Did you know one of the top optometry schools in the country is right here in Memphis, Tennessee? Southern College of Optometry recruits some of the best and brightest minds from across all 50 states – and Canada! – to live and learn in our city. On top of receiving incomparable optometric education and training, here are some of the top reasons SCO students “choose 901.”
Places to live
When it comes to choosing the perfect place for you, there are so many neighborhoods to choose from – Downtown, Mud Island, the Medical District, Midtown, East Memphis and more! And the best part? Each place offers unique characteristics, restaurants and hang outs.
One of the top places for SCO students to live? Mud Island. Why?
For Shaely Cannon (Class of 2028) from Mount Airy, Georgia, it’s because “it reminded me of a small town or community right near the school and close to downtown Memphis.”
Students can enjoy the best of both worlds – big city life with some small town charm.
“I chose this location for a multitude of reasons, but in the end it also was a large factor in my decision to attend optometry school here at SCO,” said Lindsay Hall (Class of 2027) of Brighton, Michigan. “It gives the appearance and feel of a private community while only being five-10 minutes from the heart of the city.”
It’s a location where a lot of students choose to live, giving people ample opportunities to hang out with friends and carpool to campus.
“I enjoy being able to walk along the Greenbelt by the Mississippi River with friends and being less than 5 minutes away from restaurants, a dentist, a doctor and a grocery store,” Lindsay said.
Plus, those sunrise and sunset views over the Mississippi River are hard to beat!
Places to eat
One thing about Memphis – we know a thing or two about good eats! Top of the list? Barbecue, of course! There are several places to enjoy our city’s staple meal, but a couple of favorites for SCO students are Bain Barbecue, Central BBQ, The Rendezvous and The Bar-B-Q Shop.
While barbecue is Memphis’ jam, it also offers different types of cuisine to satisfy anyone’s foodie cravings.
“I had only heard people rave about how good the barbecue was here prior to moving to Memphis,” said Lindsay. “As someone who truthfully is not a big fan of barbecue, I was happily surprised with the array of different cuisines the city offers.”
Breakfast lovers flock to Sunrise, Brother Juniper’s, the Arcade Restaurant, Gibson’s Donuts and Kinfolk – all classic Memphis locations. Students also love grabbing bites from other local eateries like The Second Line, Little Petals (a new takeout concept from Petals of a Peony!), Good Fortune, Cocozza, The Liquor Store, Los Comales, Vanelli’s Deli, Fawn, Huey’s and Hard Times Deli. And, of course, the burgers at Earnestine & Hazel’s are a must!
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to finding amazing places to eat in Memphis. If you’re craving it, SCO students know the city has it.
Places to hang out
When they need to unwind and take a break from classes, labs and clinics, SCO students gather at an endless number of places across Memphis.
“Some of my favorite activities to do in Memphis include walking along the Greenbelt with friends, attending an Orpheum show, cheering on the Memphis Grizzlies or Redbirds, going to the movies with friends, and catching a trivia night at Grind City Brewing Co. or Huey's,” Shaely said.
Outside of class, you can find SCO students hanging out at greenspaces such as Shelby Farms and Overton Park to Crosstown Concourse, the Edge District and South Main. And we can’t forget the breweries. Memphis is packed full of places to grab a drink, snack and hang out with friends. Whether you’re hanging out (or playing trivia) at Grind City or sitting in the lobby at the Peabody Hotel or Central Station Hotel, there’s always a place to chill with your people in Memphis.
Other times, you can find students hanging out with each other at home.
“I love hanging out with friends in our close group,” said Suragan Upadhyay (Class of 2028) from Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. “I've created so many close friendships and meeting up at each other's homes is the highlight of my time here.”
He and his friends also enjoy meeting at Overton Park for a game of pickup Ultimate Frisbee.
Things to do
It’s no secret that Memphis is a sports city, so it’s fitting that sporting events are one of the favorite things SCO students do. It’s easy to catch a Redbirds game at AutoZone Park and see the Grizzlies in action at FedExForum. The Orpheum Theatre is also a great location for anyone looking to take in some amazing performances, and the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid is also a fun location to check out with friends or visitors. In addition to shopping, you can take in the Memphis skyline from the top of the Pyramid, play a round of bowling or grab a bite – even spend the night at the hotel!
“My perfect weekend would consist of taking my dog to go hiking at one of the parks in Memphis such as Shelby Farms, followed by grabbing dinner with friends in a neighborhood such as Overton Square, and ending the night conversing over drinks and appetizers at one of the local breweries,” Lindsay said.
Memphis also has an amazing arts scene. You can take in breathtaking art and horticulture and Dixon Gallery and Gardens (where admission is also free!) and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. The Memphis Zoo is also loved by people of all ages.
“My favorite thing about living in Memphis is how much there is to do in the city!” said Shaely. “As someone from a more rural area, I am not as used to being so close to a wide variety of restaurants, activities, and places to study or even go to enjoy coffee. There is amazing diversity in the city among its residents and the vast amount of establishments and activities the city promotes for its residents to enjoy!”
Why choose Memphis?
Out of all the optometry schools, SCO consistently recruits more than 100 students a year to come and call Memphis their home.
“Everything here is so genuine,” said Maddy Scott (Class of 2027) from Corning, New York. “I have never lived somewhere with so much character and history. I love discovering all of the hidden gems in the area that are too often overlooked.”
One of the best parts of living in Memphis? The people.
“The people are so friendly and amazing,” said Suragan. “I'm from a place where people keep to their own. But people at the store here or in Ubers are so friendly and welcoming. They genuinely talk to me about where I'm from and how I'm liking it. No matter where you’re from, you will feel so welcomed.”
Students feel welcome and supported while also receiving excellence in optometric education and clinic experience through The Eye Center and FocalPoint – two SCO-run clinics in the city. Additionally, Memphis has a large medical community, giving people a chance to talk to and learn from health care students and professionals across varying specializations.
“There are also numerous other medical and professional schools in the city, and I enjoy being a part of the vast medical community,” said Shaely. “The people I have met in Memphis have been welcoming and kind, and I couldn't imagine being in any other city for optometry school.”
“I have found that although there are many Memphis natives who still live in the city,” Lindsay said, “there is also a huge influx of people just like me who moved here for one thing or another and are now fully embraced by the community, rich culture, and genuine Southern hospitality that Memphis has to offer.”
SCO loves Memphis and wants everyone who has a chance to visit to love it too! We hope you visit some of our favorite places and see what makes Memphis special.
Southern College of Optometry is an independent, not-for-profit institution of higher education. Established in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1932, the college currently enrolls more than 500 students and residents from more than 40 states and Canada. The Eye Center at SCO and its FocalPoint clinic at Crosstown Concourse serve nearly 60,000 patients annually, helping make the college one of the top in the nation for clinical optometric education. SCO’s Community Outreach Program provides care at no cost to more than 5,000 patients annually through school-based vision screenings, on-site outreach programs and remote medical missions, among other programs. For more information on SCO, please visit sco.edu.
