University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry
Birmingham, AL
Optometry Schools | Public Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 17% of interviews, indicating it is highly 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 "Tell me about yourself," questions about experiences in the field, reasons for choosing a specific school, academic performance, leadership experiences, extracurricular activities, hobbies, and motivations for pursuing a career in optometry. Some respondents mentioned a format resembling MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) where they were asked to talk about themselves extensively, hinting at a nondisclosure agreement regarding specific questions asked during the interview.
-
Have you worked in the optometry field (or anywhere)?
-
Tell me about yourself/your introduction to optometry
-
Was there anything you saw during shadowing that you did not like/any negative experiences?
-
Tell me about yourself
-
Why UAB?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry discussed a variety of topics including shadowing experiences, reasons for choosing optometry, personal background, and hobbies. The interview format may have been an MMI, as some responses were limited due to nondisclosure agreements.
-
I didn't really have many questions, it was really just a conversation.
-
I was asked if I had considered going into pharmacy, and why i did not see that as a fit for myself
-
What have you seen through your shadowing hours? (glaucoma, cataracts, contact lenses, etc.)
-
it was all basic.
-
How's your shadowing experience?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry discussed various topics such as naming shadowed optometrists, reasons for pursuing optometry beyond initial explanations, and identifying current issues in the field. Some respondents mentioned a conversational flow during the interviews, while others highlighted the importance of preparing multiple reasons for pursuing optometry.
-
N/A
-
Asking me to name the optometrists I have shadowed in the past
-
Tell me about yourself including high school.
-
nothing really.
-
What else make you want to be an optometrist besides the reason you told us? I kind of run out of ideas , make sure you prepare a lot of reasons
🤝 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 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 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 2-3 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 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
-
Birmingham and Atlanta (heading out)
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
-
it was right closed by the school and it called st
-
don't remember
-
Pickwick Hotel
-
Doubletree
-
Best Western
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?
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 practicing with Student Doctor Network (SDN) questions, conducting mock interviews, researching the school's values and mission statement, and reviewing common interview questions. Many also sought feedback from others, such as current students, and engaged in mock interviews through university resources.
-
SDN questions, flashcards, researched the school
-
SDN questions
-
I reviewed the website to learn about values and read their mission statement
-
SDN and writing out answers to common interview questions.
-
Researched practice questions and scheduled a mock interview the pre-professional committee at my University.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the welcoming and friendly atmosphere at the school, with many highlighting the sense of community and family feel. They appreciated the kindness of staff and interviewers, the quality of facilities, and the emphasis on student success. Suggestions for improvement were not commonly mentioned, as the focus was on positive aspects of the school.
-
Everyone was super friendly and welcoming, you are with a student or faculty member from the second you park your car until you leave! Students of various ages helping with the tour, lots of opportunities to ask questions!
-
The staff and interviewers are so kind. Genuinely super nice people! They made the interview day very low stress.
-
I was extremely impressed by how kind everyone was, and I was impressed by how they really did feel like a family there
-
The facilities, family atmosphere, research opportunities.
-
How much they care about their students success.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions related to the lack of social interaction during their visit, the unattractive location of the school in downtown Birmingham, and the absence of on-campus graduate living centers. Suggestions included improving opportunities for social engagement during waiting periods and considering enhancing the appeal of the school's location and housing options.
-
Not the school's fault, but it was a little awkward coming without a guest (parent, s/o, etc). There are some waiting periods where it would be nice to have someone to talk to, but I just reviewed my notes/looked through handouts instead!
-
Nothing!
-
Nothing.
-
nothing really.
-
That none of the students seemed to enjoy being there
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the dress code and schedule, as well as how laid-back and conversational the interview process would be. A suggestion that emerged was to not stress too much and to be prepared for both open file one-on-one and closed file panel interviews.
-
The dress code (most applicants were "elevated" business casual) and the schedule
-
Try to not be so stressed.
-
I wish i had known how kind and easy going they would have been, just to help with the nerves of going into the interview.
-
It was way more casual than I was expecting.
-
That you have an open file section that is one-on-one, Then you have a closed file section that involves two people asking you questions. Also, my interview was on Zoom because of the pandemic.
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally expressed positive experiences with the interview process at UAB, highlighting the friendly and welcoming atmosphere, the low-stress nature of the interviews, and the impressive facilities and faculty. Some mentioned the importance of being genuine and confident during the interviews, while a few noted concerns about commuting and the location of the school.
-
I really enjoyed my time at UAB! The interview event was enjoyable and low-stress (once you got there), and the faculty and students were so genuine and nice.
-
It was an open file interview (one on one) and a closed file interview (2 members). Everyone was extremely nice and understanding about being nervous
-
Such an incredible school, amazing facilities, incredible faculty, top notch all around. It is one of the top “research” schools, but it doesn’t seem like they pressure you to do research at all.
-
UAB was fantastic! Everyone was very friendly.
-
There was an open file interview as well as a closed file interview. Both were very relaxed.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest providing more detailed information in interview invitations, improving online accessibility of program details, offering better hospitality for guests, and allowing more time for decision-making after acceptance. They also recommend ensuring timely communication of interview details to applicants.
-
I think including the schedule in the email inviting the applicant to their interview would help, even if it hasn't been finalized, just so they know what to expect. Otherwise it was great!
-
The dual degree program information could be more accessible online.
-
Nothing really.
-
Allow guests to stay for lunch. Also, make sure the tour guide is not saying negative things about the school.
-
Provide a better lunch and allow guests to partake
Success!
School has been added to your favorites.