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  • Pacific University College Of Optometry
  • Optometry School
  • Forest Grove, OR
Individual Feedback 1 20 Responses
Overall Experience

How did the interview impress you?

Response # Responders
Positively 19
Negatively 0
No change 1

What was the stress level of the interview?

Response Avg # Responders
3.16 19

0 = low, 10 = high

How you think you did?

Response Avg # Responders
8.45 20

0 = low, 10 = high

How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?

Response Avg # Responders
8.40 20

0 = low, 10 = high

Was this interview in-person or virtual?

Response # Responders
In Person 0
Virtual 1

Questions

How long was the interview?

Response # Responders
5 minutes 0
10 minutes 0
15 minutes 1
20 minutes 0
25 minutes 1
30 minutes 3
35 minutes 2
40 minutes 1
45 minutes 4
50 minutes 3
55 minutes 1
60+ minutes 4

Where did the interview take place?

Response # Responders
At the school 17
At a regional location 0
At another location 3

What was the style of the interview?

Response # Responders
One-on-one 14
In a group 6

What type of interview was it?

Response # Responders
Open file 5
Closed file 15

How many people interviewed you?

Response Average # Responders
1.75 20

What is one of the specific questions they asked you (question 1)?

"Why optometry?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What would your best friend say about you if they were here now?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"If your best friend was here and you stepped out of the room, what do you think they would say about you?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What is your hobby" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Describe how you became interested in optometry?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What led you to consider optometry?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Why does biomechanics interest you?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Tell me about yourself" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Why haven't I shadowed yet?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What type of things do you like to do?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What was the last book you read? haha, dont say Harry Potter. lucky for me, he was a fan!" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"We actually signed a confidentiality statement saying we wouldn't share details of our interview and questions, but the questions were all normal, nothing out of the blue." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Tell me about a situation that was very stressful and how you delt with it." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"If we could fly your best friend here right now, what would he or she say about you?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Just basic stuff...why optometry? why pacific?....etc" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How has your day been?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Why optometry? Why Pacific?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

What is one of the specific questions they asked you (question 2)?

"What's an optometrist?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What would your best friend change about you?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What do you like to do for fun?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What would your best friend say about you?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What can you bring to Pacific?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Have you done any research?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Why Temple?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What is it about Pacific's program that interests you?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What's the most recent movie you've seen?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Tell me something about yourself that describes your personality is not covered in your letters or application." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Tell me about your observation experience. " More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What are your hobbies and interests?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Why Pacific?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Tell us about your observations. " More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

What is one of the specific questions they asked you (question 3)?

"why did you want to go to pacific?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What are your strengths/can you bring to Pacific University?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Why optometry" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What did you learn during your shadowing experiences about optometry (both good and bad)?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How would your best friend describe you?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"If your best friend were here, what would he/she say about you?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What non-science class did you like the most?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Is there anything else you would like me to know. Maybe a question you had a great answer to and I didn't ask. " More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What could you bring/add to Pacific's campus?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Why optometry?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Why do you think you would be a good fit for Pacific?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

What was the most interesting question?

"How would you identify somebody whose stressed and how would you suggest they manage it?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"what are your thoughts on organic food?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"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." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What characteristics do you think are essential for optometrists, and which of these do you lack?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"N/A" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Nothing really, prof was familiar with my undergrad and impressed. Pretty much accepted right there." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What type pf learner are you? (visual/auditory)" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"My DPM didn't really ask me questions. Basically told me he knew I could do it, that I was accepted in his book, and would put in the good word" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What's the most recent movie you have seen? " More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How was your experience like at Texas A&M?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"They had us sign an sheet saying we would not share the specific questions." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"If I would pay for you to go anywhere in the world and take any type of class (from school to scuba diving) where would you go?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"If you could go back and take more classes in undergrad that are not prereqs, what kind of classes would you take?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"I'm not going to get specific on the questions, but I will say that there were no ''tricks'' and the questions were very basic in nature. They just asked questions to get to know you as a person and student. Interviews are closed file so be sure to bring up your extracirriculars and activities because the interviewers know nothing about you!" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What your best friend would say good/bad about you." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"If we could bring your closest friend into the room, what would he or she say about you?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

What was the most difficult question?

"Name a song that describes you" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Nothing too difficult, but I would say the ethical question." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Why should we choose you over another, equally-qualified candidate?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"No tough question, just a conversation really." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"If there is anything you would like the admissions committee to know about you, what would that be?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Why haven't I shadowed yet?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"I see you applied to dental schools, were you interviewed, and if so, how committed are you to podiatry?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"See above" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Tell me the characteristics you think make someone a good student and tell me which you possess." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What qualities do you think an optometrist should possess? And which of these characteristics do you think you possess already? Which do you not yet possess?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What was a stressful situation in your life and how did you deal with it." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"(general theme of the question... I can't remember the exact wording) Think back to a class that you had difficulty in. Why were you having problems? What did you do (or could you have done) to overcome that difficulty?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

How did you prepare for the interview?

