Frequently Asked Questions

General Information
What degrees are awarded by ICO?
How much is tuition/room and board?
What is the student to faculty ratio?
What kinds of research opportunities are available to ICO students?
How does ICO prepare students for the National Boards Exams?
What percentage of students complete a residency program after graduation?
What is the Bachelor of Science in Visual Science (BSVS) degree?
Does ICO have any dual degree programs with any undergraduate institution(s)?
Is ICO accredited?
What are the functional standards for optometric education?

Application Process
Do I need to be a science major in order to apply to ICO?
Do I need a degree in order to apply?
Is there a minimum OAT score?
How long are my OAT scores valid?
What should I do if I am uncertain whether a course counts towards a prerequisite?
Do all my prerequisites need to be completed in order for the Admissions Committee to make a decision on my application?
If I took prerequisite 7 years ago, can I still use it to fulfill an ICO prerequisite?
Is it acceptable if I take all of my prerequisites at a community college?
Can you recommend a good university or college to transfer to when I finish my program at the community college level?
What is ICO looking for in a candidate?
When will the applications for the next year be available?
Can I apply online?
How long after I apply will it take to hear a response back from the Office of Admissions?
How long should I shadow in optometrist?
Are TA letters of evaluations acceptable?

Admissions & Interview Day
I have a change of address, e-mail address and have already submitted my application?
Does ICO conduct off-campus admission interviews or phone interviews?
What is the Interview Day like?
Before I come to Chicago, do you have any advice for my interview preparation?
What should I expect of the interview day and how should I prepare?

Accepted Students
What is the retention rate at ICO?
What is the externship process at ICO?
What is the pass rate for ICO students on the National Boards?
Does ICO "weed-out" students?
How safe is the area surrounding the school?
Are first year students required to live in the residential complex (RC) on campus?
If I am a new entering First Year Student, when can I expect to receive my financial aid papers and is there a deadline for applying for the following year?
When can I expect to receive housing information?
How do I notify the school of my religious observances?


General Information

What degrees are awarded by ICO?
ICO awards the degree of Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) and Bachelor of Science in Visual Science (BSVS). The College also offers a joint program with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Chicago (U of C) to obtain an O.D. degree and a Master of Science (M.S.) or an O.D. degree and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree.

How much is tuition/room and board?
The rates are as follows for the 2009-2010 Academic Year: Direct Educational Expenses

Fall, Winter, Spring Quarter (Years 1-3)
Tuition: $10,011 (per quarter)
Fees: $154

Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring Quarters: (Year 4)
Tuition: $7744 (per quarter)
Fees: $99

On-Campus Housing (per quarter/person):
Double: $628/month* + meal plan
Single:  $820/month* + meal plan
3 Bedroom: $900*
2 Bedroom: $1060*
1 Bedroom: $1342*

Meal Plan (per quarter)
132 meals per Quarter: $999 (includes $75 in Cafeteria Flex Dollars)
*Price includes high-speed wireless internet service, cable television, and all utilities: heat, air, water, and sewer. All rooms are fully furnished.

While this represents the most accurate information available at this time, it is subject to change without notice.

What is the student to faculty ratio?
The student to faculty ratio for lectures is 165:1, clinic 5:1, Labs 25-35:2 (+TA's), Academic 7:1 (including part-time faculty), Academic 11:1 (for full-time faculty).

What kinds of research opportunities are available to ICO students?
All students are required to do a research project in their third year of the curriculum. In the summer of a student’s third year, they are enrolled in a course called Evidence Based Health Care. From this course, students will have the opportunity to do their own research project. There are also opportunities to work with faculty on their research projects.

How does ICO prepare students for the National Boards Exams?
The National Board of Examiners for Optometry (NBEO) is an organization charged with the task of development and administration of standardized tests designed primarily to assess entry-level competency for different stages of a student's optometric training. We offer students study sessions that are lead by our faculty.

What percentage of students complete a residency program after graduation?
On average, 10-20% of our graduating class will go on to complete a residency program.  

