Northeastern State University Oklahoma College Of Optometry
Tahlequah, OK
Optometry Schools | Public Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 29% of interviews, indicating it is moderately 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 low 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 leadership qualities, reasons for being chosen as a candidate, favorite academic subjects, challenges faced and overcome, role models or heroes, preferred study environments, coping mechanisms for stress, and future career aspirations. The interviews may have been conducted in an MMI format, with a potential non-disclosure agreement in place, as some responses referenced 'MMI' or 'Multiple Mini Interview'.
-
What are some characteristics that make a good leader?
-
What was your favorite class in undergrad?
-
Why should we choose you to be one of the 28 candidates in our upcoming class?
-
"Describe a challenge you had to face and how did you overcome it?"
-
"What characteristics are important in a leader?"
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at Northeastern State University Oklahoma College Of Optometry discussed various topics such as future aspirations outside of optometry, favorite courses, ideal studying situations, aspects of the healthcare system to change, and personal heroes. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) based on responses, suggesting a structured approach with potential nondisclosure agreements in place.
-
Where do you see yourself in 10 years outside your life of Optometry? Do you see yourself with a family, traveling abroad, etc.
-
"What has been your favorite course in undergrad and why?"
-
Outside of your professional life, where do you see yourself in 10 years?
-
What was your most interesting job in the past?
-
What is your ideal studying situation?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Northeastern State University Oklahoma College Of Optometry discussed various topics including self-reflection on strengths and weaknesses, ethical considerations in choosing schools, and scenarios requiring critical thinking. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) based on responses that hinted at a nondisclosure agreement, with questions ranging from personal attributes to professional ethics and optometry-related knowledge.
-
What is some constructive criticism a close friend would offer you?
-
Say you come upon a lot of money tomorrow. What would be a charity close to your heart you would want to give back to?
-
What would be the deciding factor of choosing schools? Why would you choose another school over ours?
-
What are your strengths? I had to think about this a little because she asked "What are great qualities of a healthcare professional?" and I said two qualities that I think I have! So I wanted to be humble but still thought that my top two strengths are great qualities of a healthcare professional.
-
Describe a situation in which you felt it was better for someone else to take the lead.
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 15 minutes or less.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 3 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 Admissions staff personnel
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 4-6 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 Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
-
CLE
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
-
Sheraton
-
Motor Lodge
-
Hyatt Place
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?
Many applicants prepared for the interview by researching common questions, practicing their answers out loud, and seeking feedback from online platforms like SDN. Mock interviews with family, friends, and school advisors were also popular methods of preparation.
-
Looked at the interview questions that were asked on this forum and practiced my answers out loud.
-
Looked at school website, SDN
-
Researched common questions, practiced in front of a mirror
-
Wrote answers to mock interview questions. Read my personal statement.
-
SDN, Mock interview with a doctor at work, family, I've had interviews before
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendly and personable staff, the welcoming environment, and the sense of community in smaller towns. They also appreciated the new and beautiful facilities, the close relationships between students and faculty, and the specialized education offered by certain schools. Suggestions include maintaining the welcoming atmosphere, leveraging modern facilities for educational benefits, and continuing to offer unique perspectives through student-led tours.
-
The people were incredibly friendly and personable. It felt like they cared about who I was and where I was from, I was not just another student being interviewed for a position at their school.
-
All interviewers were kind, Interview was virtual due to COVID
-
Everyone was very friendly, since it was a smaller town, it seemed like everyone knew each other. Also the new clinic is very beautiful.
-
Very warm and friendly staff and faculty. Beautiful surroundings and geography. (Tons of trees and rolling hills,rivers, etc)
-
When I went to NSUOCO, I felt like I was home. Tahlequah, as a whole, felt like home. I hope to spend the next four years there!
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about outdated or small facilities, lack of information provided before the interview, small town setting, and the overall feeling of the location not being conducive to a traditional school environment. Suggestions included improving facilities, providing more information beforehand, and addressing the perceived limitations of the location to enhance the overall experience for applicants.
-
The building on campus at NSU is older and more historical than other schools I have visited, but the clinic that is partnered with the school through the Cherokee nation is incredible and brand-new, so that does make-up for the older on-campus building where the classroom and administrative offices are.
-
I didn't get much info on the school
-
Many of the other schools gave me information packages before my interview, but this school gave me one after my interview.
-
Very small buildings that are kinda of old.
-
Nothing!
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known about the lack of provided lunch and the need to plan for it, the importance of practicing timed essay skills for various prompts, and the amount of wait time between interviews with little interaction. They also mentioned being surprised by the small size of the school and the tourist attractions in the area.
-
That they would not be feeding me lunch. I had to go out and get lunch in Tahlequah after all my interviews and tours, which was around 1.
-
Nothing caught me off guard
-
I wish I would have known that I should practice my timed essay skills for a variety of prompts.
-
How little time I had to write the essay.
-
There is lots a wait time between the individual interviews. There is some interaction with the current students during that time, but a lot of the time is spent in the waiting room alone.
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally expressed positive sentiments about the small class size, intimate atmosphere, and welcoming environment of the program. They appreciated the opportunities for hands-on experience, the family-like feel of the school, and the friendly and laid-back interview process.
-
The school and class size is small, but that means more one-on-one time with your doctors and more hands-on experience in a lab or in the clinic with patients. It sounded like you will be more exposed to different types of care being partnered with the Cherokee nation also. Overall a great and hospitable school that is a good option for anyone looking to become the best optometrist they can be.
-
Seems like a great program with a family-feel
-
NSUOCO is an absolutely wonderful school and program. The faculty and students are awesome! Everyone made me feel right at home and made me feel like I was already part of their program.
-
The intimate atmosphere of the school is fantastic due to its small class size. I would definitely suggest looking for the interview building the night before the interview. Use a GPS to find the particular building because the addresses are not marked on the building.
-
Seems like a great school with a promising program. Working in teams can definitely be achieved at this school!
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office provide clearer directions to the building, possibly with a sign in the parking lot, and send out information packages earlier to interviewees. Some also expressed a desire to have a more comprehensive view of the college during their visit, especially under changing circumstances.
-
Perhaps have an administration sign in the parking lot that directs you to the right doors. Almost went into the Academic Wing when I first got to the building.
-
I think that they should send out the info packages earlier to those who are going to interview, that way people can ask questions while they are there. Also the building was hard to find, so I suggest making a map or sending one out through email.
-
I have no suggestions!
-
Though our schedule became slightly different due to the circumstances, it would have been nice to see all the aspects of the college rather than just the basics.
Success!
School has been added to your favorites.