Illinois College of Optometry (ICO)

The oldest optometry school in the nation, The Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Illinois, offers a tradition of rigorous, clinically based optometry training.

The challenging curriculum exposes students to a variety of current methods. Since Illinois College of Optometry is affiliated with the University of Chicago, students are informed of the newest technologies and practices in the field.

In addition to a challenging curriculum, students in the optometry program also work with a large number of patients and in a variety of clinical capacities, doing everything from pediatric work to advanced ophthalmic care to low-vision rehabilitation.

In the fourth and final year of the program students undertake externships, working full-time at local affiliate facilities.

Admission to Illinois College of Optometry is competitive and primarily based on one’s academic strengths, particularly in the sciences. Pre-requisite courses include Biology, Calculus, Chemistry and Physics, as well as humanities courses such as English and Psychology.

Financial aid is awarded through federal aid programs. Grants, work-study and loans are the main sources of aid and many students receive a combination of these.

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