"student doctor network" More from this Member | Report Response

"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." More from this Member | Report Response

"Looks up practice interview questions, wrote down bullet point answers, then answered them out loud. Also attended a mock interview." More from this Member | Report Response

"SDN" More from this Member | Report Response

"SDN, various optometric websites, searched online for interview questions and rehearsed." More from this Member | Report Response

"SDN, practiced interviewing with family, previous optometry school interviews" More from this Member | Report Response

"I had been to several before so I just went over the information packet and made sure I had written down a few questions to ask." More from this Member | Report Response

"Sdn, school website" More from this Member | Report Response

"SDN interview feedback, mock interview, rereading my OptomCas responses, and the supplemental application questions." More from this Member | Report Response

"SDN, read the info in the school interview folder" More from this Member | Report Response

"Read the packet that was sent by TUSPM and looked at the school website, read SDN " More from this Member | Report Response

"Read SDN, read personal statement, went to other interviews, lived amongst eskimos. . .j/k, " More from this Member | Report Response

"Read Interview feedback on this site, prepare the standard questions: why optometry?, why this school?, strengths/weaknesses, browse the Pacific website and learn about the school." More from this Member | Report Response

"Read through SDN forums, re-read my essay answers from my app, relaxed the night before" More from this Member | Report Response

"I had a couple of mock interviews at school and they gave me a really good idea of what to expect." More from this Member | Report Response

"Read over practice questions from SDN, read over info about the school, spoke with current students." More from this Member | Report Response

"I mostly just relaxed, got a lot of sleep, and made sure that I knew what I wanted to say. I practiced talking to myself in the mirror with what I would answer to some basic questions." More from this Member | Report Response

"Just said to myself, ''Be yourself!''" More from this Member | Report Response

"Mock interviews with friends, family Read SDN Studied the school's website to become more familiar with the school's background" More from this Member | Report Response

What impressed you positively?

"very nice faculty members" More from this Member | Report Response

"At lunch, being able to talk to current students and professors" More from this Member | Report Response

"The professor, students and staff are super nice." More from this Member | Report Response

"Very positive atmosphere. I like that they have clinics in different places. The health professions campus in Hillsboro. Living costs is cheap!!" More from this Member | Report Response

"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." More from this Member | Report Response

"Busy clinic, ethusiastic students, casual conversation with DPM's in the clinic, nice tour, location of school." More from this Member | Report Response

"Clinic" More from this Member | Report Response

"The friendliness of the faculty, students & staff. The facilities." More from this Member | Report Response

"Everyone was very friendly. The admissions staff were excited to have us there. The students seemed to all get along well with one another." More from this Member | Report Response

"Facilities are described by others to be shabby, but i don't think that is the case and i do believe MANY students on this site engage in "school wars". the facilities were not BRILLIANT AND SPECTACULAR, but they are MORE THAN ADEQUATE to receive a podiatric medical education. Admissions staff were extremely helpful and seemed very genuine in their approach in making our day very structured. David Martin was out sick, so another member of the admissions staff helped us. It was long and they showed us as much as possible including any new facilities they might have built. Also, they are not "affiliated" with Temple, but rather a PART of Temple U, which I think is great seeing as how TU is a school that is actively improving its reputation. The students who talked with us at lunch were very professional, as well as the students who we met in the clinical setting." More from this Member | Report Response

"All the faculty and students are really there to help each other and us there for the interview. Everyone was happy to see you there, learn about you and answer any questions you had." More from this Member | Report Response

"The honesty of the staff, faculty and students. The incredible facilities! The amazing degree of professionalism from the student body. The profs are fantastic. The students and the profs have great relationships. The school is very student-centered. The program is geared towards specifically meeting your goals. Everyone is so nice!" More from this Member | Report Response

"The school was very laid back and every equal opertunity. The clinical rotations are chosen on a lottery system so that everyone has a fair chance. " More from this Member | Report Response

"The family-oriented atmosphere and small ''hometown'' feel to Forest Grove. It was not very intimidating and all of the faculty were very friendly and enthusastic." More from this Member | Report Response

"Pretty much everything, I loved Pacific. The most impressive thing for me was that I got to talk to faculty and the dean like they were my friends or colleagues, not as if I was subordinate." More from this Member | Report Response

"NICE people, VERY accomodating!" More from this Member | Report Response

"Very family-like and casual atmosphere The faculty are top notch GORGEOUS CAMPUS!!!" More from this Member | Report Response

What impressed you negatively?

