The Ohio State University College Of Optometry
Columbus, OH
Optometry Schools | Public Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 10% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a moderate 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 balancing time between academics, leadership experiences, handling challenges, motivations for pursuing optometry, strengths and weaknesses, and specific instances of decision-making or overcoming difficulties. Some respondents mentioned questions related to OAT preparation, school choices, and experiences with different perspectives, which may indicate an MMI format with potential nondisclosure agreements in place.
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How do you balance your time between school and academics?
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OAT scores/how did you prep
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Tell me about a time you acted as a leader.
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How you did you study for the OAT? What other schools did you apply to and why?
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Tell me about a time you faced a challenge, what you learned from it, how it helped you?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at The Ohio State University College Of Optometry discussed a range of topics including empathy, diverse perspectives, practice preferences, personal fit for the school, impressions of optometry as a career, challenges faced, and decision-making experiences. Some responses hinted at an MMI format with potential nondisclosure agreements in place.
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Tell me about a time you put yourself in someone else's shoes and acted with empathy.
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Tell me about a time you had an experience with someone with a different background or perspective from you.
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What would you love most about practice, and what would you like least (not counting insurance or billing)?
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What is your glasses prescription?
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Why are you a good fit for our school?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at The Ohio State University College Of Optometry discussed various scenarios such as adapting to AI in optometry, handling diverse perspectives, demonstrating leadership qualities, reflecting on past mistakes or poor decisions, and discussing personal strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, some respondents mentioned questions related to their experiences, challenges faced, and knowledge of optometric legislation or political issues. It appears that the interviews may have been structured in an MMI format, with some respondents possibly bound by nondisclosure agreements.
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How can optometry adapt to new advances in AI that could do optometrists' job for them?
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Tell me about a time you had in interaction with someone with a different perspective than you?
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What do you think you bring to OSU/optometry?
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Question in diversity and an interaction with someone who was different than you
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Identify one of these words (on a leadership development handout) and explain how you feel you exemplify that quality as a leader.
🤝 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 3 people.
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.
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 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 Port Columbus International Airport (CMH)
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Port Columbus International Airport
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Columbus International
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Columbus
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CMH
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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The Varsity Inn
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Red Roof Inn
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Holiday Inn Express
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Holiday Inn
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Extended Stay America
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as average
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?
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The hotel was nice with friendly staff, but in a not safe area. I liked how close it was to campus.
✅ 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 utilizing resources such as the Student Doctor Network (SDN) for practice questions and feedback. They also focused on researching the school thoroughly and practicing potential interview questions with friends or family members.
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SDN questions
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Practice with questions from SDN
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SDN
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I mock interviewed with a friend, reviewed questions and answers on SDN
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SDN forums, researching the school thoroughly online, reading over my personal statement
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the welcoming and friendly environment at the school, the professionalism and kindness of the staff and faculty, the new facilities, and the personal and low-stress interview process. Many applicants also appreciated the opportunities to engage with current students, the campus facilities, and the school's commitment to excellence and preparing students for success.
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Beautiful school, new facilities, impressive academics, friendly staff
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Welcoming, facilities, faculty accomplishments, students were very social-able and down to earth.
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The interviewers were really kind and experienced so it made the interview flow very naturally. Throughout our time they would say positive things about my answers. They also gave me so much time to talk and answered my questions fully.
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I absolutely loved my interviewers. They made me feel really comfortable and tried to help me relax.
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The school is building a new clinic and classroom building
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about safety in the city, the length and setup of the interview day, the intimidating interview format, the run-down facilities, lack of thorough campus tours, and disappointment in the casual interview process. Suggestions included addressing safety concerns, improving the interview experience, updating facilities, providing more informative campus tours, and enhancing the overall recruitment process for applicants.
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The city did not feel very safe
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Length of interview day
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Nothing!
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The interview was set up to feel a bit intimidating- I was seated at the top of a huge "O" shaped table, with two faculty on each side, so that I had to turn in my chair to directly face each person. In addition, I spent a lot of time waiting around (almost 2 hours total) while the other applicants were interviewed. For a large portion of that waiting time, there were no student ambassadors or anyone to chat with, it just felt very awkward.
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Nothing
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Many applicants expressed a wish for knowing about the informal nature of the interview process, the need for extra preparation in terms of questions to ask or stories to share, and the importance of being proactive in engaging with tour guides and interviewers. Suggestions included bringing alternate stories, preparing additional questions, and being aware of the casual setting to ease nerves and make a positive impression.
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Bring extra shoes for the tour! I thought I would be fine in flats but I have so many blisters
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Interview day went from 8:30 to 5pm
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Craft alternate stories so you can diversify the settings once you already use one in a previous question.
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That there would be a lot of downtime during the day when we were just waiting, although the interview day itself was very drawn out. I arrived at 8:15 and didn't leave until almost 3:00.
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How laid back the interview would be
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally had positive experiences during the interview process, appreciating the welcoming atmosphere, but some felt the interview setup could be intimidating. Suggestions included applying early for an advantage and seeking a more comprehensive campus visit for a better understanding of the school.
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It was a really positive and convincing experience. Because of the interview day, it is my top choice currently.
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They asked me a bunch of things specific to my application!
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The faculty and student ambassadors were all very kind, the resources of the school are great, but I did not like how the interview was set up to feel very intimidating with the layout.
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Loved the school. Not so sure about how busy the campus is though.
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Overall the interview process was very enjoyable. It was nice to be on campus and get to talk to staff, students, and professors.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants mostly found the admissions office to be welcoming and kind, with no major suggestions for improvement. Some mentioned having interviews earlier in the day and a desire for more transparency in the decision-making process.
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None. They are so welcoming and so kind.
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None!
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Interview at beginning of day
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Not much. They were wonderful.
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Be more open with students and specific with them as to why they are put in certain categories,
Success!
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