Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus at Drexel University Interview Feedback Summary
Elkins Park, PA
Optometry Schools | Private Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 27% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.0
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 304 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 (84%)
Negatively (7%)
No change (9%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (55%)
Good (32%)
Average (13%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview process at the school to be positive and engaging, with a focus on building a conversation rather than a formal question-answer session. They appreciated the friendly staff, diverse clinical experiences, and state-of-the-art facilities, but some mentioned concerns about the location and organization of the interview day.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Despite its lower NBEO, Salus has many successful alumni which ultimately made me apply. They also have really strong, diverse clinical experience. I just wish I had more time with my interviewer
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The interview starts with a tour around school facilities and ends with a tour around the clinic, so be prepared for lots of walking.
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I would love to attend the school. It takes about 2 weeks for them to get back to you.
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The interview was very laid back, and low stress. Their admissions committee is very kind and understanding. They make you feel heard and take the effort to read your application so they can have a good conversation with you. They provide you with many chances to ask questions and also allow invite you to add anything if you feel like they didn't ask you.
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Fantastic school, incredible faculty and training, such a diverse patient exposure, really everything you would want in an optometry school. I think the school is honest about who they are and when they make mistakes. I found it refreshing how honest but genuine people were. I think anyone would be lucky to attend SALUS.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
38 Minutes Average
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Number:
1.2 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
95% One-on-One
5% Group Interview
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File Type:
26% Open-File
74% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
50% Virtual
50% In-Person
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Interview Location (for In-Person):
100% At the School
0% Other Location
PCO-COMP interviews are an average of 38 minutes, with an average of 1.2 interviews. 95% of interviews are one-on-one, 50% are in-person, and 74% are closed-file. Of the in-person interviews, 100% are held at the school.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include explaining low grades, discussing challenges and opportunities in the field of optometry, sharing experiences related to optometry preparation, decision-making processes, stress management, and motivations for choosing optometry as a career. Some respondents mentioned questions about strengths and weaknesses, optometric experiences, reasons for selecting a particular school, and awareness of current issues in the optometry field. It's important to note that some interviews were in an MMI format, possibly involving a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Explain low grades. How did you study for OAT?
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What are some problems with the field of Optometry
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What are some opportunities in the optometry field
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What do you think is one of the biggest problems optometry is facing today?
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What do you hope to gain from coming to SALUS?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus at Drexel University discussed a wide range of topics including experiences with COVID, reasons for academic performance, aspirations as an optometry student, and charitable inclinations. While some respondents mentioned typical interview questions about challenges in optometry, personal accomplishments, and stress management, it appears that the interview format may have been an MMI with a focus on nondisclosure, as indicated by references to a broad array of standard questions and the need to stand out among other interviewees.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What did you take away from your experience with COVID?
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Why i got a D in a class. Was it because of the course load?
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What do you think you can get out of becoming a student at Salus?
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Summarize your undergraduate career (don't have to be specific).
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In this scenario, if you only had $100 to donate to charity. Which would it be? To buy educational supplies ie pens & books, medical supplies, or water?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by utilizing resources such as Student Doctor Network (SDN), YouTube videos, and mock interviews. They focused on practicing common interview questions, researching the school, and being ready to discuss their experiences and motivations for pursuing optometry. Many also emphasized the importance of rehearsing with friends or family, reviewing their application, and ensuring they were well-versed in optometry-related topics.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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SDN
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YouTube mock interviews, sdn questions, reviewing their website
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Used SDN and reddit.
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I watched YouTube videos and read as many articles as possible about how to perform my best in an interview. I tried to think about my most valuable life experiences and make sure to have them fleshed out so that I can give those examples to the interviewer if they ask. I asked my mom or a friend to ask me questions. I practiced answering questions in front of my camera (i.e. I opened my own private Zoom meeting and just spoke to myself). I copied and pasted questions to a google doc and just typed out my answers. I researched the school, about their curriculum and everything they offer, and how they compare to other schools to make sure I show I am knowledgeable about their school and how it compares to other schools.