What is the Bachelor of Science in Visual Science (BSVS) degree?
The BSVS degree may be awarded upon successful completion of the second professional year of study at ICO if a student’s pre-professional requirements includes one year (six semester hours) of the following (excluding courses used for admissions prerequisites): Humanities, Social Studies, and Biological Sciences. All courses must be college level with a grade of "C" or better. The courses used for admission to ICO cannot be used for the degree. Only students entering ICO without an undergraduate degree are eligible.

Does ICO have any dual degree programs with any undergraduate institution(s)?
ICO has two articulation agreements (3+4 programs) with areas colleges; one with the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and one with Augustana College. These programs are in place to assist students that know they want to go into optometry and calls for a student to complete 3 years at IIT or Augustana (completing a very rigorous schedule of courses) and meeting additional performance criteria, before starting at ICO.

Prospective students are encouraged to speak with IIT or Augustana regarding more information on the programs. Applicants are required to complete the regular admissions process at ICO. In the event you would not qualify for the 3+4 Program, you could certainly still apply for general admission to ICO after either 3 or 4 years of undergraduate credits.

Is ICO accredited?
ICO holds professional accreditation from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association, which is a member of the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The College is also accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, from which ICO received the strongest possible endorsement from an accrediting body. The degree program curriculum is also approved by the State of Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs.

What are the functional standards for optometric education?
The functional standards for optometric education were established by the Association of Schools and College of Optometry (ASCO) as a way to provide guidance to those considering optometry as a profession. Specifically, the functional standards for optometric education require the student possess appropriate abilities in the following areas: observation; communication; sensory and motor coordination; intellectual-conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities; and behavioral and social attributes. The ability to meet these standards is necessary for admission.

 
Application Process

Do I need to be a science major in order to apply to ICO?
ICO welcomes applicants of all majors. It is important for students to choose an undergraduate major they enjoy and find challenging. For students who are majoring in a non-science, be sure to carefully plan your courseloads, leaving enough room to complete ICO's prerequisites and additional upper-level human based science courses. 

Do I need a degree in order to apply?
ICO strongly encourages applicants to have a baccalaureate degree prior to enrollment. However, ICO welcomes exceptional non-degree students to apply as long as they have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours prior to enrolling.

Is there a minimum OAT score?
There is no minimum OAT score for admission. Please refer to the most recent Entering Class Profile for the average OAT score for the current first year class.

How long are my OAT scores valid?
Test scores two years older than the August 1 application start date will not be considered.

What should I do if I am uncertain whether a course counts towards a prerequisite?
Please e-mail a brief course description along with the course title and credit hours to admissions@ico.edu. The admissions staff will review it and let you know whether it will be acceptable.

Do all my prerequisites need to be completed in order for the Admissions Committee to make a decision on my application?
No, prerequisites can be pending when the Admissions Committee evaluates your application. However, an official transcript showing successful completion of all prerequisites needs to be received by our office by August 1 prior to the start of classes or a student's acceptance will be jeopardized.

If I took prerequisite 7 years ago, can I still use it to fulfill an ICO prerequisite?
Yes, however the Admissions Committee highly recommends applicant who have been out of school for an extended period of time, take upper level human-related biological science courses.

Is it acceptable if I take all of my prerequisites at a community college?
The Admissions Committee at ICO highly encourages students to take their prerequisite courses at a 4-year college/university. It is okay if a few of the prerequisites are taken at a community college, however, if all of the prerequisites are taken at a community college, the Admissions Committee expects students to continue with their studies at a 4-year college/university taking upper level human-related biological science courses.

Can you recommend a good university or college to transfer to when I finish my program at the community college level?
Any accredited four (4) year college or university is acceptable. Choosing an undergraduate institution is an individual choice and should be made with careful consideration.

What is ICO looking for in a candidate?
Throughout the admissions process, ICO’s Admissions Committee will be evaluating your application from all aspects. Your overall GPA will be considered as well as your science/math GPA. Please note, that the Admissions Committee will also examine any patterns in your grades. Also considered in the process are the results of the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). There is not a particular weight assigned to GPA and OAT scores in the admissions process; both are considered and the Committee attempts to understand how they relate to each other and what they indicate in terms of the candidate's potential for success at ICO. In addition to the "numbers-side" of your application, the Committee is also looking for applicants who have researched the field, are highly motivated, and confident that optometry is the career they want to pursue.

