Birmingham, AL
Optometry Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 17% 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
8.2
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 84 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 (87%)
Negatively (7%)
No change (7%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (81%)
Good (6%)
Average (13%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally had positive experiences during their interviews at UAB, noting the friendly and welcoming atmosphere, the low-stress nature of the interviews, and the school's impressive facilities and faculty. Some mentioned the commute to campus and expressed a desire for more information about the city of Birmingham.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I really enjoyed my time at UAB! The interview event was enjoyable and low-stress (once you got there), and the faculty and students were so genuine and nice.
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It was an open file interview (one on one) and a closed file interview (2 members). Everyone was extremely nice and understanding about being nervous
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Such an incredible school, amazing facilities, incredible faculty, top notch all around. It is one of the top “research” schools, but it doesn’t seem like they pressure you to do research at all.
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UAB was fantastic! Everyone was very friendly.
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There was an open file interview as well as a closed file interview. Both were very relaxed.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
39 Minutes Average
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Number:
3.2 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
60% One-on-One
40% Group Interview
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File Type:
53% Open-File
47% 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
UABSO-COMP interviews are an average of 39 minutes, with an average of 3.2 interviews. 60% of interviews are one-on-one, 50% are in-person, and 47% 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 inquiries about the candidate's background, motivation for choosing the specific school, academic performance, involvement in extracurricular activities, and personal experiences related to the field. Some respondents mentioned a format resembling MMI, which may have involved a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Tell me about yourself/your introduction to optometry
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Why UAB?
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Why optometry?
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Tell me about yourself starting from where you grew up to high school to college.
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Were you active in any sports or clubs in high school?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Optometry discussed a range of topics including exploring shadowing experiences, reasons for pursuing optometry, personal interests, and family background. The interview format may have been an MMI based on responses indicating a conversational approach with no specific questions, and some respondents suggesting basic questions were asked, potentially due to a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I didn't really have many questions, it was really just a conversation.
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I was asked if I had considered going into pharmacy, and why i did not see that as a fit for myself
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What have you seen through your shadowing hours? (glaucoma, cataracts, contact lenses, etc.)
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It was all basic.
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How's your shadowing experience?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for interviews by using resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN), practicing common interview questions, researching the school's values and mission statement, and engaging in mock interviews with peers or university committees. It was important to familiarize oneself with interview questions, the school's background, and to practice responses to showcase readiness and enthusiasm.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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SDN questions, flashcards, researched the school
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SDN questions
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I reviewed the website to learn about values and read their mission statement
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SDN and writing out answers to common interview questions.
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Researched practice questions and scheduled a mock interview the pre-professional committee at my University.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Optometry discussed a range of topics from naming shadowed optometrists to reasons for pursuing optometry beyond initial motivations. The interview format may have been an MMI with potential nondisclosure agreements, as some responses mentioned a conversational flow without particularly challenging questions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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N/A
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Asking me to name the optometrists I have shadowed in the past
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Tell me about yourself including high school.
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Nothing really.
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What else make you want to be an optometrist besides the reason you told us? I kind of run out of ideas , make sure you prepare a lot of reasons
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the warmth and friendliness of the staff, faculty, and students at the school, creating a welcoming and family-like atmosphere. They also highlighted the quality of facilities, research opportunities, and the genuine care for student success. Some suggestions include maintaining the current positive atmosphere and ensuring that the facilities continue to support student learning and growth.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Everyone was super friendly and welcoming, you are with a student or faculty member from the second you park your car until you leave! Students of various ages helping with the tour, lots of opportunities to ask questions!
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The staff and interviewers are so kind. Genuinely super nice people! They made the interview day very low stress.
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I was extremely impressed by how kind everyone was, and I was impressed by how they really did feel like a family there
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The facilities, family atmosphere, research opportunities.
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How much they care about their students success.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions related to the lack of a welcoming environment for visitors without a guest, the unattractive location of the school in downtown Birmingham, and the feeling that students did not enjoy being there. Suggestions included improving the campus atmosphere for solo visitors and addressing concerns about the school's location.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Not the school's fault, but it was a little awkward coming without a guest (parent, s/o, etc). There are some waiting periods where it would be nice to have someone to talk to, but I just reviewed my notes/looked through handouts instead!
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Nothing!
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Nothing.
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Nothing really.
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That none of the students seemed to enjoy being there
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the dress code and schedule, as well as the laid-back and conversational nature of the interview process. Suggestions included being less stressed, bringing comfortable shoes, and understanding the format of the one-on-one and panel interviews.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The dress code (most applicants were "elevated" business casual) and the schedule
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Try to not be so stressed.
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I wish i had known how kind and easy going they would have been, just to help with the nerves of going into the interview.
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It was way more casual than I was expecting.
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That you have an open file section that is one-on-one, Then you have a closed file section that involves two people asking you questions. Also, my interview was on Zoom because of the pandemic.
🤝 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 providing a more detailed schedule for interviews, improving online accessibility of dual degree program information, offering better hospitality for guests, extending the decision timeline, and ensuring timely communication of interview details.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I think including the schedule in the email inviting the applicant to their interview would help, even if it hasn't been finalized, just so they know what to expect. Otherwise it was great!
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The dual degree program information could be more accessible online.
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Nothing really.
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Allow guests to stay for lunch. Also, make sure the tour guide is not saying negative things about the school.
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Provide a better lunch and allow guests to partake
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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Birmingham and Atlanta (heading out)
100% interviewees used Birmingham and Atlanta (heading out) (Birmingham and Atlanta (heading out)).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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8% Airplane
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92% Automobile
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0% Train or Subway
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0% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Doubletree (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at Pickwick Hotel (average rating 8/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Doubletree
10/10
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Pickwick Hotel
8/10
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Best Western
8/10
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 (8%)
Student (92%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (85%)
Neutral (15%)
All Responses
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