Big Rapids, MI
Optometry Schools | Public Non-Profit
AI Advisor
Ask questions about this school. Answers use aggregated data and are subject to error.
👋
Hi there! How can I help?
Going on an interview at MCO? Add your feedback to help others!
⭐ 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.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above 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 respondents rank this school above 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 average.
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 average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
💬 Interview Questions ▼
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.
-
NA
-
Why Optometry?
-
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?
-
What do you do for fun? What are your hobbies and interests? Tell me about yourself.
-
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.
-
NA
-
Why should we accept you?
-
nothing really
-
Compare your work and/or shadowing experiences among the optometrist offices you've worked at.
-
Tell me about yourself and how you got to where you are now.
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.
-
NA
-
Most of it was YOU asking them questions, and then starting discussions based on those questions.
-
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
-
There really wasn't one.
-
Tell me about yourself and how you got to where you are now.
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of more than 50 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 3 people.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average 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 in a group 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 the school.
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.
-
NA
-
Review common questions to interviews and have an idea of how I would answer.
-
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.
-
Looked at and prepared questions from SDN and the Ferris' Pre-Optometry Club website
-
Mock interviews with roommates, pre health advisor, reading SDN, school website, personal statement, reading optometric journals, reviewing extracurricular activities and stuff.
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.
-
NA
-
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.
-
Friendly staff
-
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.
-
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.
-
NA
-
Location! Location! but what can you do about that, it's a small city.
-
The current building is an old dorm.
-
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.
-
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.
-
NA
-
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)
-
Nothing really, I could have prepared better for the questions.
-
Nothing.
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.
-
MCO is an amazing school that has a family-type feel to it. Students that come from MCO exceed everyones' expectations. Highly recommended!
-
NA
-
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.
-
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.
-
Overall a good impression of the school and facilities. Friendly staff, students, and nicely organized day.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
The applicants did not provide any suggestions for the admissions office.
-
NA
📍 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 in state students.
What were your total hours spent traveling?
Most respondents spent 2-3 hours 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 less than $100.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Grand Rapids Airport (GRR)
-
Grand Rapids
-
NA
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
Holiday Inn
-
Holiday Inn
-
NA
-
Super 8
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
Would you recommend the hotel?
Most respondents would recommend their hotel.
What are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
All Responses
| Application Cycle ▿ | Impression | Performance | Interview Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2010-11 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Poor | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
Success!
School has been added to your favorites.