SUNY - College Of Optometry
New York, NY
Optometry Schools | Public Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 11% 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 included inquiries about the candidate's interest in optometry, experiences with the field, reasons for choosing optometry over other professions like medicine, research interests, volunteer experiences, and specific optometric specialties they are familiar with. These questions focused on the candidate's background, motivations, qualifications, and future career goals within the field of optometry.
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Tell me about your leadership positions and your leadership style.
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Tell me about your time management skills.
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Tell me about yourself and why you're interested in optometry.
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How was Berkeley? (I went to UCB’s Opto-camp)
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Why optometry?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at SUNY - College Of Optometry discussed a wide range of topics including personal experiences, career preferences, political views, and decision-making processes. While no specific mention of an MMI format or nondisclosure agreements was provided, the questions varied from discussing academic improvements to sharing personal values and perspectives on global issues.
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How did you improve in biology for the OAT and how would you study in optometry school? (I struggled during undergrad but did well on OAT)
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One of the interviewers was curious about one of my extracurriculars (instrument).
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Are your parents OK with you moving so far away from home? (I'm from Southern California)
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Explain your trend in grades
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How do people your age feel about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict at your university (it was related, but i was surprised)
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at SUNY - College Of Optometry discussed a range of topics including experiences during shadowing, contributions to optometry, reasons for choosing SUNY, perception of healthcare legislation, community involvement as a future optometrist, and personal growth. Some respondents mentioned facing MMI questions, indicating a structured interview format with potential nondisclosure agreements.
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Have you ever seen anything while shadowing that you didn't like or had negative feelings about?
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What makes you a competitive applicant for us to choose you over other applicants?
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How do you hope to contribute to the field of optometry and help it push forward?
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Why SUNY? I sort of blanked out during this question >_<
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Nothing really. Very general questions
🤝 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.
No responses
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 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 John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
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LaGuardia
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La Guardia, NY
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LGA
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John F. Kennedy International
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JFK
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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best western plus
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The Algonquin
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Radisson
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LaQuinta, Manhattan
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Hotel Mela Times Square
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?
Applicants commonly prepared for their interviews by extensively researching potential questions from sources like SDN, practicing answers with friends, reviewing their personal statement and school information, and familiarizing themselves with current events in the field. Many also engaged in mock interviews and sought feedback from peers to refine their responses and gain confidence.
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SDN feedback
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Lots of research, have a list of questions ready to ask, reviewed notes from attending tours and webinars
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SDN
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I looked up interview questions on SDN.
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student doctor network interview feedback. (wasn't very helpful though, because it made me more nervous than I should've been)
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness of staff and interviewers, the centralized location of the school and clinic in Manhattan, the comprehensive facilities within one building, and the opportunities for diverse clinical experiences. They appreciated the stress-free interview process and the welcoming atmosphere, highlighting the approachability of faculty and the accessibility of optometric specialties. Some applicants also commented on the impressive clinical exposure and the convenience of having everything in one location, making eye care more accessible.
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The school tour and how friendly everyone was
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location, clinical facilities, faculty and staff were not intimidating at all
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Clinic located in same building as school
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Overall location, clinic, everything is in one building, cheaper than most other schools.
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How prestigious the campus is... As a student you'd be exposed to almost all optometric specialties, work with a small class size, get to know faculty really well, and explore NY culture.. all for a relatively cheap tuition!
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about outdated facilities, limited campus amenities like a gym or cafeteria, lack of personalization in the interview process, and negative interactions with interviewers. Suggestions include updating facilities, providing more information on academic support, improving the interview experience to focus on the applicant's qualities, and enhancing campus amenities to create a more welcoming environment.
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Nothing
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Nothing, interview was casual
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Nothing.
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Nothing - SUNY really is a world class optometry school
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out dated library.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Most applicants wished they had known ahead of time that the interview process would be low-stress, with no essay writing and basic questions. Some also mentioned the need for comfortable shoes due to the amount of walking involved in New York.
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The interview was really not bad! I have a feeling they must have rehauled the process because there's also no essay anymore.
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How low stress the interview would be. There was no essay writing. The faculty interviewers were very conversational and asked pretty basic questions. None of the current events/specialities questions mentioned on SDN were asked. Just know why optometry, why SUNY and you should be fine.
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That it would be very low stress
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how low stress it would be.
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i think i was very prepared for this interview. Due to the letter description of interview day and the admission receptionist's version of things ahead of time, I was able to anticipate every detail, down to where they were ordering lunch from. I had a time constraint, and the receptionist was kind enough to schedule the latest appointment so i would only have to be present for 3 hours. One thing though: I didnt know we'd be visiting the cadaver room on the tour; that was interesting/weird.
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly praised SUNY's optometry program for its comprehensive clinic, renowned faculty, research opportunities, rigorous academics, and prime location. They appreciated the stress-free and conversational interview style, emphasizing the importance of being themselves and maintaining professionalism. Some mentioned minor areas for improvement, such as the need for more friendliness from staff and clearer communication during the interview.
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Overall a great experience
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Results are mailed out via snail mail 1-2 weeks after your interview.
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I didn't realize why SUNY was such a great/competitive school until I visited the campus. SUNY's comprehensive clinic, reknown faculty, involvement in research, rigorous academics, prime location, and cheaper tuition price is really the best I've ever seen for an optometry school.
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The interview was not interrogation style like many people have said. I was not badgered on anything. It was very stress free. The facilities are amazing. They have started a lot of new programs to help the students. I don't think any school can possibly beat SUNY in terms of academics, patient diversity, faculty, facilities. SUNY is world class.
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The interview flowed like a conversation. I was expecting a cross-examination or interrogation due to comments on this site, but they were approachable and down to earth. At the end of the interview day, the 3 of us interviewees found out that we were in, which supposedly only happens when all interviewees of the day are accepted! also, notice my interview was in February, and i took the oat at the end of December, so there's definitely hope for late applicants despite rolling admission. Also, as far as dress goes, one applicant was dressed very plainly, another was rocking a silk top with her pants suit. In the end, I was happy that my outfit had a few quirks besides the strictly professional dress suit, and I think it was the right decision to go for a balance of interesting yet polished.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office should improve the standardization and depth of campus tours, as well as consider additional means of communication such as email notifications for acceptances. These suggestions aim to enhance the overall experience for prospective students and streamline the admissions process.
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The tour process should be more standardized. I was disappointed when the tour consisted of just going from floor to floor. The only thing I felt I saw of the school was the elevators and the signs that showed what floor we were on. Our tour group only saw an exam room in the clinic (vision therapy) AFTER one of us asked, and even then the tour guide was a little dismissive. Also, there is a gym on site. It would have been nice to see it. The only reason why our tour group found out about it was because someone in my group spotted it on the 3rd floor. Suny is a great school. show it off a little more
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Email notification of acceptances in addition to snail mail would be helpful.. I'm worried I won't receive my letter since I'll be traveling for a couple weeks after my interview.
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none
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Having an exit interview to go over the application file. I'm unsure if they do have that and forgot to do it with my group or they don't offer this at all.
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The interview confirmation letter should be more explicit that you want applicants to bring a pictur
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