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 very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
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 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 responsive.
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about managing stress levels, experiences in group projects, explaining medical concepts to different audiences, reasons for choosing optometry over other medical fields, ethical scenarios like witnessing cheating, and personal motivations for pursuing optometry as a career. Some responses indicate an MMI format with questions about transitions to optometry school, weaknesses identified by friends, and specific optometric experiences, possibly subject to a nondisclosure agreement.
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How do you manage stress levels?
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Have you ever been in a group project? How was the result of the project?
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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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How do you think transitioning from undergrad to Optometry school will go?
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Why NOVA?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Nova Southeastern University College Of Optometry discussed a variety of topics including explaining the difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists to 11-year-olds, handling patients who cannot afford medication, choosing between schools if accepted to all, and their interests outside of work or study. Some responses hinted at an MMI format with nondisclosure requirements, while others highlighted typical interview questions about career motivations, study habits, and personal characteristics.
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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 most difficult question asked at Nova Southeastern University College Of Optometry discussed a variety of topics, with frequent mentions of MMI format, nondisclosure agreements, and questions about knowledge of optometric laws, ethical dilemmas like witnessing cheating, and reasons for choosing the school. Some students also mentioned questions related to personal strengths and weaknesses, academic trends, patient scenarios, and career goals in optometry and healthcare.
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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 Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 2 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 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.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by utilizing resources such as Student Doctor Network (SDN), doing mock interviews, practicing with family and friends, and researching common interview questions. They also reviewed their application materials, school website, and engaged in self-reflection to feel confident and ready for 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 communication from the school, the friendly and supportive faculty and staff, the beautiful campus and modern facilities, the multidisciplinary setting, and the positive and welcoming atmosphere. Many highlighted the personalized attention, engaging interactions with current students and faculty, and the integration with other health professions divisions as standout features of their experience.
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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 commonly concerned about feeling intimidated or unappreciated during the interview process, particularly at Nova Southeastern University. They also expressed worries about high tuition costs, heavy coursework loads, faculty attitudes, and uncertainties about program quality and outcomes. Suggestions include improving interview experiences, being transparent about costs and curriculum demands, and providing more support and information to alleviate applicant anxieties.
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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 more relaxed and stress-free than expected, requiring them to showcase their qualities and stand out in a laid-back environment. Additionally, many suggested preparing more questions to show interest and engage with various faculty and students throughout the interview process, emphasizing the importance of being relaxed and not stressing out too much.
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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 staff creating a welcoming atmosphere. Suggestions included preparing questions in advance, ensuring to express key points early on, and being ready to engage in dialogue during the interview process.
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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, and provide opportunities for direct communication with current students. They also highlighted the importance of maintaining a friendly and responsive approach while potentially reducing the hectic nature of interview days.
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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.
📍 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 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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AirTran
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FLL
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Fort Lauderdale
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Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport
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Ft. Lauderdale
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
The most commonly mentioned hotel among the responses is the **Holiday Inn**.
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Can't remember
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Comfort Suites
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Extended Stay America
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Hampton Inn
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Hampton Inn (has shuttle to and from airport and school)
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
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