New England College of Optometry - NECO

424 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02115 Phone: 800-824-5526 Fax: 617-587-5550 Email: admissions@neco.edu http://www.neco.edu

The New England College of Optometry (NECO) was established in 1894 and is one of the oldest and biggest institutions to offer training in optometry. The college is associated with the New England Eye Institute (NEEI) and the Center for the International Advancement of Optometry, which makes it one of the few to have such a diverse international optometric program, and is popular for foreign optometrists looking to study in the United States. The college accepts over a 100 students into its Doctor of Optometry degree every year, and has a total enrollment of over 400 students, with 25% of the enrolled students coming from foreign countries.

The New England College of Optometry has several options for its education of eye professionals by offering several degree programs and residency training. The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Optometry, a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.), a dual degree option for a Master of Science in Vision Science and Doctor of Optometry degree, and honorary degrees of Doctor of Ocular Science and Doctor of Humane Letters. The New England College of Optometry also has a 2 year Accelerated Doctor of Optometry Program for applicants who already hold a doctoral degree in science. Their Advanced Standing International Program really makes the school stand out among other optometry schools, by offering a better option for foreign students. Postgraduate residency is also available in special areas like ocular disease, geriatrics, cornea, and pediatrics.

The 2008 first year class numbers had 739 applicants with 115 selected into the program. The mean GPA for the applicants was 3.24 and the mean OAT score for Total Sciences was 337. One hundred and seven of the selected held bachelor’s degrees, while only 2 had no degree.

Tuition

The tuition and fees for the 2009-2010 academic year for the 4 year OD program was $142,911, with tuition set at $33,864 per year. The tuition for the accelerated program and international program was $79,060. Please check the school for updated and accurate tuition and fees.

Education Requirements

The New England College of Optometry does not require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree, but does require at least 3 years of undergraduate work to enter the Doctor of Optometry program. Undergraduate work must fulfill the school’s prerequisite courses, which includes 2 semesters of Chemistry, 1 semester of Organic Chemistry, 2 semesters of Physics, Calculus, and a few others which may be updated in the future.

For its Accelerated Doctor of Optometry Program (AODP), applicants must already hold a doctorate-level degree in a science or medicine, show high marks in previous graduate studies, and have a strong desire in optometry.

For applicants wanting to enroll in the Advanced Standing International Program (ASIP), they must have a degree from an optometry school recognized by the International Optometric and Optical League, and have a minimum of 2 years full-time optometric clinical experience completed within 4 years prior to the application.

Admissions Checklist

• School of Optometry Application- OptomCAS
• Essay/Personal Statement
• Official academic transcripts
• OAT Scores
• 2 Letters of recommendation - faculty members
• Official TOEFL score report (for applicants with degree from a non-US institution)

2008 ICO Entering Class Profile

• Total Applications: 2008
• Number of Applicants Accepted: 739
• Number of Students Enrolled: 211
• # of Enrolled with Bachelors degree: 115
• # of Males Enrolled: 31
• # of Females Enrolled: 84
• # of States Represented: 29
• Overall Average GPA: 3.34
• Average OAT AA Score: 337
• Average OAT Total Science Score: 331
• # of Residents Applied: 0
• # of Residents Accepted: 0
• # of Non-residents Applied:0
• # of Non-residents Accepted:0
• Residents 1st Year Tuition and Fees: $32252
• Non-residents 1st Year Tuition and Fees: $32252
• Offers Advanced Standing: No

New England College of Optometry Residency

New England College of Optometry Residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses - Boston, MA

New England College of Optometry Residency in Pediatric Optometry - Boston, MA

Affiliated Optometric Residency

Newington VA Residency in Primary Care - Newington, CT

West Haven VA Residency in Primary Eye Care / Low Vision Rehabilitation - West Haven, CT

Boston VA at Jamaica Plain Residency in Ocular Disease / Primary Eye Care - Boston, MA

Brockton VA Residency in Ocular Disease / Primary Eye Care - Brockton, MA

West Roxbury Residency in Ocular Disease / Primary Eye Care - West Roxbury, MA

Worcester VA Residency in Ocular Disease / Primary Eye Care - Brockton, MA

Manchester VA Residency in Ocular Disease - Manchester, NH

White River Junction VA Residency in Primary Eye Care / Ocular Disease - White River Junction, VT

Togus VA Residency in Primary Care - Augusta, ME

ENR VA Residency in Primary Eye Care / Geriatric Optometry - Bedford, MA

Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston Residency in Ocular Disease - Boston, MA

Dorchester House Multi-Service Center Residency in Community Health Optometry - Dorchester, MA

Dimock Community Health Center Residency in Community Health Optometry - Roxbury, MA