School Selection Help:New England college of Optometry VS. Salus (philadelphia)

[texasholdems]

hey guys
i was recently lucky enough to get in for New England College of Optometry in Boston, Pennsylvania College of Optometry in PA, and Eastern Arizona college of optometry in Arizona.

just wanted some general feedback, if there's students from these institutions.
I'm from NJ, so probably the choice wil run down to New England or PCO.
I do feel that Boston offers a bit more hands on experience/opportunities (what i learned through interview...) than Salus in PCO...comparing the general environment around school and etc.

However, living expenses in Boston would be much higher (used to live in Boston for a period) than Pennsylvania.

any thoughts / comments would be appreciated

thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Meibomian SxN]

hey guys
i was recently lucky enough to get in for New England College of Optometry in Boston, Pennsylvania College of Optometry in PA, and Eastern Arizona college of optometry in Arizona.

just wanted some general feedback, if there's students from these institutions.
I'm from NJ, so probably the choice wil run down to New England or PCO.
I do feel that Boston offers a bit more hands on experience/opportunities (what i learned through interview...) than Salus in PCO...comparing the general environment around school and etc.

However, living expenses in Boston would be much higher (used to live in Boston for a period) than Pennsylvania.

any thoughts / comments would be appreciated

thanks!

How does NECO offer more "hands on experience" than PCO? I would believe PCO has more clinical experience than most of the schools because of their curriculum change. Also PCO's eye clinic sees far more patients than NECO's.

Each school has their pros & cons, but I will say PCO has a very strong clinical program.

 

[lizzylou]

Hi Texasholdems,

I go to NECO and love it! I was in your situation 2 years ago when I applied too. My decision was between both PCO and NECO. Being a girl, a lot of it came down to a safety issue. I just knew that personally I wouldn't feel safe in Philly, but that doesn't mean PCO is a bad school; it just wasn't the right fit for me.
I don't know about PCO's clinical experience, but I can tell you a little about NECO's. As a 1st year you go on approximately 10 screenings to local elementary schools and perform entrance tests. I liked this aspect because 1) it made me more comfortable with kids (Big fear of mine!) 2) it helped reassure me that I really chose the right profession. (I got cold feet about optometry school when I saw my first tuition statement.) Second year, you go to a clinic site one afternoon a week. Some of them are at NECO's clinic, but many are at private practices and hospitals throughout the city. Third year you have much less class and are in clinic about 3 full days per week mostly at community health centers and some at NEEI. Fourth year, you are at different sites all over the country (and world) basically performing full exams. NECO has a nice way of easing you into clinic, because I'll tell you right now, it's kinda scary and really intimidating when you see your first patient on your own!
As for whose clinic sees more patients, I really don't think that's all that important. Many of the school-run clinics see middle-class, I'm-just-here-for-an-updated-perscription, insured patients = pretty boring. I mean you'll get to do lots of refraction and contacts and stuff. I personally really liked a lot of our outside clinics and health centers because you see lots of different patients. Many ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and a variety of ages! Also the VAs have tons and tons of ocular disease (mostly AMD, glaucoma, and DM).
You've got a tough decision on your hands! No one can make it for you, but I would look for a school with a strong cirriculum (not just Boards-oriented) and one with a diverse clinical program -- you never know what will interest you after you get into the 'meat' of you classes. I hope my description of NECO's cirriculum was helpful. Best of luck to you!

 

[Oogilily]

That sounds like a lot of patient interaction. At Pacific U. we go on 1 screening a semester (so 2 or 3 per year depending if you have summer semester that year). No clinic at all 2nd year. 3rd year we have one half day per week in clinic doing full exams (usually two 2-hour exams during that time).

Question for you at NECO: Do you see your own patients 2nd year? And the 3 full days of clinic in 3rd year are you doing full exams?

 

[JAZZEYE]

Definitely... PCO if clinical experience is your priority.
You will see a lot of pathology in North Philly Eye Institute.

Living expense...neither are cheap.

Is it safe ?
The School and immediate surrounding area of PCO... yes.
The Clinic...hmmm, I would say its safe... you just have to have a some street smarts, or at least a little common sense.

The most dangerous thing for you "texasholdems 😎" is how close you'll be to the Poker Rooms in Pa. and Atlantic City !

You wouldn't be the first student who got all twisted. 🙁

 

[nestorua]

Im on the same boat as you. I got accepted for the Fall of 2015 into Salus and NECO. im from Philly and what they say about all of Philly being rough is B.S. The Clinic is located in a rough part of town but if you go there do your business and leave, you will be fine. Just always act like you know what you're doing and you wont raise local suspicions and get targeted, even if you are truly clueless....

But back on topic I liked NECO a lot more. I felt more at ease and welcomed than I did in Philly but I will probably end up going to Salus since it would come out 20k/year cheaper for me.

 

[KHE]

Im on the same boat as you. I got accepted for the Fall of 2015 into Salus and NECO. im from Philly and what they say about all of Philly being rough is B.S. The Clinic is located in a rough part of town but if you go there do your business and leave, you will be fine. Just always act like you know what you're doing and you wont raise local suspicions and get targeted, even if you are truly clueless....

But back on topic I liked NECO a lot more. I felt more at ease and welcomed than I did in Philly but I will probably end up going to Salus since it would come out 20k/year cheaper for me.

If you are talking about saving $80,000 over the course of your education, you are absolutely making the right choice to stay in Philadelphia.

 

[hello07]

Congratulations on your acceptance to all three Optometry schools. Great beginning as you embark on your road to becoming an optometrist.


Blessings to you!