Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry
Bayamon, PR
Optometry Schools | Public For-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 36% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview mixed with a low stress level, and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as low stress.
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most rank this school as average compared to other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about experiences preparing for school, handling criticism, dealing with challenging patient scenarios like child abuse, discussing personal traits relevant to the profession, and clarifying motivations for choosing a specific field of study or institution. Some respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement if the interview format was an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview).
-
How well do I deal with change
-
What experiences did I have that made me feel prepared for optometry school
-
What hobbies do you have
-
How would you deal with a patient who you suspect is a victim of child abuse? What would you do?
-
Hypothetically, how would you deal with criticism from one of our clinicians during a day at the clinic?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry discussed a wide range of topics, including ethical dilemmas, patient scenarios, interpersonal situations, and professional knowledge. While the responses varied, it seems that the school may utilize an MMI format, as some questions touched on ethical behavior and interactions, with potential nondisclosure agreements in place for confidentiality.
-
An ethical question about classmates possibly stealing another's equipment
-
How would you deal with a new environment, new culture, and new language? (since its Puerto Rico)
-
If a patient is going blind and it’s the first time you're meeting them, how will you treat that patient?
-
If you caught a classmate checking would you tell your professor.
-
Tell me the difference between opticians, ophthalmologists, and optometrists.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry discussed how to handle sensitive patient interactions like delivering bad news or addressing potential child abuse cases. Other challenging questions included financial concerns about paying for school, ethical dilemmas like reporting academic misconduct, and contingency plans if not accepted into the program.
-
How would i handle having to tell a patient they were going blind
-
How would you deal with a patient who you suspect is a victim of child abuse? What would you do?
-
How will you pay for school?
-
If you caught a classmate checking would you tell your professor.
-
none
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 15 minutes or less.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 1 person.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had an open file interview.
Was this interview in-person or virtual?
Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.
No responses
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at another location.
📍 On-Site Experience ▼
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as average.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents rank the facilities as below average.
What were your total hours spent traveling?
Most respondents spent 0-1 hour traveling to the interview.
What was your primary mode of travel?
Most respondents traveled by automobile to the interview.
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
Most respondents spent between $101 and $200.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
No responses
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Other or at another housing option.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
No responses
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as average
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
Would you recommend the hotel?
No responses
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was moderately responsive.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by seeking out questions on platforms like SDN, conducting mock interviews with professionals or career service advisors, and reviewing their personal statements to reflect on their journey. It is recommended to practice answering common interview questions, seek feedback from professionals, and reflect on personal experiences to prepare effectively for interviews.
-
Looked up questions on SDN and wrote some of them out.
-
SDN questions
-
Didn't.
-
Mock interview with my optometrist, Search questions online.
-
I went to career services and set up a mock interview with the director of career services. She really helped me answer a lot of tough questions such as what are my strengths and weaknesses, etc.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the program's friendliness, diversity, and supportive committees. The welcoming environment, small class sizes, and convenient location were particularly noted as standout features that made applicants feel comfortable and supported.
-
I was impressed by the diversity of the program
-
How nice and friendly they were
-
Very friendly and kind
-
Friendly.
-
How friendly and supportive the committees are.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were mostly negatively impressed by interview delays, unprofessional behavior during technical difficulties, lack of communication or organization in scheduling, and concerns about the school's probationary status. Suggestions include improving timeliness, communication, and professionalism during interviews, as well as addressing any issues related to the school's status to instill confidence in applicants.
-
The interviewers were a bit late, and they seemed a bit crass when technical difficulties ensued
-
The interviewers were 5-6 mins late making me freak out.
-
nothing
-
I was scheduled to interview earlier and took a day off work and waited at my computer for 2 hrs and they never called via skype. They then called on the phone and they basically accused me of missing the interview. I made it very clear that I was at my computer but they never called me.
-
none
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had prepared more thoughtful questions beyond the location of the school, taken more time to research their interviewers and the faculty, and approached the interview with a slower pace to demonstrate genuine interest.
-
Try to find a way to ask questions that are not solely about the fact the school is located on an island
-
Talk more slowly and prepare questions to ask them at the end. This makes you look genuinely interested.
-
nothing
-
Nothing.
-
I wished I would have researched more about my interviewers....I wished I would have researched more about the faculty.
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly mentioned experiencing a mix of positive and negative interactions during the interview process, pointing out the importance of approaching interviews with an open mind and remaining calm. Feedback also highlighted the significance of quick decision-making processes and the overall ease of the interviews.
-
The program seems like it is decent, and I enjoyed learning about it, but the attitude of the interviewers was a bit off putting
-
Take a deep breath and go in with an open mind.
-
Easy interview.
-
I actually don't remember all of the questions by now. My interview was over the phone. I was notified immediately following the phone interview and offered a scholarship. I liked that fast decision.
-
Woke early in the morning and took a 2 hour drive to Oakland(hospital)..had alot of stress & diarrhea...met with Dr. Tran...talked to the Dean who quickly asked Why Podiatry?....talked to a couple of students which was very informative...had lunch with 2 second year students...had an easy interview with 2 DPMs for 15 minutes...went to Samuel Merritt...talked to Financial Aid counselor....Interviewed with 2 academic faculty, this was a little more specific and difficult, and it lasted 25 minutes for me....talked to Dr. Tran....End of the interview....found out I was accepted later on in the night.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office improve response times to prospective student inquiries to demonstrate care and interest in potential students. They highlighted that delays in responses can give off the impression of being uncaring and uninterested.
-
I wished the response rate to prospective student inquiries were higher. The admission staff did eventually respond; however, the time lag made the school seem uncaring and uninterested in prospective students.
Success!
School has been added to your favorites.