Any info on Pacific?

This forum made possible through the generous support of
SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Pacific University College of Optometry is located in Forest Grove, a small Oregon town 35 miles west of Portland. It has a medium class size of just over 90. The front of the building was recently renovated and new equipment put into the Forest Grove clinic. You begin patient care in third year but are in clinic briefly before that doing things as you learn them. (You are in clinic in first and second year "observing" a few times per semester but must complete some of the exam as you work with a third or fourth year).

Pacific is a well rounded school with emphasis on all facets of optometry including but not limited to contact lens, disease, VT, and perceptual issues. There is an above average Part I NBEO pass rate which fluctuates in the mid to high 70%.

There are a total of 5 clinics through which you rotate in your internal rotation in fourth year. Most of the clinics are in Portland. Faculty and staff are extremely caring and many are well known in their respective fields.

One of the main negatives regarding PUCO is lack of patient care. Since the main campus is in a small town there are not many patients available. In fourth year numbers of available patients increase substantially as work is done in a couple of county clinics where many immigrants and people of lower income are seen.

To reiterate PUCO is a good school with good faculty. You will learn what you need to in a very non-competitive environment. Once in you are there to stay. It is the goal of the faculty to have everyone finish and they are there to help you along. It is in a family friendly town, and the classes are mid sized. Patient care is the only lacking thing but they are working to rectify that by changing the way fourth year is organized (three external rotations - nine months and one internal 3 months).

I will be happy to answer any other questions you have. One last thing PUCO is a private school and is, therefore, a little spendy.
 
What does it mean when a school says that "70% passing Part I NBEO." Does this mean the percent of the class passes taking NBEO Part I for the first time? Also, what's the deal with the NBEO Part I, do you only get one shot or do you keep taking it until you pass it? Who writes these questions? I'm not there yet, but just curious to know ahead of time. Anyone with answers, please feel free to speak 😎
 
You keep taking the boards until you pass it. I don't know if there is a limit though. The national average is alittle below 70%, but Im not too sure on that.


I'm taking NBEO part 1 in the summer 😱
 
the national average pass rate this year for NBEO part I was 68%.

they haven't told us what our clases pass rate was, but I know it was SIGNIFICANTLY higher than that. UHCO's first time pass rate is usually in the 90% range.
 
Didn?t Highlyfanatic just have an interview at PUCO? I used to have some interest in this school, but the little town atmosphere scared me away.
 
hey J.opt i didnt actually goto Pacific University, ...instead they came to our campus and did the interview right here in Edmonton. davemo, if u wanna know how the interview went, i posted on the forum about my experience.

Tony
 
Originally posted by HighlyFanatic
hey J.opt i didnt actually goto Pacific University, ...instead they came to our campus and did the interview right here in Edmonton. Tony
Click to expand...

Lots of Canucks at Pacific. Edmonton is well represented with probably 4 Albertans per class and 10-12 Canadians.
 
Originally posted by xmattODx
Lots of Canucks at Pacific. Edmonton is well represented with probably 4 Albertans per class and 10-12 Canadians.
Click to expand...

right on 😎 oregon is a cool state from all the pics ive seen (kinda looks like edmonton, scenic/natural.....but better weather). we'r big into oregon

Tony
 
Originally posted by davemo
Just curious...

Is anyone attending (or has anyone visited, etc) Pacific, and what are your general thoughts?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I attended Pacific for 4 years, and absolutely loved the campus and its people. Although I chose Pacific for optometry, I am currently applying to medical school, but I am still familiar with PUCO. I have visited the optometry school on several occasions, and can honestly say that the lecture halls are immaculate. For example, they have new chairs and desks outfitted with "SMART" technology that allows you to connect your laptop to the network/internet.

A friend of mine is currently a 4th year student at PUCO. He recently completed an externship at Hickam AFB near Honolulu. While there are few clinics near the campus, there are plenty of externship options nationwide (e.g. Hickam, Mayo) and worldwide (e.g. Germany).

If you have in interest in sports vision, one of the faculty members performs research for Nike, whose headquarters are about a 1/2 hour from campus in Beaverton. He developed contact lenses for PU's baseball team that have taken them from doormats to one of the conferences best teams. From what I've heard, he's a great person to work with, who has many more great ideas on the way.

As for Pacific in general, you'll certainly enjoy the music exhibitions in the fall and spring, the jazz band/wind ensemble concerts on various nights, and the **kickass** luau on the second Saturday in April. As a native of Hawaii who has attended many a luau, you will not find a better show than what the Hawaii Club puts on in the Grove.

And if you golf and have some $$$ to blow, there's Pumpkin Ridge. If you don't, there are several great bargains in the area - but I digress.

Get a chance to visit Pacific. I think you would like what you find.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top