+/- to PCO and UHCO

[xpothosx]

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Im deciding between these schools. Ive read about each school and cant decide. I am a TX resident so that is a big plus for UHCO.

What do you guys think, especially the people that go to these schools.

 

[cpw]

Im deciding between these schools. Ive read about each school and cant decide. I am a TX resident so that is a big plus for UHCO.

What do you guys think, especially the people that go to these schools.

UHCO + in state tuition, close to friends (and maybe family)
PCO - COST $$$ (private school tuition) , far from home


Ultimately , it's a very hard call. they're both VERY good schools. You have to decide where you'll be happy. No one can really decide for ya. Debt though is a HUGE issue unless someone's paying your way. (in which case you're very very lucky) 😉

 

[cunikki]

Im deciding between these schools. Ive read about each school and cant decide. I am a TX resident so that is a big plus for UHCO.

What do you guys think, especially the people that go to these schools.

just a quick thought; pco's program really really emphasizes clinical experiences.... they start you screening patients in the first month or so and you are required to spent 120 hours over the summer in an opt setting doing stuff like glasses... and their externship/rotation program is 1.5 years instead of 1 like many other schools....
really i would make a personal list of all pros and cons for whatever schools you are picking between; but i think that the amount of clinical experience is a huge plus; i mean; the end result of all this should be you as a qualified optometrist; able to see any patient who walks through your door
lol on the other side; pco is coooolld..... 🙂 heheh i dunno; just make a list; and seriously put all the little things on it; even weather... good food nearby; stuff to do around the city.... the people/atmosphere at each place.... 🙂

 

[christie]

If it were me, I'd go for the TX school b/c of in-state tuition, though a positive side of PCO is that you'll only spend 2.5 years in PA and can do 1.5 years of rotations in TX (with the exception of 3 months spent at TEI during your 4th year)--Good luck with your decision!

 

[Katalio]

Sorry, but whatz TEI!?
Christie, can you tell us more about the rotation issue at PCO?

Thx,
Katalio

 

[christie]

TEI is The Eye Institute. What would you like to know about the rotations? 🙂

 

[Katalio]

Well, I guess it's all around the same for every optometry school right?
do we get to choose where we go? and how long do we stay there for?
Like... I dun really get how the system works, they just send u to different places and you work there for couple months? Why do ppl leave for rotation anyways? is it because there's not program/such specific clinic in the school or?

Thx

Katalio

 

[J.opt]

I remember reading at the PCO website some time ago that their graduates were also audiologists. What do you guys know about that?

 

[Richard_Hom]

I remember reading at the PCO website some time ago that their graduates were also audiologists. What do you guys know about that?

Dear J.opt,

I think PCO also has a program of Audiologists and will graduate audiologists. They take a separate program from the optometrists.

Richard

 

[christie]

Well, I guess it's all around the same for every optometry school right?
do we get to choose where we go? and how long do we stay there for?

Yes, you can choose from a list that the school provides or set up your own site as long as it is approved by the school. Each rotation is 3 months, except for our first site, which is 5 months long. Each student must do rotations at a general site, hospital, disease, private w/ contact lens, and peds/low vision or peds/primary care.

 

[J.opt]

Dear J.opt,

I think PCO also has a program of Audiologists and will graduate audiologists. They take a separate program from the optometrists.

Richard

Yeah, that's what I thought.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

Both schools are good go to houston if you're from texas they'll prepare you for the state board better if there still is one.

 

[KaBlamO]

just a quick thought; pco's program really really emphasizes clinical experiences.... they start you screening patients in the first month or so and you are required to spent 120 hours over the summer in an opt setting doing stuff like glasses... and their externship/rotation program is 1.5 years instead of 1 like many other schools....
really i would make a personal list of all pros and cons for whatever schools you are picking between; but i think that the amount of clinical experience is a huge plus; i mean; the end result of all this should be you as a qualified optometrist; able to see any patient who walks through your door
lol on the other side; pco is coooolld..... 🙂 heheh i dunno; just make a list; and seriously put all the little things on it; even weather... good food nearby; stuff to do around the city.... the people/atmosphere at each place.... 🙂

we do that the first month? ooops, all i did was sleep in the corner. and it's 160hrs of slave labor for a month during summer.