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Student Doctor Network, YouTube videos, a lot of practicing with myself on the car ride there (It was a long drive to get there)
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus at Drexel University discussed a variety of topics, including challenges in the field of optometry, personal weaknesses and strengths, academic performance explanations, and the impact of the internet on healthcare. Many responses hinted at an MMI format with a possible nondisclosure agreement due to mentions of specific prompts or difficulty in providing detailed information beyond standard responses.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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If accepted, would you attend Salus?
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What are some problems with the field of Optometry
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None was difficult
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Are there any specialties you want to focus on during your time as an optometry student?
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How do you think you will be successful in optometry school based on past challenges?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendliness of the staff, the innovative culture, and the modern facilities, including the newly renovated Eye Institute clinic. Many highlighted the emphasis on patient-focused curriculum, early clinical exposure, and the welcoming environment during interviews and campus tours. Suggestions included expanding on the diversity of the student body and enhancing resources for private practice preparation.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Friendliness of the staff and the casual nature of the interview.
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Doctors and students at the clinic were very nice and eager to show us around
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The interviewer was easy to talk to. Made me feel less nervous
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That the interviewer was very kind, and of younger age. The interview felt like more of a conversation, and they allowed me to kind of talk freely about myself.
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Innovative, strong culture of commraderie, The Eye Institute, brand new equipment/technology, early patient exposure, residency programs, tutoring, curriculum, everything was very impressive
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were mostly unimpressed by the location and surroundings of the campus and clinic, citing concerns about safety, the area being rough or ghetto, the distance between the school and clinic, the lack of public transportation, and the need for a car. Suggestions for improvement included renovations to outdated facilities, better organization of interviews and tours, and enhancing the overall appeal of the campus and surrounding neighborhood.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The interview was rushed due to the fact that the interviewer had 2 students to talk to. Thought this was an easily fixable solution because other students returned to the waiting area before I was called in, so I could have been interviewed earlier by one of those admissions staff members, as opposed to waiting for mine. The interviewer also only let me ask one question.
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Nothing
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Nothing.
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It does seem to be in a rough area of town like everyone else says. But maybe we're all just seeing one, narrow perspective. The tour they took us on can all be explored online so I had already seen all of it.
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The area.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the casual and laid-back nature of the interview process, the importance of preparing thoughtful questions to ask, the need for personal transportation, and the standard list of questions interviewers may ask. They also mentioned the unexpected length of the interview and the lack of personalization in some interview formats.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I would have to hit multiple topics in each question since my time was short and she asked fewer questions than expected. She also had to cut my answers short to keep the interview moving so I felt things were half-answered.
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That the interview itself was very casual
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Nothing
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That the interview wouldn't really be that long, and that I should prepare good questions to ask them that show I am interested in the school, and be able to research what makes Salus stand out among other schools.
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To know my interview would be so short and make sure I get everything in that I wanted them to know when making the decision to accept me.
🤝 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 commonly suggest that the admissions office schedule more time for interviews with one student per staff member, improve staff friendliness and enthusiasm during tours, and reduce wait times and disorganization during the admissions process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Schedule more time for interviews and try to limit one student per admissions staff member.
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None. Thank you for making virtual interviews an option.
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Less time on a tour of the campus and more time with interviews to get a very clear understanding of the student you're considering.
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N/A everything was impressive!
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Have less interviews instead of offering so many dates; it would be easier to organize this way, and the applicants won't be so disappointed that they traveled so far to attend such an unorganized event
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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PHL
65% interviewees used PHL (PHL), with 12% using phl (phl) and 12% using Phil-International (Phil-International) and 6% using Philadelphia (Philadelphia) and 6% using Philly Airport (Philly Airport).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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43% Airplane
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46% Automobile
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6% Train or Subway
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6% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Holiday Inn (average ranking 7/10), with some staying at Hampton Inn (average rating 7.3/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Holiday Inn
7/10
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Hampton Inn
7.3/10
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Days Inn Horsham
8.5/10
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 (16%)
Faculty member (4%)
Other (2%)
Student (78%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Discouraging (4%)
Enthusiastic (84%)
Neutral (13%)
All Responses
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