"Not very conversational, Interviewers are constantly writing your responses. Completely closed, I wish the interviewers had at least read my essays." More from this Member | Report Response

"Some of the lab rooms were older but I heard that they are doing some remodeling this summer." More from this Member | Report Response

"The forest grove clinic is tiny. But you probably would work elsewhere. I would have like to see the 3D clinic" More from this Member | Report Response

"Jefferson Hall seemed a little small and outdated compared to other schools' optometry facilities. " More from this Member | Report Response

"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." More from this Member | Report Response

"Facilities are a bit old, but I had taken anatomy/histology in old labs before and it doesn't make a difference. " More from this Member | Report Response

"Only the small size of Forest Grove. The proximity to Portland & Hillsboro & the coast more than make up for that." More from this Member | Report Response

"clinic was busy but not overwhelmingly busy, bashing of the NYCPM program, you have to apply for scholarships your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years, they are definitely dorms" More from this Member | Report Response

"Only the location really. It's in a big city (downtown), and if you're not use to city life it could be a little overwhleming." More from this Member | Report Response

"The day was kind of long." More from this Member | Report Response

"The town of Forest Grove itself. It is quite small and run-down. " More from this Member | Report Response

"The school has an undergrad program... so it is disenchanting to be walking around campus with a bunch of 18 year old kids." More from this Member | Report Response

"The way some other students had dressed/ prepared. Jeans and hoodies in my opinion show a lack of respect for the interviewers." More from this Member | Report Response

"The clinicals director was very abrasive and tried to sugar-coat the fact that the clinics that actually had patients coming through at a steady pace were all located in Portland . . . an hour away. The facilities seemed a bit small." More from this Member | Report Response

"Nothing, absolutely nothing." More from this Member | Report Response

"Small facilities, clinical program presenter spent too much time defending the clinical program... Overall though I think the externships make up for that and great docs definately come out of the program." More from this Member | Report Response

"Forest Grove itself is small, but fortunately Portland is a short drive away! Campus clinic is very small and looked empty (they do have other clinics throughout the Portland metro area... but you don't get to see them!)" More from this Member | Report Response

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

"How long the day was going to be." More from this Member | Report Response

"That it was a long day. It does not end till 4ish" More from this Member | Report Response

"To relax. It is a very relaxed environment even during the interview." More from this Member | Report Response

"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!" More from this Member | Report Response

"How well Temple podiatry is integrated into the Temple University Health System." More from this Member | Report Response

"How many times I would hear how much better temple is than any other school I applied to" More from this Member | Report Response

"Nothing" More from this Member | Report Response

"Nothing. It was a good stress-free visit." More from this Member | Report Response

"The interview it seems can be either intense and scrutinizing, or laid-back. Mine was fairly laid back and frank." More from this Member | Report Response

"Nothing really." More from this Member | Report Response

"I wish I had remembered to bring an umbrella! " More from this Member | Report Response

"That the school was only 25 minutes from downtown portland and that most students go to the city 3+ times a week." More from this Member | Report Response

"Pacific attempts to accept an equal number of males and females for each class, so with the ratios going the way they are, all males should apply to Pacific since they'll have a great chance of getting in! I didn't see how this isn't discrimination of gender. Shouldn't all have an equal opportunity to be accepted regardless of gender, race, religion, etc?!" More from this Member | Report Response

"I'm from the Portland area, so nothing really surprised me." More from this Member | Report Response

"The 1st year budget is $45,000 and soph year an additional $8000 is needed for the summer. AHHHHH!" More from this Member | Report Response

"Can't think of anything..." More from this Member | Report Response

What are your general comments?

"It was a long interview day, but overall I liked how they scheduled everything." More from this Member | Report Response

"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." More from this Member | Report Response

"The hotel, Best Western, offers a 15% discount to students who are interviewing at Pacific." More from this Member | Report Response

"Pretty long day. Tour was long, but enjoyable. Everyone was friendly, nice lunch, very casual day." More from this Member | Report Response

"Pretty layed back. They know who is there for real, and those using pod school as a backup. " More from this Member | Report Response

"Awesome...very impressed with the facilities and staff, dorms could be better It's a good idea to shadow first then interview" More from this Member | Report Response

"I thought that it was a good experience. For being my first interview, it was very stress-free. I never felt pressured at all. The staff at TUSPM are very pationate about the school, which I feel is a good thing." More from this Member | Report Response

