Forest Grove, OR
Optometry Schools | Private Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 18% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.4
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 104 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 (95%)
No change (5%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (45%)
Good (45%)
Average (10%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview day to be long but well-structured, with a positive overall experience interacting with staff and faculty. They appreciated the laid-back atmosphere, informative sessions, and opportunities to ask questions, although some found certain interview formats to be less relaxed and more challenging.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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It was a long interview day, but overall I liked how they scheduled everything.
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This school is unique and prestigious. I liked it because of it's proximity to where I live and its strong clinical program but if I was not from around the area, it would not be a top choice for me.
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The hotel, Best Western, offers a 15% discount to students who are interviewing at Pacific.
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Pretty long day. Tour was long, but enjoyable. Everyone was friendly, nice lunch, very casual day.
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Pretty layed back. They know who is there for real, and those using pod school as a backup.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
43 Minutes Average
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Number:
1.8 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
70% One-on-One
30% Group Interview
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File Type:
25% Open-File
75% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
Pacific-COMP interviews are an average of 43 minutes, with an average of 1.8 interviews. 70% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 75% are closed-file.
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 the applicant's motivation for pursuing optometry, interests, hobbies, how they handle stress, and their personal attributes as perceived by others. Additionally, some respondents mentioned an MMI format and a nondisclosure agreement, indicating that questions were standard but required confidentiality.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why optometry?
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What would your best friend say about you if they were here now?
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If your best friend was here and you stepped out of the room, what do you think they would say about you?
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What is your hobby
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Describe how you became interested in optometry?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at Pacific University College Of Optometry discussed various topics such as identifying stress in others, thoughts on organic food, essential characteristics for optometrists, preferred learning style, recent movies watched, travel desires, and hypothetical scenarios. Additionally, some respondents mentioned being part of an MMI format interview which required signing a nondisclosure agreement, while others highlighted questions focusing on personal attributes and ethical decision-making without any tricks or specific content disclosure.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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How would you identify somebody whose stressed and how would you suggest they manage it?
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What are your thoughts on organic food?
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I won't go into details but they give you an ethical situation and you have to figure out what is the best way to approach it.
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What characteristics do you think are essential for optometrists, and which of these do you lack?
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N/A
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by utilizing resources such as the Student Doctor Network (SDN), practicing with mock interviews, and researching potential questions to strengthen their responses. Many also reviewed their application materials, reached out to current students for insights, and familiarized themselves with the school's website to demonstrate a genuine interest in the program.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Student doctor network
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I looked up a lot of questions from SDN, read some tips on interviews and ask current optometry students about the interviews to help make my answers stronger.
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Looks up practice interview questions, wrote down bullet point answers, then answered them out loud. Also attended a mock interview.
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SDN
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SDN, various optometric websites, searched online for interview questions and rehearsed.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Pacific University College Of Optometry discussed a variety of topics including ethical dilemmas, personal qualities, reasons for pursuing optometry, and dealing with challenging situations in academics or life. While some mentioned specific questions like naming a song that describes them or explaining their commitment to podiatry, the overall focus seemed to be on assessing candidates' values, experiences, and problem-solving abilities rather than posing overly technical or specialized inquiries.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Name a song that describes you
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Nothing too difficult, but I would say the ethical question.
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Why should we choose you over another, equally-qualified candidate?
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No tough question, just a conversation really.
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If there is anything you would like the admissions committee to know about you, what would that be?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the friendly and supportive atmosphere at the school, where faculty, staff, and students were described as welcoming and enthusiastic. They also appreciated the beautiful campus, strong sense of community, and emphasis on student success and well-being. Some applicants highlighted the opportunity to interact with current students and faculty members, as well as the quality of facilities and resources available.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Very nice faculty members
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At lunch, being able to talk to current students and professors
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The professor, students and staff are super nice.
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Very positive atmosphere. I like that they have clinics in different places. The health professions campus in Hillsboro. Living costs is cheap!!
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The campus was beautiful and the students were very friendly. Staff really seem to care that their students not only do well academically, but succeed in their life goals as well.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the outdated or small facilities, particularly the clinical facilities located far from campus, and the lack of exposure to those facilities during the interview process. Suggestions included providing more information or opportunities to see all clinical facilities and ensuring interviewers are more engaging and conversational.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Not very conversational, Interviewers are constantly writing your responses. Completely closed, I wish the interviewers had at least read my essays.
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Some of the lab rooms were older but I heard that they are doing some remodeling this summer.
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The forest grove clinic is tiny. But you probably would work elsewhere. I would have like to see the 3D clinic
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Jefferson Hall seemed a little small and outdated compared to other schools' optometry facilities.
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We only were able to see 1/5 of the clinical facilities because the other 4 clinics were not located near campus. I wanted to see what they were like. Also, this means that the students have to commute more to go to the clinics.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known how long the interview day would be and that it was a relaxed environment focused on getting to know them personally. They also suggested bringing specific questions and being prepared for either an intense or laid-back interview experience.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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How long the day was going to be.
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That it was a long day. It does not end till 4ish
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To relax. It is a very relaxed environment even during the interview.
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Not to worry because the interview was mainly about getting to know us personally, not drilling us to see what we knew. Also, bring specific questions because they had a student-led question and answer session which was really helpful!
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How well Temple podiatry is integrated into the Temple University Health System.
🤝 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 generally had positive feedback about the admissions office but suggested scheduling interviews earlier in the day for convenience.
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Nothing, it was great!
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Interview earlier in the day
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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PDX
43% interviewees used PDX (PDX), with 29% using PHL (PHL) and 14% using Portland (Portland) and 14% using portland (portland).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by airplane to the interview.
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42% Airplane
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42% Automobile
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11% Train or Subway
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5% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Avalon Hotel and Spa in Portland, OR (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at Doubletree (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Avalon Hotel and Spa in Portland, OR
10/10
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Doubletree
10/10
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DoubleTree Hotel
10/10
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 (21%)
Faculty member (11%)
Other (5%)
Student (63%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Discouraging (6%)
Enthusiastic (72%)
Neutral (22%)
All Responses
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