State without an optometry school

[oo0Archangel0oo]

Hello, guys. I live in Washington and my state does not have an optometry school. Right now I am in the process of researching schools and finding out what my options are when it comes to cost. This has become difficult because there are so many factors when looking at cost. For example, instead of just looking at the cost of tuition you should also look at the cost of living in that area. In addition, some schools allow you to apply as a resident and pay in state tuition for the second through fourth year. And then there is the option of applying to a private school to keep costs down instead of paying for out of state tuition all four years for schools that do not allow you to apply for residency.

I was wondering if there are any pre-optometry/optometry students out there who do/did not have optometry schools in their state and how you chose your optometry schools.

I understand that reputation is also important when it comes to applying for a school, but for now, I would like to just focus on cost. It is a huge investment! Thanks

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[Boundless]

Hello. I am from South Carolina and the closest school to me is two states away. I believe some schools are part of a program where your resident state will pay a portion of your tuition if you agree to work there after graduation.

An important factor for me, besides cost, is where could I see myself living at for four years? I want to experience something different, which is why I applied to schools in the Northeast. Is there any part of the country you always wanted to live in?

There is also a school in Oregon, if you wanted to stay close to home. Schools in the south/west generally have lower costs of living than those in major cities up north.

I hope that helps you.

 

[oo0Archangel0oo]

Thanks, Boundless! Yes, I was planning on applying to Pacific. Mainly because it is close and I would like to continue living in the Pacific Northwest. For some reason all the optometrists I've shadowed keep telling me that it is a very expensive school to go to and that I should look at other schools. I didn't know that my resident state could pay for part of my tuition if I agree to come back and work there. I'll look into it. Thanks again! This advice is very helpful for me!

 

[Rain Clouds]

Unfortunately, Washington State will *not* pay for you to go out of state to go to school.

http://www.wsac.wa.gov/PayingForCollege/StateAid/WICHE
"Due to budget cuts, applications will not be accepted in the upcoming year."

Didn't when I was applying to optometry school (also from WA). And probably won't any time in the near future. 🙁

I am at ICO right now. Honestly, where you go is an investment of four years of your life, I wouldn't just go to Pacific "because it's close", I would choose it because you love the school.

 

[drumstix]

Unfortunately, Washington State will *not* pay for you to go out of state to go to school.

http://www.wsac.wa.gov/PayingForCollege/StateAid/WICHE
"Due to budget cuts, applications will not be accepted in the upcoming year."

Didn't when I was applying to optometry school (also from WA). And probably won't any time in the near future. 🙁

I am at ICO right now. Honestly, where you go is an investment of four years of your life, I wouldn't just go to Pacific "because it's close", I would choose it because you love the school.

How do you like ICO?? Is the Chicago weather too cold for you? I'm also from the Pacific NW and have been curious to know how my fellow Northwesterners are doing in Chicago and other east coast schools. I am thinking of applying to ICO, NECO, and maybe one or so other east coast schools but have been discouraged about the cold climates there during their long winters. I hate the cold!

 

[oo0Archangel0oo]

I really do like Pacific's optometry program. I've shadowed an optometrist who teaches there and if all the professors who teach there are anything like her, I would be so happy! I really do love the school, so I'm not applying there just because it is close but also because I love the area and the way the school presents itself. But again, it is an expensive school.

And I second Drumstix's question. ICO has been on my radar for some time and I would like to know how you like it there. 🙂

 

[Rain Clouds]

ICO is awesome. 🙂 Here are just a few things...

- I can't imagine a better clinic and patient population than what you will see at ICO. I'm just in my first year, and I've seen a ton of pathology and ocular disease that I'm pretty sure you would never come across in a lot of other schools during your first year.
- Huge alumni network. More importantly, huge and very supportive alumni network.
- Incredibly collaborative student body. I think this is probably both a function of size and also the kind of people that ICO tends to accept into the program.

Facilities etc. are all great, our practice lanes are great. Honestly, there are a lot of great schools out there, but ICO is again... pretty much awesome.

Yeah, the weather kinda sucks (anything that isn't West Coast weather sucks, though, you learn that pretty fast!) but the city is fantastic. One thing you learn about Chicago is that half of everyone is transplanted from somewhere else, so there are a lot of people from California, Florida, Texas, etc. that you do all your cold weather bellyachin' with, get it out of your system, then let yourself enjoy the city. Almost 10 million people live in the Chicagoland area, and hey, we all get through winter together.

Glad you love a professor out in Pacific. Good luck on your coming decisions!