What are key things that you should look for when deciding which school to go to

[Od_IT]

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As the question states in the title: What are key things that you should look for when deciding which optometry school to go to?

 

[EyeWitness]

As the question states in the title: What are key things that you should look for when deciding which optometry school to go to?

PRICE! none of that crazy talk about where will you be most happy for four years at.

 

[Od_IT]

its almost the same across all schools... you gonna be in debt 150k-200k.

 

[sportsdude00]

its almost the same across all schools... you gonna be in debt 150k-200k.

Not if you go in state, or get a seat with in state tuition, or go to SCO.

 

[zyg0te]

its almost the same across all schools... you gonna be in debt 150k-200k.

Where are you getting these numbers from?
(not saying they aren't accurate)

 

[Od_IT]

I don't want to aim this topic on cost alone. Here is a brief run down how I see it. Lets disregard instate tuition and look at the costs for out of state, which I assume applies to most applicants. According to Profile_of_Entering_Class_2008.pdf from opted.org, lets say the average is about 26k (+3k or -3k) tuition alone, now you factor in books, equipment, food, rent, and transportation. That alone can push you to 34k easily, in most cases over 40k, or even some school propose: ~50k pco, ~50k western, neco, an ICO ~34k(rent not included), indiana ~50k. etc etc.

so if you add it all up (4 years) you will likely be in the 150-200k debt range, given that you are out of state and including all factors mentioned above.

Anyways, I don't want to go in and estimate for each schools cost and get nit picky about it. Lets disregard costs for the sake of this topic.

 

[EyEnStein 07]

location, board passing rates

also probably affiliations for residency and types offered.

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

Strength of clinic, diversity of patient base, externship opportunities, educational facilities, location, etc.

 

[zyg0te]

I don't want to aim this topic on cost alone. Here is a brief run down how I see it. Lets disregard instate tuition and look at the costs for out of state, which I assume applies to most applicants. According to Profile_of_Entering_Class_2008.pdf from opted.org, lets say the average is about 26k (+3k or -3k) tuition alone, now you factor in books, equipment, food, rent, and transportation. That alone can push you to 34k easily, in most cases over 40k, or even some school propose: ~50k pco, ~50k western, neco, an ICO ~34k(rent not included), indiana ~50k. etc etc.

so if you add it all up (4 years) you will likely be in the 150-200k debt range, given that you are out of state and including all factors mentioned above.

Anyways, I don't want to go in and estimate for each schools cost and get nit picky about it. Lets disregard costs for the sake of this topic.

Financial aid, scholarships, working wages, etc. should be taken into account as well to determine the actual debt. Of course it will all be guestimating w/o any real data.

Costs
Clinical experience
Atmosphere - how students interact w/ eachother and w/ instructors
Pass rates
Location.

In that order.

 

[KHE]

As the question states in the title: What are key things that you should look for when deciding which optometry school to go to?

1) The opportunity to work with a diverse patient base within the schools own clinics, not just on 4th year extern sites.
2) Cost
3) A place where you will be comfortable living for 4 years while getting your ass pummeled.

 

[EyeWitness]

A place where you will be comfortable living for 4 years while getting your ass pummeled.

What exactly constitutes getting our asses pummeled? Is passing really that difficult?

 

[JMU07]

A place where you will be comfortable living for 4 years while getting your ass pummeled.

What exactly constitutes getting our asses pummeled? Is passing really that difficult?

It is for some people. It's hard work and you will have days where you feel like you'd rather get hit by a truck than go to school or study! There are always those people who breeze through it without any effort, but I think the majority of us are putting a lot of blood, sweat and tears into OD school.

 

[jymezg]

Along with all the good reasons that have been stated thus far. I think you should also consider the default rate of the previous graduating classes. Can't make a living if your not payin those loans!

Just my .02 cents 😎

 

[JeffChou]

1) The opportunity to work with a diverse patient base within the schools own clinics, not just on 4th year extern sites.
2) Cost
3) A place where you will be comfortable living for 4 years while getting your ass pummeled.

I agree. #1 was a major factor for me.

#3 Is becoming apparent throughout my first year. There are people who will say it's not so bad. Do not expect optometry school to be anything close to even a jog in the park. I went to a top tier school with a challenging science curriculum. I survived that and passed the OAT with only 2 of the sections below the 90th percentile. This first year at ICO feels like sprinting a marathon. If you are accepted, you can and probably will get through it, but you will most likely feel worked like a mule with 2-3 tests a week, labs, and other random assignments.

If you are one of the minority and are a genius, maybe you won't feel like it's that bad. If you're normal, then you'll have to manage your time well. I had the luxury of free time to get A's in undergrad. Now, free time is a scarcity so passing becomes much more difficult to do.

To illustrate: Take this, learn in 10 weeks. Repeat 9x. Then do externships. Study and take national boards (3), do the same for licensing exams.

 

[zyg0te]

Along with all the good reasons that have been stated thus far. I think you should also consider the default rate of the previous graduating classes. Can't make a living if your not payin those loans!

Just my .02 cents 😎

How could we possibly find this information?

 

[JMU07]

How could we possibly find this information?

Call the schools' financial aid depts. and ask them. I know that SCO has a 0% default rate, not sure about any others.

 

[jymezg]

How could we possibly find this information?

Def call the schools your looking at and ask. I know SCO has a placement service they use to give grads job opportunities and I'm sure this helps with the default rate of their graduates. I'm sure other schools have this as well, but a good placement service may be a life saver if your job you have lined up after graduation falls through. Just something else to consider in your opt school decision.

I know that SCO has a 0% default rate,

oot oot!!!

 

[jymezg]

Another thing I'd ad to the list of consideration is PARKING and Transportation. I had an average hour commute during undergrad because there was no parking available on campus, im really looking forward to my 15 minute commute in opt school. 😀

 

[JMU07]

Another thing I'd ad to the list of consideration is PARKING and Transportation. I had an average hour commute during undergrad because there was no parking available on campus, im really looking forward to my 15 minute commute in opt school. 😀

It's so awesome having a guaranteed parking spot - so different from undergrad!! I've heard some optometry schools charge extra on top of tuition for parking passes. Thankfully we don't do that, and there are always parking spaces to spare (even if you're late)! 😀 I live out east and even for me it's 15-20 minutes to get there. Not too bad.

 

[Od_IT]

Thanks everyone for your feedback! 🙂