"I was interviewed by Dr. Newman, who was very frank and honest. He asked me what schools I had applied to, (i think this is pretty common to all the pod schools). He asked my thoughts on temple, he went over some of the things in my file, and said he was impressed with my letters. Most of the conversation I feel was geared towards assessing my personality as opposed to asking redundant questions like "why podiatry"? which every applicant has already answered through applying and an essay. i was asked how committed i am to podiatry." More from this Member | Report Response

"The interview and the whole day was very informative but a little long. Everyone was laid back and made the interviewers relaxed. All of my questions were answered by the time I had my interview (in the afternoon). There was a question and answer period with just some students so you could ask whatever you wanted and were not being evaluated by any teachers or admission committee members. " More from this Member | Report Response

"The prof and staff member (both on the admissions committee) were incredibly nice. I had a great time during my interview - and we even went over by 10-15 minutes! I was so relaxed and it was really like having a conversation with friends. The entire Interview Day was an awesome way of getting acquainted with the school." More from this Member | Report Response

"My interview was actually in Canada at the University of Alberta, which was great because it saved me the cost of flying to Oregon. The presentation was excellent and answered almost all of my questions and the interview was very laid back. I felt every comfortable and welcomed by the school." More from this Member | Report Response

"I was actually interviewed by two faculty, rather than the usual one faculty and one student. I did not prefer this format. The two were sitting rather close but far apart from each other, so splitting my attention between the two while I spoke nearly got me dizzy. It was NOT as relaxed as everyone makes it out to be because with a 2-on-1 interview, it's much more difficult for the interview to flow like a conversation. The interviewers took turns asking questions and they were much trickier and difficult to answer (at least about yourself) than my other interviews. The interviewers almost lost their personalities as soon as it was my turn to be asked questions, and then became people again when it was my turn to ask questions at the end. It was really intimidating. I also was very UNimpressed with the clinicals director - he was rapid-firing questions at us applicants at a very vulnerable time and completely ignored some people in the room. I found him to be borderline unprofessional. The area is gorgeous though - great for someone used to the small, hometown feel. It's also great having the undergrad right there because it opens up the extra curriculars like sports and music so that it's not always the same 30 people participating! It's a very active campus, and the cafeteria was fantastic. Save room for a big burrito!" More from this Member | Report Response

"It's a LONG day, however, it really gives you the opportunity to see what it would be like to spend a lot of time there. First we wrote a quick essay, and sat in on a class. Then the Clinical Director gave us a talk. Then Janelle (the Admissions Director) told us everything we needed to know about Pacific and Financial Aid. Then a representative from Student Services came and talked for about 15 minutes. Then lunch. Then tours and interviews. Last, everyone got together and had dessert and talked with the faculty (my favorite part). " More from this Member | Report Response

"Very positive. Super nice people and I was very relaxed. " More from this Member | Report Response

"Pacific held an Interview Day, and I was with ~15 other applicants. We got a tour of the school, sat in on a class, faculty lunch, student panel, and of course, the interview. It was very laid back and I felt like I got a good impression of the school, and what it had to offer. " More from this Member | Report Response

Tour and Travel

Who was the tour given by?

Response # Responders
Student 12
Faculty member 2
Admissions staff 4
Other 1

How did the tourguide seem?

Response # Responders
Enthusiastic 13
Neutral 4
Discouraging 1

How do you rank the facilities?

Response Avg # Responders
7.11 19

0 = low, 10 = high

What is your in-state status?

Response # Responders
In state 2
Out of state 17

What was your total time spent traveling?

Response # Responders
0-1 hour 3
2-3 hours 5
4-6 hours 4
7+ hours 5

What was your primary mode of travel?

Response # Responders
Airplane 8
Automobile 8
Train or subway 2
Other 1

What airport did you use?

Portland

PHL

PDX

Where did you stay?

Response # Responders
At school facility 0
With students at the school 0
Friends or family 3
Hotel 9
Home 0
Other 1

About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?

Response # Responders
< $100 4
$101-$200 4
$201-$300 2
$301-$400 3
$401-$500 0
$501+ 3

Comments on where you stayed

No responses

General Info

How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?

Response Avg # Responders
8.25 20

0 = low, 10 = high

What is your ranking of this school's location?

Response Avg # Responders
6.84 19

0 = low, 10 = high

What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?

Response Avg # Responders
7.47 19

0 = low, 10 = high

How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?

Response Avg # Responders
8.00 8

0 = low, 10 = high

How is the friendliness of the admissions office?

Response Avg # Responders
8.63 8

0 = low, 10 = high

How eco-friendly are the school's application materials and interview process?

Response Avg # Responders
7.14 7

0 = low, 10 = high

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