Illinois College of Optometry
The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) is the oldest continually operating facility in the world dedicated solely to optometric clinical education. It was founded by Dr. Henry Olin in 1872 and continues to this day to offer a comprehensive curriculum that is supported by extensive clinical experience and excellent facilities. It is located at 3241 S Michigan, Chicago, Illinois 60616 and can be reached through telephone number 312-949-7000.
Admission to ICO is competitive thus early applications are highly encouraged. ICO only offers graduate level programs so applicants are expected to have completed at least 90 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework or have earned a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. They should have also successfully completed the required Pre-Optometry curriculum and the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). Transcripts of international students usually need to be submitted for a course-by-course analysis. The latest admission statistics would show that out of a total of 922 applicants, 406 have been interviewed and 165 are presently enrolled.
ICO awards the degree of Bachelor of Science in Visual Science (BSVS) and Doctor of Optometry (O.D.). Completing the latter program provides its graduates the opportunity to advance their clinical training through various residency programs. Clinical education in ICO is facilitated mainly through its on-site clinical training facility – the Illinois Eye Institute. This facility has 61 fully-equipped examination lanes that provide ICO students the critical exposure and experience that would develop them as competent clinicians. Students are also given access to Eyepod and Adams Center for Clinical Learning, two state-of-the-art facilities that raise the standard of optometric teaching. ICO’s affiliation with University of Chicago’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences exposes its students to a wide range of patient health care delivery systems.
Approximate costs of attendance are as follows: $ 49,642.00 for the first year, $ 51,375.00 for the second year, $ 61,983.00 for the third year and $ 56,295.00 for the fourth year. These amounts would more or less include tuition, fees, books, room and board, transportation and externship expenses.
For more information about admissions, financial aid or online learning opportunities such as distance education degree programs and online classes, please contact the Illinois College of Optometry.
