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ICO Visits You
Meet ICO Admissions members in your area.
ICO representatives visit dozens of sites across the U.S. and Canada. We’d love to meet you! Refer to the list below to see when we’ll be in your area.
CALIFORNIA
University of California -
Los Angeles (Virtual)
Tuesday, Nov 16, 2021
8:00 pm (CST)
Pre-Optometry Club
IDAHO
Brigham Young University
Thursday, Nov 4, 2021
8:00 pm (CST)
Pre-Optometry Club
ILLINOIS
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday, Nov 16, 2021
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (CST)
Pre-Optometry Club
OHIO
Ohio State University
(Virtual)
Tuesday, Nov 2, 2021
5:00 pm (CST)
Pre-Optometry Club
To arrange a visit to ICO, please call: 312-949-7400. Interested students can schedule tours, counseling sessions, or clinical observation through our Admissions Department
If we are not visiting your area, let’s find a way to meet. If you or your optometry club are interested in visiting campus, we would welcome the opportunity to host you for a visit to our campus. We love meeting prospective students but understand making time for an event or scheduling an on-campus visit can be challenging. If you or your club are not able to attend an event or visit our campus, a member of our Admissions team is happy to meet you virtually via Skype or FaceTime.
Focus on Your Future
This week-long summer program introduces ICO and the profession of optometry to underrepresented minority undergraduates. Participants meet ICO staff, faculty, students and alumni, see our facilities, and get to know Chicago.
Focus on Your Future includes sample lectures from real ICO courses, an overview of the admissions process, career and leadership development, clinical exposure, and student and OD panels. At the end of the program, participants receive a certificate of completion. To get a better idea of the week’s activities, take a peek at a previous year’s agenda.
Eligibility
FoYF is open to underrepresented minorities who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program either in their first, second, or third year. We also accept applications for students who are enrolled in a community college, post-baccalaureate, or graduate program.
Cost
There is no cost to participate in this program. Participants are only responsible for their travel expenses and/or transportation to and from ICO. Participants are housed at no charge in ICO’s Residential Complex.
Application
The application cycle for the 2021 session is closed.
The program dates are Monday, July 12, 2021 – Friday, July 16, 2021.
Students interested in the program must submit the following to our office (preferably in one envelope):
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Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (official electronic transcripts sent directly from the school are accepted)
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One letter of academic recommendation from a faculty member or advisor
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Optional: 2×2 photo
Mailing Address:
Office of Admissions
c/o Teisha Johnson, FoYF
Illinois College of Optometry
3241 S. Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
For questions about Focus on Your Future, please contact Senior Director of Admissions/Marketing Teisha Johnson at 312-949-7400 or tjohnson@ico.edu.
Open House
If you are considering a career in optometry, this event is for you!
You will have the opportunity to:
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explore the profession of optometry and discover the countless career opportunities available
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learn more about how you can prepare to be accepted into optometry school
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meet ICO students, staff and admissions representatives
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tour the ICO campus, clinical facilities, and the laboratory affectionately called the Eyepod
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learn why ICO has a highly esteemed clinical reputation
We encourage you to bring friends and family. We hope to see you there!
Check this space for updates about our next Open House Event
Getting Here
Visitors to ICO must enter the campus through the Indiana Avenue entrance (3240 S. Indiana.) Visitor parking is available at this entrance. Please sign in at the front desk before exploring ICO.
Taxis/Shuttles
The fare from either airport varied depending upon traffic conditions. Visitors have reported fares from Midway in the range of $25-35, and from O’Hare in the range on $40-60. Taxis are readily available outside the arrival/baggage claim areas of both airports.
Airport Express Transportation (shuttle to major hotels in Chicago)
Operates from both airports to zip code 60616
O’Hare one way: $35; round trip: $61
Midway one way: $24; round trip: $50
Public Transportation
From O’Hare, take the Blue Line southeast to downtown Chicago. Take the Blue Line to the Clark/Lake stop, and transfer to the Green Line train.
Take the Green Line south to the 35th/Bronzeville/IIT stop, in the middle of the Illinois Institute of Technology’s campus. Walk north to 33rd Street. Take a right on 33rd, then walk two blocks to Indiana Avenue. At Indiana Avenue take a left. ICO’s entrance is a half block north on Indiana.
From Midway, take the Orange Line northeast to the Roosevelt stop. At Roosevelt, transfer to the Green Line headed south. Then follow the directions above from the Green Line to ICO.
For further information about public transportation, check out www.transitchicago.com, the website of the Chicago Transit Authority.
Where to Stay
The following hotels offer special rates to ICO visitors. If calling for reservations, ask for the “Illinois College of Optometry” rate. The rate may also be accessed when booking online. Please keep in mind there may be blackout dates and prices are always subject to availability.
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
2233 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Chicago, IL 60616
312-567-1234
$169/night + tax (use code 80599)
Chicago South Loop Hotel
11 W. 26th St.
Chicago, IL 60616
312-225-7000
15% off Best Available Rate
Hampton Inn Chicago McCormick Place
123 E. Cermak
Chicago, IL 60616
312-363-1211
Student rate $109
15% off Best Available Rate; (Call to make a reservation using the Best Available Rate, 312-791-1121, mention company name Illinois College of Optometry.)
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place
123 E. Cermak
Chicago, IL 60616
312-363-1211
15% off Best Available Rate
Home2 Suites by Hilton Chicago McCormick Place
123 E. Cermak
Chicago, IL 60616
312-363-1211
15% off Best Available Rate