Admissions

Recruitment Events

ICO representatives visit dozens of sites across the U.S. and Canada. We’d love to meet you! Refer to the list below to see when we’ll be in your area.

There are no recruitment events scheduled for this time. Please continue to check this page for updates.

VIRTUAL FAIR

ILLINOIS

TEXAS

Focus on Your Future

This week-long summer program introduces ICO and the profession of optometry to underrepresented minority undergraduates. Participants meet ICO staff, faculty, students and alumni, see our facilities, and get to know Chicago.

Focus on Your Future includes sample lectures from real ICO courses, an overview of the admissions process, career and leadership development, clinical exposure, and student and OD panels. At the end of the program, participants receive a certificate of completion. To get a better idea of the week’s activities, take a peek at a previous year’s agenda.

Eligibility

FoYF is open to underrepresented minorities who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program either in their first, second, or third year. We also accept applications for students who are enrolled in a community college, post-baccalaureate, or graduate program.

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Cost

There is no cost to participate in this program. Participants are only responsible for their travel expenses and/or transportation to and from ICO. Participants are housed at no charge in ICO’s Residential Complex.

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Application

For the 2020 session, we are accepting applications Tuesday, December 1, 2020 – Friday, May 14, 2021. Applicants will be notified of acceptance starting April 30, 2021.

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The program dates are are July 12 - 16, 2021. The program will be held virtually this year.

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Students interested in the program must submit the following to our office (preferably in one envelope):

• Online application

• Pre-optometry coursework sheet

• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (official electronic transcripts sent directly from the school are accepted)

• One letter of academic recommendation from a faculty member or advisor

• Optional: 2×2 photo

Mailing Address:

Office of Admissions
c/o Teisha Johnson, FoYF
Illinois College of Optometry
3241 S. Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60616

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For questions about Focus on Your Future, please contact Senior Director of Admissions/Marketing Teisha Johnson at 312-949-7400 or tjohnson@ico.edu.

ICO Webinars

Our live webinars cover a wide range of topics- admission to ICO, student life, financial aid, life after graduation, and more. To register for a webinar, view past webinars, or review upcoming webinars, please visit our Webinars Page. 

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