Houston, TX
Optometry Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Ask questions about this school. Answers use aggregated data and are subject to error.
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 7% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
9.1
Exceptional
Outstanding interview experience: exceptionally organized, highly professional staff, strong communication, and very low stress.
Based on 141 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
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
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about the candidate's journey to the field, their reasons for choosing the specific profession, challenges faced in academics, opinions on industry-related topics, study habits, and future outlook for the profession. Some respondents mentioned a conversational MMI format with questions about optometry practice settings, patient relationships, and the impact of advertising, possibly under a nondisclosure agreement.
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Journey to optometry?
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What are your hobbies
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Tell me about yourself (why optometry included)
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why uhco
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What was your most challenging course in undergrad, and how did you overcome it?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Houston, College Of Optometry discussed a variety of topics, including time management skills, hypothetical scenarios, favorite activities when stressed, and opinions on current events. Some respondents mentioned an MMI format, indicating a possible nondisclosure agreement in place during the interviews.
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Where else did you apply?
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The MMI question came out of nowhere lol
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What have you been doing since you've graduated? (I took a year off)
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They asked me about my time management/organizational skills.
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A "no right answer" hypothetical scenario.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Houston, College Of Optometry discussed various topics including teaching something in 5 minutes, explaining GPA fluctuations, differentiating between optometrists and ophthalmologists, discussing current events in the U.S., and comparing public vs. private schools. Some responses hinted at an MMI format, possibly involving nondisclosure agreements due to the sensitivity of questions asked.
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Teach me something in 5 minutes
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Why was your gpa lower than your oat
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What was your most challenging course in undergrad, and how did you overcome it?
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Since it was open file, explaining why my GPA rollercoastered up and down caught me a little off-guard.
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"Teach me something non-medical in 5 minutes or less."
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 2 people.
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.
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.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Many applicants prepared for the interview by researching common questions online, practicing mock interviews, utilizing resources like SDN, and learning about the school and profession. They also sought feedback from friends, advisors, and online forums to enhance their preparation and confidence.
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SDN, basic interview questions
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SDN interview bank, other friends' feedback of the interview
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looked up common interview questions, reviewed my application
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I practiced common questions I found online
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Typed up answers to mock interview questions.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the modern facilities, friendly staff and faculty, along with the emphasis on technology and opportunities for hands-on experience. Many mentioned the positive atmosphere and interactions with faculty and students as major factors contributing to their positive impressions of the school.
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Online interview - UHCO seems really up to date with technology, lasers/surgery and seems to offer many opportunities.
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The facility, the atmosphere, the students
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Progressive school, facilities are new and modern.
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Facilities, friendliness of staff & faculty.
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Staff, Facilities, Clinic, pretty much everything!
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were most commonly unimpressed with the lack of out-of-state opportunities for externships and negative interview experiences, including instances of rudeness from interviewers. Suggestions include offering more diverse externship locations and ensuring interviewers are welcoming and respectful.
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UHCO may not be an ideal school for out-of-state students if they are wanting to practice outside Texas - it seems most of UHCO's externship sites are in Texas. My interview didn't seem to be the best because one of my interviewers came off as rude, rubbing her eyes for 1 minute, looking around, etc. I felt as if I was not being paid attention to and boring, did not feel welcome (first interview I felt like this).
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One of my interviewers was somewhat hostile, the other 2 were friendly
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Nothing
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Nothing - great experience!
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none
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wish they had known the duration of the school tour, the timing of acceptance notifications after interviews, the importance of leaving early to account for traffic, and how to navigate to the school. Additionally, some mentioned minor personal oversights they wished they had prepared for in advance.
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Nothing
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How long the tour of the school was going to last.
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the tour is kind of long.
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That you know if you are accepted usually right after the interview!
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The traffic is crazy! LEAVE EARLY to make sure you're on time. When I showed up a 20 minutes early, there were already other applicants there waiting.
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally expressed positive feedback about the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere during the interview process at UHCO, highlighting the friendly faculty and stress-free nature of the experience. Suggestions included being prepared, knowing the interviewer's role, and emphasizing the importance of being oneself during the interview.
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Impressed by the facility, and the staff seemed very welcoming! Was a completely stress-free interview - it more was of a conversation than anything else.
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Relax. If accepted you will typically get a phone call that evening.
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Handed me the acceptance letter at the end of the interview!
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Make sure you know who your interviewer is in terms of their role at the school and what they like to be involved in.
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be yourself.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants generally had positive experiences and did not have any specific suggestions for the admissions office, indicating they were satisfied with the process and felt it was well-handled.
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Nothing - I thoroughly enjoyed my interview day.
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They're doing a great job!
📍 On-Site Experience ▼
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Faculty member
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in state students.
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 between $101 and $200.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
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Bush Intercontinental (IAH)
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Bush International
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HOU
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Hobby
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IAH
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
The most commonly mentioned hotel is the "Hilton on UH campus".
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Hilton on UH campus
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Omni Hotel
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The Double Tree (near the IAH airport)
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 are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
All Responses
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