When will the applications for the next year be available?
Applications are available via OptomCAS July 15th preceding the application year for which you are applying. More information about the centralized application service can be found at www.optomcas.org.

Can I apply online?
Yes. ICO is proud to be a participant OptomCAS school and offer students a more efficient and convenient application process. More information about the centralized application service can be found at www.optomcas.org.

How long after I apply will it take to hear a response back from the Office of Admissions?
It takes approximately 4-6 weeks from the date that we receive your entire OptomCAS Application and ICO Supplemental Application. After the initial review of your file has been completed, the Admissions Committee may request that you schedule an interview and/or submit additional information.

How long should I shadow in optometrist?
There is no set amount of time required of you in regard to shadowing or observing an optometrist. Similarly, we are not expecting you to log your hours or know all of the technical names of equipment or jargon. Rather, the Admissions Committee wants to be satisfied that you know what the day-to-day routine and expectations of optometrists are like. They'd like to feel that you understand what it is that you're pursuing and that you are confident that you will enjoy the profession after finishing four years of school!

Are TA letters of evaluations acceptable?
No, we only accept academic letters of evaluation from a pre-health advisor or a professor that taught and graded you (preferably a science professor). We also accept academic committee letters. We do not accept letters from research supervisors.

Admissions & Interview Day

I have a change of address, e-mail address and have already submitted my application?
It is very important that you keep the Admissions Office up-to-date on any address or email change. Please e-mail any changes to admissions@ico.edu. The Admissions Committee will send the majority of communication via e-mail. We strongly suggest that you add our address to your email contacts to ensure all messages are delivered to your inbox and not filtered to a junk or bulk mail folder.

Does ICO conduct off-campus admission interviews or phone interviews?
No, we do not conduct off-campus or phone interviews.

What is the Interview Day like?
The Interview Day usually starts at 9:15 and will last until approximately 2:30 p.m. The day will consist of a file review, a financial aid overview, an interview with a faculty or a member of the Admissions Committee, followed by a tour of our campus and lunch.

Before I come to Chicago, do you have any advice for my interview preparation?
During the interview we are trying to assess your interest in the profession, understanding of the profession and current issues, ability to communicate and your motivation and sincerity to enter the profession of optometry. The best thing you can do to prepare for your interview is to be yourself. Think of the day as your opportunity to learn more about ICO and come prepared with any questions you might have.

What should I expect of the interview day and how should I prepare?
Interview day is an exploratory opportunity to visit the campus and meet current students, faculty, and staff, as well as participate in an interview to gain more information about the College. In addition to the interview, applicants are given a tour of ICO’s campus, and then enjoy a lunch with student hosts, which is a great opportunity to get a student’s perspective on ICO. Applicants should come prepared to answer questions about their background and education, why they are applying to ICO, and what sets them apart from other candidates. To better prepare for the interview day, applicants are encouraged to stay up-to-date on industry news by reading optometry and health-related journals, Web sites, and current news articles. Though a minimum number of shadow hours is not required, before their interview, applicants should have shadowed an optometrist and have a general understanding of the profession.

Accepted Students

What is the retention rate at ICO?
Total student retention during the 2008-2009 academic year was 98.7%. ICO’s faculty and administration are dedicated to providing both a challenging and supportive environment for all students. Any student that leaves the program prior to their scheduled graduation date (4 years) for any reason is included in reported attrition data; this may include maternity leaves, family or health emergencies, and academic difficulties.

What is the externship process at ICO?
Externships are a large part of the fourth year clinical education at ICO. There are externships all across the United States as well as outside of the country. Currently, ICO students spend two of their four possible quarter rotations away from ICO. One of those rotations must be spent at a Veterans Administration Hospital. ICO students are required to spend one quarter rotation at the Illinois Eye Institute and the final quarter rotation may be spent at the Illinois Eye Institute or away from ICO.

A key component to the externship program is to provide the student with a varied and diverse experience in all of optometry's specialized areas such as primary care, contact lenses, pediatrics/binocular vision, advanced care, and low vision rehabilitation. Many of the externship sites involve multidisciplinary care which is instrumental in developing well-rounded clinicians.

