New England College of Optometry: A Comprehensive Overview
The New England College of Optometry (NECO), an innovator in eye care education since 1894, is committed to developing competent and compassionate optometry professionals. With a focus on community-based, expansive, and diverse partnerships, NECO provides students with the experiences and skills necessary for success in the field. The college has 524 students across its multiple degree programs.
Hands-on Experience
NECO emphasizes hands-on experience, starting within the first few weeks of the first year. This approach allows students to quickly develop clinical skills and apply their knowledge in real-world settings. NECO's accelerated program offers students the chance to treat patients sooner compared to other programs. During the first semester, students are exposed to pediatric care and learn if they have an interest in treating children and pediatric eye diseases.
Comprehensive Patient Care
Comprehensive and compassionate patient care is at the heart of the NECO optometry school experience. The NECO Center for Eye Care encompasses two teaching facilities: Commonwealth Avenue and Roslindale. It stands as one of the most comprehensive eye centers in New England, offering standard and specialty services, including:
- Low vision rehabilitation
- Myopia control
- Contact lens services
- Vision therapy
Community Engagement
NECO has a long-standing commitment to community engagement. When Massachusetts opened its first community health clinic, NECO was there. In addition to community health clinics, NECO serves a range of organizations. NECO students and faculty treat patients across nine area clinics in one year. This involvement provides students with valuable experience working with diverse patient populations and addressing a wide range of eye care needs.
Diverse Clinical Rotations
NECO offers a variety of clinical rotations, allowing students to specialize in areas of interest. Students can complete rotations in:
Read also: Your Guide to New England Colleges
- Pediatrics
- Vision therapy
- Specialty contact lenses
These rotations provide in-depth experience and prepare students for advanced practice in their chosen areas.
Student Perspectives
Students appreciate the opportunities and experiences offered by NECO. According to one student, "As a NECO student I have had the opportunity to connect and network within the optometric industry and even represent the school at a number of high-profile events and conferences." Another student noted, "NECO has shown me that each patient is unique and requires the use of not only clinical skills, but also interpersonal skills as well."
Why Optometry?
Optometry offers a rewarding career with the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives every day. As a doctor of optometry (OD), you can improve patients' vision, diagnose and treat eye diseases, and provide comprehensive eye care. Optometry offers a good living-and increased earning potential for practice owners and specialists. As an OD, you can work in a range of settings: hospital or private practice; education or industry. The average annual wage for optometrists is competitive, and there are opportunities for increased earning potential for those who own their practices or specialize in specific areas of optometry.
Admission Requirements
Prerequisites
Prerequisite courses form the entering knowledge base for our optometry program. Applicants must complete specific prerequisite courses to be considered for admission. If a grade of less than C is attained in a prerequisite course, the requirement might be waived if the student has received a score of no lower than 300 on the corresponding section of the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT). Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses may be used for prerequisites as long as the appropriate number of credit hours was received.
Entrance Exam
An entrance exam is required for admission, with a majority of applicants taking the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
Read also: The NEASC Accreditation Process
Bachelor of Science in Optometry
You can simultaneously participate in the four-year OD program (entering with 90 qualifying credit hours) and apply for a Bachelor of Science in Optometry from NECO. Earn the latter by completing 12 semester hours of humanities and 12 semester hours of social sciences prior to entry and meeting other requirements.
Additional Admission Information
- Minimum College Credit Hours: At least 90 undergraduate credits or a bachelor’s degree by your intended start term.
- Shadowing Hours: No, but 20 shadowing hours are recommended.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be from a non-relative optometrist. One letter must be from a faculty member (preferably in the sciences) who has taught you in a college-level course or supervised you in a lab setting. One comprehensive recommendation from a university health professions committee may substitute for the two recommendations if your optometrist recommendation is summarized in the letter.
- Supplemental Application: A supplemental application is required.
- Supplemental Application Fee: There is a fee for the supplemental application.
- CASPer: CASPer is required.
Admission Statistics (2024)
- Acceptance Rates by Location: Data available from ASCO (Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry).
- Academic Averages for Acceptance:
- OAT Academic Average: Data available from ASCO.
- OAT Science Average: Data available from ASCO.
- Cumulative GPA: Data available from ASCO.
Finances and Application Logistics
Financial estimations for students starting Fall 2025:
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-State Tuition | Additional Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year | $49,852 | $49,852 | $3,695 |
| Second Year | $49,852 | $49,852 | $1,685 |
| Third Year | $49,852 | $49,852 | $375 |
| Fourth Year | $49,852 | $49,852 | $375 |
- Cost of Living: Cost of living scores are according to bestplaces.net and provide a rough estimate compared to the average of the United States (a score of 100 is considered average for the United States. Scores lower than 100 would indicate a cost of living lower than average.
Resources and Services
NECO provides a wide range of resources and services for patients, students, and the community. These include:
- Clinical Services: Primary Eye Care, Comprehensive Adult Eye Care, Cataract Care, Cornea & Contact Lenses, Diabetic Eye Care, Glaucoma Care, Surgical Co-Management, Specialty Eye Care, Acquired Brain Injury Care, Dry Eye Care, Low Vision Rehabilitation, Specialty Contact Lenses, Myopia Control, Pediatric Eye Care, Comprehensive Pediatric Eye Care, Pediatric Vision Therapy.
- Optical Shops: Commonwealth Optical Shop and Roslindale Optical Shop offer virtual frames try-ons and online ordering of contacts and supplies.
- Community Outreach: NECO is actively involved in community health and hospital partnerships, providing outreach services and resources for pediatric patients.
Faculty
NECO boasts a distinguished faculty of experienced optometrists and educators, including:
- Thomas Andrea, OD, FAAO
- Phyllis Andrejko, OD
- Elena Z. Biffi, OD, MSc, FAAO
- Timothy Bossie, OD, FAAO
- Anh V. Bui, OD, MSc, FAAO
- Aurora Denial, OD, Dipl AAO OE
- Micaela Gobeille, OD, MS, FAAO
- Katherine Green, OD, FAAO
- Haley Italia, OD
- Calisandra M.
Read also: BU: Courses and Programs
tags: #new #england #college #of #optometry #information
