SCCO vs Midwestern (IL) vs NOVA

[deleted810749]

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Any inputs on these three schools? I have to decide in a week and I'm having hard time which one I should pick. I feel like this is one of the important choices I would have in my life.

People are saying that it is all about tuition, clinic site and location when it comes to choice of school. My top two choices were Midwestern and SCCO. I didn't think I would get accepted to both. Nova joined my list when I realized that the living cost including tuition is a lot cheaper than the other two.

Tuition & Cost : NOVA
$6000 cheaper per year compared to the other two. Also the living cost would be about 15% lower.
I estimated that I would save at least $40k to live in Florida and attend NOVA. Probably the smartest choice since I'm almost 30- gotta save money for house in future. However, I hate Florida weather. I prefer mountains over beaches.

Clinic Site : Midwestern
I visited Midwestern in Downers Grove, IL when I was having the interview there. They just finished building a separate building for optometry, it was huge. Amazing campus, brand new equipment and nice-huge clinic site. I know that Midwestern Optometry is originally from Arizona, but it is still a new program as 2018 will be their 2nd year. The school is preliminary accredited which will be accredited when students graduate in 2021. I used to live in Chicago, so I am kinda familiar with the area. I want to go here but I'm not sure. I feel like its risky. Also, estimated cost to attend this school is more expensive than SCCO which is in California (I don't understand why when tuition is the same)

Location: SCCO
Always wanted to live in California. I will never have chance to live in California because I am planning to move back to my hometown North Carolina after graduation. It was my dream to settle there but probably won't happen since it's very saturated over there. Also SCCO is very well-known school for optometry, anything wouldn't go wrong if I attend this school.

 

[monica__t_]

I was going to suggest to make a pro/con list, but it seems like you already kind of have one going on here. I fell in love with NOVA and knew that it would be my choice - obviously the lower tuition is a plus, but I also enjoy the beach so that was an important factor for me. You don't want to go somewhere you'll be miserable, but at the same time saving that much money might be worth it if that'll be an issue that'll stress you out in the long run. Reading your descriptions, it seems like you're most worried about Midwestern (with good reason) since its new and only preliminary accredited, so that might bring your choice down between two. Either way, they're all good schools and you'll get the education you need to be successful so try to narrow down which factors are most important for you personally.

 

[deleted810749]

I was going to suggest to make a pro/con list, but it seems like you already kind of have one going on here. I fell in love with NOVA and knew that it would be my choice - obviously the lower tuition is a plus, but I also enjoy the beach so that was an important factor for me. You don't want to go somewhere you'll be miserable, but at the same time saving that much money might be worth it if that'll be an issue that'll stress you out in the long run. Reading your descriptions, it seems like you're most worried about Midwestern (with good reason) since its new and only preliminary accredited, so that might bring your choice down between two. Either way, they're all good schools and you'll get the education you need to be successful so try to narrow down which factors are most important for you personally.

Hey, thank you Monica.

It's funny because Midwestern is actually the school that I want to go to but I'm just worried about the whole accreditation situation. Midwestern is well-known school for many other medical fields including optometry in Arizona (also new but accredited) so I SHOULDN'T worry about the school getting the accreditation but you know.. WHAT IF?

 

[WhyNeedAName]

Hi. I'm not only saying this because I go to Nova, but as someone from south Florida, since I see the only reason why you would not go to a great school is because of the beaches here.
Nova does use the lovely weather and beaches to attract applicants here, but I can tell you there is so much more to south Florida than the beaches. There's the culture aspect of here. We are known as the gateway to Latin America, and you will see the Caribbean and South American cultures so greatly, you will forget there's a beach about 20min away from you. It seems hard to believe, but I know some people who has never went to the beach here, and it's totally fine. A video I can suggest for you to watch that captures a more realistic side of South Florida compared to others is The Try Guys Try Cuban Miami.
For Midwestern, I personally wouldn't risk it with a school with iffy accreditation. Especially since it isn't the cheaper option, I would shell out more money than needed for something bad to happen.
I hope this helps you narrow your choices!

 

[deleted810749]

Hi. I'm not only saying this because I go to Nova, but as someone from south Florida, since I see the only reason why you would not go to a great school is because of the beaches here.
Nova does use the lovely weather and beaches to attract applicants here, but I can tell you there is so much more to south Florida than the beaches. There's the culture aspect of here. We are known as the gateway to Latin America, and you will see the Caribbean and South American cultures so greatly, you will forget there's a beach about 20min away from you. It seems hard to believe, but I know some people who has never went to the beach here, and it's totally fine. A video I can suggest for you to watch that captures a more realistic side of South Florida compared to others is The Try Guys Try Cuban Miami.
For Midwestern, I personally wouldn't risk it with a school with iffy accreditation. Especially since it isn't the cheaper option, I would shell out more money than needed for something bad to happen.
I hope this helps you narrow your choices!

Thank you for your input. I totally agree that South Florida has so much more than just beaches. I have visited there and it was fun. In fact, I'm going to Orlando next week for our timeshare. However, I disagree with the weather in Florida though. Personally I hated the weather there, I couldn't breathe because it was so humid. I guess I would get used to it if I live there. I know it's funny to bring this up as 28 years old, my father actually is very against me going to Florida especially Miami area because of all the hurricane and stuff. I tried to convince him that it's fine and it will be, but he is a stubborn man. But I get what he's coming from. Since he would be supporting me financially, I would listen to him.

 

[Shebsssss]

Any inputs on these three schools? I have to decide in a week and I'm having hard time which one I should pick. I feel like this is one of the important choices I would have in my life.

People are saying that it is all about tuition, clinic site and location when it comes to choice of school. My top two choices were Midwestern and SCCO. I didn't think I would get accepted to both. Nova joined my list when I realized that the living cost including tuition is a lot cheaper than the other two.

Tuition & Cost : NOVA
$6000 cheaper per year compared to the other two. Also the living cost would be about 15% lower.
I estimated that I would save at least $40k to live in Florida and attend NOVA. Probably the smartest choice since I'm almost 30- gotta save money for house in future. However, I hate Florida weather. I prefer mountains over beaches.

Clinic Site : Midwestern
I visited Midwestern in Downers Grove, IL when I was having the interview there. They just finished building a separate building for optometry, it was huge. Amazing campus, brand new equipment and nice-huge clinic site. I know that Midwestern Optometry is originally from Arizona, but it is still a new program as 2018 will be their 2nd year. The school is preliminary accredited which will be accredited when students graduate in 2021. I used to live in Chicago, so I am kinda familiar with the area. I want to go here but I'm not sure. I feel like its risky. Also, estimated cost to attend this school is more expensive than SCCO which is in California (I don't understand why when tuition is the same)

Location: SCCO
Always wanted to live in California. I will never have chance to live in California because I am planning to move back to my hometown North Carolina after graduation. It was my dream to settle there but probably won't happen since it's very saturated over there. Also SCCO is very well-known school for optometry, anything wouldn't go wrong if I attend this school.

Hello! I actually have an interview at Midwestern IL and was wondering if you had any insight on the interview and if it was open or closed file? I’m nervous since it’s my first interview, so anything would help! Thank you