A series of articles written by SCCO Student Ambassadors.

Why I Chose SCCO: An Out-of-Stater’s Perspective

by SCCO Student Ambassador, Anjli Patel

I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, for the first 18 years of my life. I love Ohio, and I would not be who I am without living there. But during high school, I always wondered about what else was out there for me. I wanted to experience something new, something exciting, and be able to maximize my learning academically, socially, and mentally. So, I thought, hey, what is a better way to accomplish all of that and more than by moving a thousand miles away from home?

I decided to attend Nova Southeastern University for undergrad in South Florida. At first, the whole idea of moving away from home and my family was terrifying but also super exciting at the same time. The beginning of the move was tough, dealing with homesickness and feeling a little overwhelmed, but it was all worth it tenfold. I grew so much as a person during my four years of college. From learning how to be more independent in an environment completely different from Ohio to learning who I want to be as a person. I was able to meet so many new people, some of whom are now the most important people in my life.

Going to college out of state was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. During my senior year of college, I had to make another challenging decision; where do I want to attend optometry school? Did I want to stay in Florida, return home to Ohio, or go somewhere completely new? Which program was the best for me? Which interview had the greatest impact on me? There was a lot to consider when it came to deciding on optometry school.

However, if I’m being honest, I knew I wanted to go to SCCO since the day of the interview. I did want to experience something new, but I knew doing so during some of the most rigorous academic years of my life would require careful decision-making. The program was exactly what I was looking for; perfect class size, small school, interprofessional learning environment, and no curve grading. I liked how the clinic hours were split over the four years and more.

The interview day is what really sealed the deal for me when it came to choosing SCCO. Everyone I met during that day, from faculty to students, was so warm and welcoming. I decided to complete my interview online, and even though it was through a screen, the positive energy was contagious. The interview day had a lasting impression on me and my decision. I knew that if I decided to move again for optometry school, I would want there to be a supportive environment that strives to make sure every student becomes the best possible optometrist. I truly felt that SCCO ensured this and would feel like a home away from home.

Since moving here and starting optometry school, I am so happy with my decision and know I made the right one. I am so excited about all the experiences and opportunities these next four years have in store!

Click here to read Anjli’s bio and meet other Student Ambassadors at Ketchum.edu.