Big Rapids, MI
Optometry Schools | Public Non-Profit
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.3
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 35 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.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (100%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (17%)
Good (50%)
Average (17%)
Poor (17%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally praised MCO for its family-like atmosphere and the success of its students, recommending it highly. They appreciated the laid-back interview process and friendly staff, but some found the three-on-one interview format a bit intimidating.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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MCO is an amazing school that has a family-type feel to it. Students that come from MCO exceed everyones' expectations. Highly recommended!
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NA
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I liked the school overall but just dont like the location, but thats ok. The small class size is good, its a pretty laid back interview.
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Ask them questions about the new school. They love to talk about it. Interviewers are REALLY laid back and love to just find out about you. They barely asked me anything about my grades.
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Overall a good impression of the school and facilities. Friendly staff, students, and nicely organized day.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
50 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.8 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
17% One-on-One
83% Group Interview
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File Type:
100% Open-File
0% Closed-File
MCO-COMP interviews are an average of 50 minutes, with an average of 2.8 interviews. 17% of interviews are one-on-one, and 0% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools encompass personal motivations, academic performance, decision-making processes, and extracurricular activities. While some respondents mentioned a focus on specific subjects like physics grades or OAT scores, others were asked about their interests, hobbies, and personal journey to the interview. There were no explicit references to MMI format or nondisclosure agreements in the responses provided.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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NA
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Why Optometry?
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Tell me about yourself How will you decide which school to attend, if you got accepted to all the schools you applied too. Why are your physics grades low? What did you do different to improve your OAT score when you took it the second time? What are your hobbies?
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What do you do for fun? What are your hobbies and interests? Tell me about yourself.
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Tell me about yourself and how you got to where you are now.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University discussed a variety of topics including reasons for acceptance, comparing work experiences, personal journeys, and the importance of voting. There were no specific mentions of MMI format or nondisclosure agreements in the responses provided.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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NA
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Why should we accept you?
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Nothing really
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Compare your work and/or shadowing experiences among the optometrist offices you've worked at.
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Tell me about yourself and how you got to where you are now.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by reviewing common interview questions, seeking feedback from online resources like SDN, conducting mock interviews with peers or advisors, and researching the profession and specific school information. It was also common for applicants to review their personal statements, extracurricular activities, and optometric journals to better prepare for the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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NA
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Review common questions to interviews and have an idea of how I would answer.
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Looked at all the interview feedback from MCO and ALL other schools and other posts from SDN. looked up scope of optometry in michigan and just went over my application.
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Looked at and prepared questions from SDN and the Ferris' Pre-Optometry Club website
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Mock interviews with roommates, pre health advisor, reading SDN, school website, personal statement, reading optometric journals, reviewing extracurricular activities and stuff.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University discussed various themes, with some finding personal reflection challenging, while others navigated questions about optometry practice and decision-making scenarios. The interviews may have included an MMI format, as some responses indicated structured questioning and discussions, potentially under a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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NA
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Most of it was YOU asking them questions, and then starting discussions based on those questions.
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How would you choose a school, if you are accepted to all? This was an easy question but what i was saying wasnt matching with what was in my head
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There really wasn't one.
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Tell me about yourself and how you got to where you are now.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the quality of the new building and technology, the student-to-faculty ratio, the friendly staff, and the personalized attention in a relaxed interview atmosphere. Additionally, the modern facilities, small class sizes, and friendliness of the staff left a positive impact on applicants. Suggestions included maintaining the personalized attention and friendliness in the future.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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NA
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The quality of the new building and technology. Student to faculty ratio. Atmosphere and feedback from the students. Everyone was very nice and it was a relatively relaxed experience for an interview.
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Friendly staff
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The small class size, personalized attention, low student to faculty ratio (2:1). They are building a new school, hoping to be done fall 2010.
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Facilities (thought they would be much older and outdated, but not too shabby), friendliness of staff, student who gave me a tour. They also give you a nice goody bag at the end!
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the location, outdated facilities, and the current building being an old dorm. Suggestions included improving the facilities, addressing building access issues, and updating the location or campus to enhance the overall impression of the institution.
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NA
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Location! Location! but what can you do about that, it's a small city.
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The current building is an old dorm.
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No snow! Also, the clinic is on the top floors, which makes patient access difficult, but they are planning a new building to open in 2010. They really try to sell the school to you, at the end of the interview and throughout the whole lunch.
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The facilities seem outdated.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Many applicants wished they had known how to better communicate their reasons for going to MCO and how to handle being placed on hold. Overall, most felt well-prepared but emphasized the importance of clear communication and managing nerves during the interview process.
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NA
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That I was going to be placed on hold!! And that I should've stated my reasons to go to MCO in a better way(I was just nervous)
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Nothing really, I could have prepared better for the questions.
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Nothing.
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
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 responsive.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
The applicants did not provide any suggestions for the admissions office.
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NA
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
✈️
Grand Rapids
50% interviewees used Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids), with 50% using NA (NA).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
✈️
33% Airplane
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67% Automobile
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0% Train or Subway
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0% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Super 8 (average ranking 6.5/10), with some staying at NA (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Super 8
6.5/10
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NA
10/10
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Holiday Inn
9/10
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.3
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 35 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.
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Student (100%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (100%)
All Responses
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