Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry Interview Feedback Summary
Bayamon, PR
Optometry Schools | Private For-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 36% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.0
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 48 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as average.
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
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was moderately responsive.
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
Most respondents were asked about their experiences related to optometry, including their preparedness for optometry school, research involvement, and reasons for choosing optometry over other medical professions. Some were also asked to differentiate between optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians, while others were questioned about their interest in optometry and specific motivations for applying to the school.
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What experiences did I have that made me feel prepared for optometry school
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Hypothetically, how would you deal with criticism from one of our clinicians during a day at the clinic?
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Have you participated in clinical or academic research?
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Why optometry and not other medical professions?
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Why are you interested in optometry?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry discussed scenarios like ethical dilemmas, patient interactions, and knowledge differentiation between professionals in the field. The interview may have been in an MMI format as multiple responses hinted at nondisclosure agreements, with questions focusing on real-life situations and professional conduct.
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An ethical question about classmates possibly stealing another's equipment
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How would you deal with a new environment, new culture, and new language? (since its Puerto Rico)
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If a patient is going blind and it’s the first time you're meeting them, how will you treat that patient?
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If you caught a classmate checking would you tell your professor.
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Tell me the difference between opticians, ophthalmologists, and optometrists.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry discussed scenarios like breaking bad news to patients, handling child abuse suspicions, addressing financial concerns, and ethical dilemmas with classmates. These questions reflect the importance of communication skills, ethical decision-making, and professional conduct in optometry practice.
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How would i handle having to tell a patient they were going blind
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How would you deal with a patient who you suspect is a victim of child abuse? What would you do?
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How will you pay for school?
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If you caught a classmate checking would you tell your professor.
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none
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 19 minutes or less.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 1 person.
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.
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.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Many applicants prepared for the interview by seeking out common questions on platforms like SDN, participating in mock interviews, and reviewing their personal materials. Setting up mock interviews with professionals or career services was also a popular method to practice answering tough questions and gain feedback.
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Looked up questions on SDN and wrote some of them out.
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SDN questions
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Didn't.
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Mock interview with my optometrist, Search questions online.
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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 overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness and supportiveness of the program's committees and staff. Additionally, many applicants highlighted the positive impact of a diverse and inclusive environment on their overall impression of the program.
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I was impressed by the diversity of the program
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How nice and friendly they were
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Very friendly and kind
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Friendly.
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How friendly and supportive the committees are.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were negatively impressed by interviewers who were late, crass during technical difficulties, and accusing applicants of missing interviews. Suggestions include improving punctuality, professionalism during technical issues, and communication to avoid misunderstandings.
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The interviewers were a bit late, and they seemed a bit crass when technical difficulties ensued
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The interviewers were 5-6 mins late making me freak out.
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nothing
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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.
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none
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Many applicants expressed a desire to ask more thought-provoking questions beyond the location of the school, suggested to speak slowly and save questions for the end to demonstrate genuine interest, and regretted not researching their interviewers or the faculty beforehand.
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Try to find a way to ask questions that are not solely about the fact the school is located on an island
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Talk more slowly and prepare questions to ask them at the end. This makes you look genuinely interested.
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nothing
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Nothing.
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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 generally found the program to be decent and informative, but some expressed concerns about the attitude of the interviewers. Suggestions included approaching the interview with an open mind, preparing for specific questions, and being open to fast decisions.
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The program seems like it is decent, and I enjoyed learning about it, but the attitude of the interviewers was a bit off putting
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Take a deep breath and go in with an open mind.
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Easy interview.
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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.
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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?
Many applicants suggested that the admissions office improve their response rate to prospective student inquiries to avoid giving the impression of being uncaring or uninterested.
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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.
📍 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.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of state students.
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?
The most commonly mentioned hotel that users stayed in is the "Hilton Garden Inn."
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 are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
All Responses
| Application Cycle ▿ | Impression | Performance | Interview Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2020-21 | Positively 🙂 | Poor | N/A |
| 2017-18 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2014-15 | No change 😐 | Great | N/A |
| 2011-12 | No change 😐 | Great | N/A |
| 2010-11 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2010-11 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
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