University of California Berkeley, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science Interview Feedback Summary
Berkeley, CA
Optometry Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 14% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.7
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 86 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 (56%)
No change (44%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (6%)
Good (63%)
Average (25%)
Poor (6%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly expressed positive feedback about Berkeley's optometry program, highlighting the rigorous interview process, the supportive and comfortable atmosphere during the interview day, and the school's superior clinical education. Some suggestions included shortening the length of the interview day, reducing the number of students attending at one time, and updating the equipment and facilities at the school.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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This was the best interview day experience I had
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Berkeley is an amazing program!
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Berkeley's interview was definitely the most stressful interview I had, with a group project, essay, traditional interview, and MMIs. BUT it makes it all the more glorious when you get accepted. Key is --don't be nervous/stressed! You made the first cut to the interview, now just be confident :)
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The school itself has not seen much remodeling since they first opened, so the equipment is much older. The Berkeley education is unparalleled and they are clinically superior with the almost 100% board passing rate. You start vision science courses immediately and see about 2500 patients by the time you're done. The pros outweigh the cons!
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I was very impressed with Berkeley after Interview Day. I was so nervous and stressed since it was my first interview, but everyone at the school made me feel very comfortable and relaxed. I felt that there wasn't a competitive atmosphere at Cal and that the students were very laid-back and friendly.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
38 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.3 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
67% One-on-One
33% Group Interview
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File Type:
38% Open-File
62% Closed-File
UCBSO-COMP interviews are an average of 38 minutes, with an average of 2.3 interviews. 67% of interviews are one-on-one, and 62% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about defining experiences in the field, motivations for pursuing optometry, dealing with stress, volunteer experiences, future goals, reasons for choosing a specific school, and personal qualities that align with the institution's values. These questions suggest a focus on the applicant's background, aspirations, and fit for the optometry program.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why optometry?
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What is a defining experience you had in optometry?
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What is my motivation to fitting into the student population
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How do you deal with stress? Name a stressful situation you encountered and how you overcame it
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What were your volunteer experiences in undergrad? Did they seem to make a difference?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at University of California Berkeley, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science discussed a wide range of topics including ethical scenarios, personal hobbies, the use of technology in optometry, and the ethics of patient relationships. Additionally, there were references to a scenario involving a family member's medical decision, and some responses indicated the interview may have been in an MMI format with nondisclosure implications.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The behavioral question
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What do you do for fun?
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What TV show I watched
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In your opinion, is it ever acceptable to get into a romantic relationship with a patient?
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You're a first-year optometry student. Your grandfather has been diagnosed with a disease that will kill him in 5 years. There's a procedure that can be done to cure him, but there is a 10% mortality rate. He wants to do it, but mom does not want him to. What would you do?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by utilizing resources such as the Student Doctor Network (SDN), reviewing their application essays, and practicing interview questions out loud. They also sought advice from current students and professionals in the field to gain insights and confidence for the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Looked through SDN
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Took questions from SDN and answered them on a word doc Looked over my essays
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Looking at SDN questions and coming up with answers typed up in a google doc
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Student doctor network, re-reading my optomcas personal statement + experiences, talking to my optometrist about the future of optometry, BREATHING and making sure I was confident and not nervous
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SDN, reading sample MMI questions
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at University of California Berkeley, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science discussed various topics including behavioral questions, describing what sets Berkeley apart, differentiating optometry from other healthcare fields under time constraints in an MMI format where interviewers did not interact, discussing personal failures, long-term goals, and tackling challenging essay prompts such as changing the presidential election process or banning hate speech. Some responses indicated the interview was mainly conversational, while others highlighted the intensity of the MMI format, where respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The behavioral question
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What sets Berkeley apart from other schools?
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N/A
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Name how optometry is different from other healthcare fields. (I was only given three minutes to answer this question during the MMI portion, and the interviewers didn't interact with me at all..)
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They asked a lot about my ESSAY. Know yours well!
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the organization of the interview day, the friendliness and enthusiasm of students, faculty, and staff, the campus environment, and the overall positive attitudes and energy displayed throughout the day. Suggestions for improvement included providing more information about the program and facilities, and ensuring a balance of activities and interactions for all interviewees.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The organization of the whole day The friendliness of everyone there
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The introductory presentation given by the dean, the organization of the entire day, and the mock class given
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I was surprised at how organized the day was. 115 students, 4 color groupss, 4 subgroups within the colors, all who had different schedules.. it was all very crazy but the timing worked very well. The campus is also very pretty: other grad school campuses are nearby, berkeley has alot of good restaurants, and SF is really fun too!
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The school shut down to give us interview day. There were plenty of student volunteers and faculty that wanted to partake in the experience.
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Students really seem to like the program, the campus is beautiful.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about unresponsive or stern interviewers, cramped spaces with many participants, long and tiring interview days, and outdated facilities. Suggestions were made to improve interviewer engagement, provide more comfortable spaces, and streamline the interview process for a better overall experience.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I felt as if my interviewers were not as responsive, causing me to freeze from time to time
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MMI interviewers were stone-faced
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Buildings were slightly old, but not too big of a deal
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How they crammed so many students into one small room during the intro and conclusion of the day. I was definitely stressed seeing all the competition right next to me, knowing that 50 of us in that room weren't going to get accepted 0__0.
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The one set of interviewers from the MMI had a really stern, upset look on their face. It was the only interview portion that made me nervous and stutter. The other MMI interviewers were far more welcoming with positive body language to make me feel comfortable.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Most applicants expressed they wished they had known how to prepare for MMIs, the semi-open/closed file interview format, and the importance of comfortable attire. They also highlighted the need for more snacks, the low-key nature of the conversations, and the potential awkwardness of the initial MMI experience.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Just advertise yourself
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The essay question is really not that deep
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MMIs are not as stressful as I thought
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How to prepare for an MMI. I've never interacted with anyone like that before, where you're given a max of 4 minutes to answer a question and the interviewer doesn't interact and just blinks at you until you're done talking. I felt like I was rambling in a monologue
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How awkward the first MMI would be. You have 3 minutes to read a prompt in front of a door. You open the door, sit, and have 4 minutes to answer. You leave when you are done answering even if 4 mins isn't up yet.
🤝 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 praised the admissions office for their organization and performance during the interview process, with a suggestion to consider using a larger space to accommodate a large number of applicants and reduce stress levels.
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Nothing really. Did a great job.
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N/A, great job donw
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Maybe use a bigger room for interview day? Cramming 115 applicants and 30+ current students/faculty was probably a fire hazard, and also added to the stress level of the interview.
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Nothing. For such a large interview group, the interview day was conducted with as most organization as possible.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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OAK
29% interviewees used OAK (OAK), with 29% using Oakland (Oakland) and 29% using SFO (SFO) and 14% using none. I walked. (none. I walked.).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by airplane to the interview.
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50% Airplane
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29% Automobile
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7% Train or Subway
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14% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Faculty Club (average ranking 8/10), with some staying at Holiday Inn Express (average rating 7/10). (Top 2 displayed)
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Faculty Club
8/10
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Holiday Inn Express
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 in state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Friends or family or with friends or family.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Faculty member (7%)
Student (93%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (100%)
All Responses
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