Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Elkins Park, PA
Optometry Schools | Public Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 27% 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 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 explaining low grades, studying habits for standardized tests, leadership experiences, challenges and opportunities in the field of optometry, motivations for choosing a specific school, and personal strengths and weaknesses. Respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement as many references were made to MMI or Multiple Mini Interview formats throughout the responses.
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Explain low grades. How did you study for OAT?
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Tell me about a time you displayed or were inspired by someone else's leadership.
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What did you learn as an opt tech? Why Salus?(asked in a room with other students, not in the interview)
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How did you prepare for the OAT
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Leadership experiences
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry discussed a wide range of topics, including reflections on experiences with COVID, optometry school preferences, charitable donations, and personal accomplishments. While some responses mentioned MMI format and nondisclosure agreements, the majority of questions focused on evaluating candidates' motivations for pursuing optometry, challenges in the field, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities relevant to optometry practice.
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What did you take away from your experience with COVID?
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Why i got a D in a class. Was it because of the course load?
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What do you think you can get out of becoming a student at Salus?
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Summarize your undergraduate career (don't have to be specific).
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In this scenario, if you only had $100 to donate to charity. Which would it be? To buy educational supplies ie pens & books, medical supplies, or water?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry discussed a range of topics, including personal weaknesses, challenges in the field of optometry, and reasons for choosing optometry over ophthalmology. Some respondents mentioned an MMI format, where they were asked about internet healthcare impact, handling difficult situations, and non-academic gains from PCO, possibly under a nondisclosure agreement.
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If accepted, would you attend Salus?
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What are some problems with the field of Optometry
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None was difficult
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Are there any specialties you want to focus on during your time as an optometry student?
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How do you think you will be successful in optometry school based on past challenges?
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 40 - 50 minutes.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 1 person.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had a closed 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 more than $500.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
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Philly Airport
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Philadelphia
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Phil-International
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PHL
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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club quarters
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Wyndham Hotels - Days Inn Horsham
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The Hilton
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Sheraton Suites by Airport
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Residence Inn by Marriott Philadelphia Willow Grove
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?
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?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by utilizing resources such as Student Doctor Network (SDN), mock interviews, and reviewing their application and the school's website. Many emphasized practicing answering common interview questions, researching the school's curriculum and offerings, and being able to articulate their reasons for choosing optometry.
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SDN
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YouTube mock interviews, sdn questions, reviewing their website
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Used SDN and reddit.
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I watched YouTube videos and read as many articles as possible about how to perform my best in an interview. I tried to think about my most valuable life experiences and make sure to have them fleshed out so that I can give those examples to the interviewer if they ask. I asked my mom or a friend to ask me questions. I practiced answering questions in front of my camera (i.e. I opened my own private Zoom meeting and just spoke to myself). I copied and pasted questions to a google doc and just typed out my answers. I researched the school, about their curriculum and everything they offer, and how they compare to other schools to make sure I show I am knowledgeable about their school and how it compares to other schools.
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Student Doctor Network, YouTube videos, a lot of practicing with myself on the car ride there (It was a long drive to get there)
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the friendliness and welcoming nature of the staff and students, as well as the innovative technology and facilities at the institution. Many also appreciated the early clinical exposure, patient-focused curriculum, and the conversational tone of the interviews, highlighting the overall positive atmosphere and commitment to excellence at the school.
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Friendliness of the staff and the casual nature of the interview.
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Doctors and students at the clinic were very nice and eager to show us around
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The interviewer was easy to talk to. Made me feel less nervous
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That the interviewer was very kind, and of younger age. The interview felt like more of a conversation, and they allowed me to kind of talk freely about myself.
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Innovative, strong culture of commraderie, The Eye Institute, brand new equipment/technology, early patient exposure, residency programs, tutoring, curriculum, everything was very impressive
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the location of the school, particularly mentioning the rough and ghetto areas surrounding the campus and clinic. Many applicants noted the inconvenience of needing a car to travel to the clinic, the lack of public transportation options, and the distance between the school and clinic as significant drawbacks. Suggestions included improving the campus and clinic facilities, providing more information during tours, and addressing the isolated feeling of the area.
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The interview was rushed due to the fact that the interviewer had 2 students to talk to. Thought this was an easily fixable solution because other students returned to the waiting area before I was called in, so I could have been interviewed earlier by one of those admissions staff members, as opposed to waiting for mine. The interviewer also only let me ask one question.
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nothing
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Nothing.
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It does seem to be in a rough area of town like everyone else says. But maybe we're all just seeing one, narrow perspective. The tour they took us on can all be explored online so I had already seen all of it.
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The area.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Many applicants wished they had known ahead of time about the casual and relaxed nature of the interview process, the importance of preparing questions to show interest in the school, and the need to have a car due to unreliable public transportation. Additionally, there were mentions of the short duration of the interview, the lack of personalization in some interviews, and the mixed feedback about the surrounding area of the campus.
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I would have to hit multiple topics in each question since my time was short and she asked fewer questions than expected. She also had to cut my answers short to keep the interview moving so I felt things were half-answered.
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That the interview itself was very casual
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nothing
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That the interview wouldn't really be that long, and that I should prepare good questions to ask them that show I am interested in the school, and be able to research what makes Salus stand out among other schools.
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To know my interview would be so short and make sure I get everything in that I wanted them to know when making the decision to accept me.
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally commented on the positive aspects of the schools, such as strong clinical experiences and diverse patient exposure, but expressed concerns about limited interview time, unorganized processes, and the location of the clinics. Suggestions included being prepared for walking tours, having more interactive interviews, and providing clearer information about the interview structure and timeline.
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Despite its lower NBEO, Salus has many successful alumni which ultimately made me apply. They also have really strong, diverse clinical experience. I just wish I had more time with my interviewer
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The interview starts with a tour around school facilities and ends with a tour around the clinic, so be prepared for lots of walking.
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I would love to attend the school. It takes about 2 weeks for them to get back to you.
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The interview was very laid back, and low stress. Their admissions committee is very kind and understanding. They make you feel heard and take the effort to read your application so they can have a good conversation with you. They provide you with many chances to ask questions and also allow invite you to add anything if you feel like they didn't ask you.
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Fantastic school, incredible faculty and training, such a diverse patient exposure, really everything you would want in an optometry school. I think the school is honest about who they are and when they make mistakes. I found it refreshing how honest but genuine people were. I think anyone would be lucky to attend SALUS.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest that the admissions office should schedule more time for interviews, limit one student per admissions staff member, provide more engaging and enthusiastic tour guides, and improve overall organization and communication during the admissions process.
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Schedule more time for interviews and try to limit one student per admissions staff member.
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None. Thank you for making virtual interviews an option.
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Less time on a tour of the campus and more time with interviews to get a very clear understanding of the student you're considering.
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N/A everything was impressive!
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Have less interviews instead of offering so many dates; it would be easier to organize this way, and the applicants won't be so disappointed that they traveled so far to attend such an unorganized event
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