The selection process for the externship involves the student making site selections based on their preferences and matching their needs to fulfill curriculum hours needed for graduation. The selection process is random to allow for fairness to all students involved. There is some flexibility in the process to allow students to switch sites before the schedule is finalized. All students, regardless of marital status, should plan on being away from the Chicago area for externship.

Please see the listing of externships for an idea of available sites. Since the program is continually growing and changing, new sites might be added by the time you make your selections during your third professional year.

What is the pass rate for ICO students on the National Boards?

The National Board of Examiners for Optometry (NBEO) is an organization charged with the task of development and administration of standardized tests designed primarily to assess entry-level competency for different stages of a student's optometric training. Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) students are allowed to take Part I of the examination at its earliest offering in March of their Third Professional Year as long as they are in good academic standing (2.25 cumulative GPA) at the time of test registration. Some optometry programs differ on when they feel their students are prepared to take this examination and place limits on when they will allow their students to sit for the examination.

The following are ICO student pass rates compared to the national average for the first offering of each examination in the years indicated:

Please note there was no Part 1 BS exam in 2008, and that the exam given in March of 2009 was the newly revised Applied Basic Science exam (new Part I)

Please note:
While we are very proud that ICO student performance on all parts of the examination typically run above the national average, NBEO performance of previous students is only one measure of an optometry program. All applicants are encouraged to use this data in the appropriate context when evaluating this and other programs

Does ICO "weed-out" students?
No, ICO does not seek to "weed-out" a single student we accept. So much time and energy goes into selecting the candidates we believe are the most qualified to become optometrists, it makes no sense for us to plan to eliminate anyone from the program once they begin. It is in the College's and the student's best interest for every accepted student to graduate!

We do recognize that the curriculum is challenging, and realize that some students benefit from assistance beyond class and laboratory involvement. For these reasons, ICO has an academic enrichment program in place to help. Services such as review sessions, one-on-one and group tutoring, academic advising and study skills enhancement programming are offered at no additional cost to ICO students. It is our desire to retain every single student that we accept, and see them graduate with an O.D. degree.

Having said that, it is also important to realize there have to be academic standards. ICO's academic standards are indeed high. Do we do this to make life hard on our students or to encourage dropping out? Quite the contrary, we are mindful of our obligations to the future of the profession of Optometry and to the quality of care afforded patients. We will not compromise those obligations by lowering the academic standards. We hope that by maintaining high academic standards our graduates will be prepared to provide the best care possible.

How safe is the area surrounding the school?
ICO's neighbor immediately to the west is the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), so there are lots of students in the neighborhood. We have a College Security Force, which is staffed by professional officers with considerable experience in law enforcement who are on duty 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Closed circuit TV monitors are used for surveillance of parking areas and the surrounding College property. IIT also has security that patrols the area and there is a police station close by with which we have an excellent relationship.

Like any urban environment, everyone must make common sense decisions when living in a city. Please give us a call if this is something you would like to learn more about and we will send you a copy of our Campus Security Report.

Are first year students required to live in the residential complex (RC) on campus?
No, however it is recommend especially if you live out of state. It is the best place for a new student to study, make friends, and adapt to professional school and the city.

If I am a new entering First Year Student, when can I expect to receive my financial aid papers and is there a deadline for applying for the following year?
Applicants will begin the financial aid process on their interview day. Students can apply for financial aid anytime, however, we advise to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible. Prompt responses for any requests for information from the Student Financial Services Office will ensure a smooth process.

When can I expect to receive housing information?
Accepted students will receive information on housing (RC) in the spring (usually the end of April) preceding the upcoming academic year.

How do I notify the school of my religious observances?
Requests for accommodations due to religious observances should be submitted to the Assistant Dean for Academic Administration and Registrar within the first week of the Fall quarter of the first professional year. A letter must be provided by a religious leader (pastor, rabbi, priest, etc.) indicating your religious affiliation and describing your observance. The Illinois College of Optometry will make every effort to provide fair and equitable accommodations. As a health care educational institution that provides visual care for our patients seven days a week, it is inevitable that students should expect quarter(s) with weekend requirements, thus the need for this notification for such consideration well in advance.