Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Optometry Interview Feedback Summary
Worcester, MA
Optometry Schools | Private Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 42% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.1
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 354 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 as average compared to other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (73%)
Negatively (15%)
No change (12%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (58%)
Good (27%)
Average (12%)
Poor (1%)
Bad (1%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally shared positive experiences regarding their interviews at the school, with many finding the process straightforward and low-stress. They appreciated the friendly interviewers, convenient location, and opportunities to ask questions during the interview and tour. However, concerns were raised about the intensity of the program, high tuition costs, and some negative feedback from current students, suggesting a need for more transparency and information about the school's academic rigor and student services.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Good experience, was told at the end of the interview that she would make a recommendation on my behalf to the board. Got my acceptance two days later.
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It was very straightforward and low-stress.
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A financial aid session and a Q&A session given by current students will be nice.
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Just be confident and speak the truth, dont be trying to rehearse waht u practiced just stay calm and speak naturally.
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Parking is easy, location is very easy to get to
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
32 Minutes Average
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Number:
1 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
98% One-on-One
2% Group Interview
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File Type:
78% Open-File
22% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
MCPHS-COMP interviews are an average of 32 minutes, with an average of 1 interviews. 98% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 22% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools revolve around the motivations behind pursuing pharmacy, study habits, career goals, preparation for programs, strengths and weaknesses, and specific interest in the institution. Some interviews were conducted in an MMI format, with questions tailored to assess stress handling and critical thinking skills, potentially under a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Do you have any pharmacy experience?
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Why MCPHS? Why Pharmacy?
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How did you come to want to pursue pharmacy?
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Why Pharmacy?
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My previous experience in pharmacy
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Optometry discussed various topics such as time management, future goals, personal hobbies, and reasons for pursuing pharmacy. The interviews seemed to follow a standard format with questions about qualifications, career aspirations, and personal interests, though some respondents mentioned a scenario involving being chosen for a spot among many applicants, indicating a potential MMI format with nondisclosure agreements in place.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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This an accelerated 3-year program, what do you think makes you qualified to keep up in a program like this?
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None
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How do you manage your time?
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If there was one spot left and you were up against 300 ppl, why should we pick you?
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Where do u see yourself in 5years what are you hobbies
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by researching the school, reviewing interview feedback on SDN, talking to current students or pharmacists, and practicing typical interview questions. Many also emphasized the importance of being honest, asking questions, and dressing professionally during the interview process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I researched the school thoroughly and came prepared with questions to ask that showed my prior knowledge of the school and the field of pharmacy.
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Sdn
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Reviewing SDN surveys
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Sdn and mcphs
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SDN/ School website
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult questions asked at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Optometry discussed a wide range of topics including traits of a good pharmacist, handling a rigorous program, bad grades explanation, readiness for an aggressive program, reasons for choosing pharmacy, and future career goals. Some responses mentioned an MMI format, suggesting possible nondisclosure agreements, while others highlighted questions related to grades, career choices, and personal attributes.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What are traits that make a good pharmacist and do you think you have those traits?
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None
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Essay is the most challenging part of the interview, but definitely not that difficult.
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There was none.
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Explain bad grades...but it worked out
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendliness and welcoming nature of the admissions staff, faculty, and interviewers, as well as the modern facilities and technology available at the school. Many appreciated the conversational and low-stress interview atmosphere, as well as the emphasis on creating a supportive and inclusive community for students.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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My interviewer was very nice, gave me lots of clarification about the program and field during my interview. She made it clear that I can ask questions at any point during the interview. She also did a lot of talking which made me feel comfortable as I wasn't the only one talking the entire time.
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The interviewer was an older woman - she was super nice!
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The facilities, staff and curriculum
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The admission staff and the interviewer was really nice! They made you feel welcome and the interview was more like a conversation than interrogation. The interview day was very structured and organzied.
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Faculty, cultural diversity
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the small campus size, limited resources such as the small library, high tuition costs, lack of campus atmosphere, and the surrounding area of Worcester. Suggestions included improving facilities, expanding resources, lowering costs, and enhancing the overall student experience both on and off-campus.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I was told that 3-year accelerated PharmD students don't match for residency as easily as 4 year students.
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N/A
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The surrounding areas can be a bit dodgy in places
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None
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The weather
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known about the short duration of the interview, the proximity of the hotel to the campus, the relaxed and stress-free environment, and the availability of food and drinks. They also mentioned the importance of managing time efficiently, preparing for stress-related questions, and being cautious about the pronunciation of the city's name.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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That the interview would only take 10ish minutes. I also didn't know that the essay portion would be RIGHT after the interview.
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How laid back everyone would be. It was very stress free.
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None, everything was expected.
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I wish i knew i could walk from my hotel to the campus cos i ended up paying $10 for parking.
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I wish I knew that they had food and juices for us already
🤝 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?
Applicants commonly suggested including a financial aid session and a Q&A session with current students during the interview day to provide a student perspective and information on financial aid. Additionally, they recommended having more faculty involvement in the interview process and providing better directions to the school.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The only thing I would add to make the interview day more thorough will be to include a financial aid session and then a Q&A session with current students. This way, the applicant will have a feel of the school from a student's perspective and also know more about the financial aid situation for the program. Other than that, I think the interview was very organized and efficient.
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None
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Library too small..... Student housing not impressive
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It would be nice to also have a student on-hand to either provide tours or to be a step along the interview process. Probably isn't possible, since everyone has class during the day, but I would have liked a current student's perspective.
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They should get more faculty members as part of the whole interview process. For example, interviewees should be able to meet more faculty members for interactions.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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BOS
28% interviewees used BOS (BOS), with 16% using Boston (Boston) and 8% using bos (bos) and 8% using Boston Logan (Boston Logan) and 4% using bdl (bdl) and 4% using log (log) and 4% using Logan International (Logan International) and 4% using Boston Airport (Boston Airport) and 4% using manchester (manchester) and 4% using Logan Airport in Boston (Logan Airport in Boston) and 4% using boston logan (boston logan) and 4% using Boston Logan Airport (Boston Logan Airport) and 4% using Boston International Airport (Boston International Airport) and 4% using logan (logan).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by airplane to the interview.
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49% Airplane
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46% Automobile
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3% Train or Subway
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2% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Crowne Plaza (average ranking 8.7/10), with some staying at Hilton Garden Inn (average rating 8.7/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Crowne Plaza
8.7/10
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Hilton Garden Inn
8.7/10
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Marriot Courtyard
6.7/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of 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 Faculty member
Admissions staff (17%)
Faculty member (77%)
Student (7%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Discouraging (5%)
Enthusiastic (71%)
Neutral (24%)
All Responses
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