Columbus, OH
Optometry Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 10% 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
8.5
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 124 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.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (91%)
Negatively (5%)
No change (5%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (50%)
Good (32%)
Average (18%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally provided positive feedback about their interview experience, expressing appreciation for the welcoming atmosphere, faculty, and resources of the school. Some suggested improvements such as making the interview process less intimidating, offering more comprehensive campus tours, and providing clearer communication about decision timelines.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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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.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
36 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.8 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
41% One-on-One
59% Group Interview
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File Type:
100% Open-File
0% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
33% Virtual
67% In-Person
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Interview Location (for In-Person):
100% At the School
0% Other Location
OSU-OPT-COMP interviews are an average of 36 minutes, with an average of 2.8 interviews. 41% of interviews are one-on-one, 67% are in-person, and 0% are closed-file. Of the in-person interviews, 100% are held at the school.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
Based on the responses provided, the most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about OAT scores and preparation methods, experiences with individuals of different perspectives, reasons for choosing specific schools, discrepancies between academic performance and standardized test scores, interest in specialties, decision-making processes, career motivations, strengths and weaknesses, and instances of making and learning from mistakes. These questions do not reference an MMI format or nondisclosure agreements.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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OAT scores/how did you prep
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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 made you choose the schools you applied to? How did you study for the OAT? Explain the discrepancy between course grade and OAT grade. Are you interested in any specialties?
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Why optometry? Where do you see optometry in 5 years?
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What grades did you get in your classes this past semester?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at The Ohio State University College Of Optometry discussed various scenarios requiring empathy and understanding different perspectives, as well as questions about their fit for the school and impressions of the optometry career. These responses indicate a mix of personal, situational, and career-oriented inquiries commonly encountered during the interview process, possibly in an MMI format with nondisclosure agreements in place.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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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?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Many applicants prepared for their interviews by utilizing the Student Doctor Network (SDN) forums, practicing with mock interview questions, and researching the school thoroughly online to be well-prepared for potential questions. They also focused on reviewing common interview questions and formulating thoughtful responses to showcase their qualifications and suitability for the program.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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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 was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at The Ohio State University College Of Optometry discussed a range of topics, including adapting to AI advances, handling interactions with diverse perspectives, showcasing leadership qualities, reflecting on mistakes and poor decisions, discussing strengths and weaknesses, and explaining optometry-related legislation or political issues. Additionally, references to MMI format, Multiple Mini Interview, and nondisclosure agreements suggest that respondents may have faced such a format and confidentiality restrictions during their interviews.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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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.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the welcoming and friendly atmosphere of the school, the professionalism and kindness of the staff and faculty, the modern facilities, and the emphasis on personal interactions during the interview process. Many applicants also appreciated the school's location within a larger university campus and the opportunities for social engagement and academic excellence.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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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 campus safety, the length and organization of the interview day, outdated facilities, lack of thoroughness in tours, and a desire for more engaging and informative experiences during the interview process. Suggestions included improving safety measures, updating facilities, enhancing tour experiences, and providing more opportunities for interaction with current students.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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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?
Applicants commonly wished they had known to bring extra comfortable shoes for long interview days, be prepared for a drawn-out schedule with periods of downtime, and to craft alternate stories for interview questions. They also emphasized the importance of being relaxed and conversational during the interview, having questions prepared, and the advantage of applying earlier due to rolling admissions processes.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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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
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
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.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants overwhelmingly praised the admissions office for being welcoming and kind, with minimal suggestions for improvement. A common suggestion was to conduct interviews at the beginning of the day, and to be more transparent with students about the reasons for their categorization.
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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,
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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CMH
40% interviewees used CMH (CMH), with 20% using Columbus (Columbus) and 20% using Columbus International (Columbus International) and 20% using Port Columbus International Airport (Port Columbus International Airport).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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30% Airplane
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60% Automobile
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5% Train or Subway
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5% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Comfort Suites (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at The Varsity Inn (average rating 8/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Comfort Suites
10/10
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The Varsity Inn
8/10
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Red Roof Inn
7/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Admissions staff (36%)
Faculty member (9%)
Student (55%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (95%)
Neutral (5%)
All Responses
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