Nova Southeastern University College Of Optometry
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Optometry Schools | Private Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 21% of interviews, indicating it is highly 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 average 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 respondents rank this school above 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 stress management, personal qualities as a student, experience with academic challenges, time management skills, reasons for choosing optometry over other medical fields, and optometric experiences. Respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement as the interviews were in an MMI format, with questions focusing on personal attributes, professional aspirations, and ethical scenarios in a healthcare setting.
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How do you manage stress levels?
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Is there anything specific you would like me to tell the admissions committee on your behalf?
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What are your top 3 qualities as a student
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Have you ever been in a group project? How was the result of the project?
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Have you ever had any difficulty in your life? how you could overcome it?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Nova Southeastern University College Of Optometry discussed various topics such as leisure activities, challenges of relocation, explaining optometry to children, interesting cases seen during shadowing, affordability of medicine for patients, language proficiency, and reasons for choosing optometry and the university. While some responses indicated simple or expected questions, a few mentioned discussions about essays, school choices, study habits, and experiences with cheating. The interview format may have been an MMI with potential nondisclosure agreements due to limited mentions of specific questions.
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When you are not working or studying what do you like to do?
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According to the country that you have born, and the current country that you are living now, do you think that moving to Florida as the third place, is challenging?
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If you were to explain a group of 11 year olds the difference between an optometrist and ophthalmologist, how you would you do so?
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None
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None that I can remember were unusual..
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Nova Southeastern University College Of Optometry discussed various topics, with some mentioning a focus on ethical scenarios like handling cheating incidents and patient non-compliance. Additionally, there were questions related to optometric knowledge, academic trends, and reasons for school choices, while some respondents indicated a laid-back interview atmosphere with open-ended questions.
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Is there anything specific you would like me to tell the admissions committee on your behalf?
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None
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None really. We talked a lot about why I wanted to go to Nova and my previous optometric experiences.
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What do you know about your home state's optometric laws?
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If you saw someone cheating what would you do?
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 2 people.
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.
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
📍 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 above 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 7+ hours traveling to the interview.
What was your primary mode of travel?
Most respondents traveled by airplane to the interview.
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
Most respondents spent more than $500.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
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ord
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ft-lauderdale
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fort lauderdale airport
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Ft. Lauderdale
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Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
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holiday inn express
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Ramada Inn Downtown
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Ramada Inn
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Ocean Sky Hotel & Resort
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Marriot-Residence Inn
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 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 responsive.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by using resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN) for sample questions and feedback, participating in mock interviews, and reviewing their application materials. They also practiced answering questions with friends or family and made sure to research the school and optometry in general to feel more confident during the interview.
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youtube mock interviews, review website, research interviewers
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SDN prepared me very well. I tried to answer each sample question on SDN by myself.
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Practice
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This was my second interview, so I was prepared to answer the basic questions. I always looked at commonly asked questions on this forum.
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I read over my Nova essays as well as my optomcas essay. I looked over all of the equipment I've had experience with and exactly why and how they're used (a little unnecessary but I was nervous). I chatted with one of the doctors I've shadowed about some current optometry issues and I also researched this forum to help prepare myself for the general type interview questions.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the organization and detailed communication from the school prior to interviews, as well as the friendliness and warmth of the faculty, staff, and students. They also highlighted the beautiful campus, modern facilities, multidisciplinary setting, and supportive atmosphere during the interview process as significant positives.
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Organization, the email they send you days before contains detail schedule of the day and the names of the interviewers so it's easy to do research on them beforehand
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The fact that the Interviewer was very nice.
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The campus and faculty
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The rigorous curriculum.
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Great curriculum, great program, top board scores, wonderful staff, students are grounded/friendly, amazing weather, professional yet relaxed atmosphere at HPD, fun all-around day! Really enjoyable lunch with Dr. B. Guy's a killer
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were negatively impressed by issues such as feeling intimidated during interviews, lack of personal connection with professors, high stress levels and workload expectations, high costs and financial concerns, and challenges with the curriculum structure. Suggestions included more personalized interviews, clearer communication from administration, and addressing concerns related to cost and workload intensity.
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NOTHING
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The interviewer asked why I didn’t retake my OATs when my score was above the average score of matriculated students and essentially made me feel dumb compared to everyone else that was applying.
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none
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Three time I was mistaken for coming from another state. People of high authority failed to understand I was from West Virginia, not western Virginia. Also, they try and scare you with the first year coursework, making it seem almost impossible. This interview was the worst of the four I went to. They did not ask me any questions about my file, nor did they take any time to really get to know me, or learn about my passion for optometry. Other schools spent 25-40 minutes with me, whereas at NOVA they asked about four questions, and were done.
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Facilities are average, tuition cost
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time that the interview process would be relaxed and stress-free, and that they should not have been as anxious or stressed. Many also suggested being prepared to showcase their qualities and stand out in responses to basic questions, as well as to have a variety of questions ready for different faculty and students they may encounter during the interview process.
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Questions are not very in depth so you must find a way to show them your qualities and stand out while answering basic questions
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The actual school is a nightmare and a hassle.
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Not to be that much stressed out before the interview.
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The interviewers were very casual. They will not dig to find out about you so talk away!
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Not be so stressed
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interviews to be laid-back and conversational, with friendly faculty and a welcoming environment. Some suggested being prepared with questions and highlighted the importance of knowing why they wanted to pursue optometry.
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Have lots of questions prepared beforehand for student panel, and faculty members
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The interview was very laid back and it was mostly conversational.
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Faculty and students are very friendly
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Awesome school, definitely going
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Great school. A definite contender. We'll see after I attend the rest of my interviews.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants suggested that the admissions office should consider rebuilding processes, conduct more in-depth interviews focusing on various aspects of applicants' experiences, provide opportunities to interact with current students, and streamline interview days to allow for more meaningful interactions.
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Rebuild everything.
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Give more in-depth interviews, ask about work experience, extracurriculars, community service. A highly passionate student may be overlooked when only asked the most basic of questions.
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Let us talk with more 3rd and 2nd year students
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None, they did a great job in terms of friendliness and responsiveness. I do recommend the interview day being a little less hectic though. Too many student tour guides. Wanted to ask more questions but it was crazy!
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Ask student questions directly and not "around-the-bush" answers.
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