Interview day is an important part of the ICO application process. We review our candidates holistically, this gives us a chance to get to know one another.
We look forward to meeting the highly-motivated and passionate person you are. Interview Day gives you the ability to meet current students, faculty, and staff, as well as to participate in an interview and get your own questions answered.
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Interview Day Setup
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During interview day, you will receive information on academics, career services, financial aid, and student support services. You will also take a campus tour and have lunch with current students.
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You will have a one-on-one interview with a faculty member or a member of the admissions committee.
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Virtual Interviews:
Mondays
On-Campus Interviews:
Fridays
I really never thought I would be a city person (in the sense that I want to stay in the city forever.) I never want to leave such a great area. There's constantly something new to do in Chicago.
- Alyssa Lancaster, OD '21
Stay at ICO
The night before your interview, you can stay in our Residential Complex (RC) at no cost. An RC Ambassador will host you and answer all your questions. One guest may accompany you in your room at the RC during your one-night stay.
To stay at the RC, click here to learn more.
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Do I qualify for U.S. federal financial aid?The following criteria must be met to receive aid from the U.S. Federal Student Aid programs. ​Demonstrated financial need. Enrollment in the program at least half-time or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree. U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen. Valid Social Security Number. If you don’t have a Social Security Number, you can learn more about applying for one. Maintain satisfactory academic progress. Sign a statement on the application for U.S. Federal Student Aid certifying that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes (ICO’s school code is 001689). Sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money back on a federal student grant. Registration with the Selective Service, if applicable (if you are an American male 18 through 25 years of age and you have not yet registered with Selective Service, you can register by checking a box on the FAFSA).
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How do I apply for financial aid?There are several types of financial aid and a variety of scholarships available to help with the cost of your education. To apply for U.S. Federal Financial Aid and Direct Loans, you will only need to complete the FAFSA. Our school code is 001689. This form is available every October 1 for the upcoming Fall Term and can be accessed through the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid. Annually, you will be asked to complete the FAFSA to renew your eligibility. If you are unsure of your eligibility, you can review the federal eligibility requirements as listed above to confirm that you qualify to receive financial aid.
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I completed my FAFSA, what's next?Following the submission of your completed FAFSA, we will put together a financial aid package that covers your full estimated cost of attendance and identifies all forms of Federal Aid for which you qualify. For students eligible for U.S. Federal Student Aid, you can expect that you will be able to fully cover your costs with the Federal Student Loan and work-study programs. You should not need to seek out private loans, which are often less cost-effective over the life of your loans. Scholarship recipients will see your award adjusted to include the scholarship.
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How do I apply for ICO scholarships?When applying for graduate programs in optometry, you might feel as though you have to submit a lot of information. We remove the step of having prospective students apply for ICO scholarships by automatically reviewing your application for merit-based scholarships; you do not need to apply separately. Scholarship recipients are notified by the Admission Office at the time of acceptance.
