University of Houston College Of Optometry
Houston, TX
Optometry Schools | Public Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 7% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a moderate stress level, and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most respondents rank this school above other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools for optometry programs include inquiries about the applicant's journey to optometry, study habits, interest in eye care, differences between optometry and ophthalmology, and preferences for practice settings. Some respondents mentioned questions in an MMI format, indicating a structured interview approach, and some responses alluded to a nondisclosure agreement regarding specific questions asked.
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Journey to optometry?
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What are your hobbies
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Tell me about yourself (why optometry included)
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why uhco
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What was your most challenging course in undergrad, and how did you overcome it?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Houston College Of Optometry discussed various topics including where else they applied, time management skills, hypothetical scenarios, favorite books, food, TV shows, and opinions on political situations. Some respondents mentioned an MMI question with a nondisclosure agreement possibly in place, indicating a structured interview format with specific confidentiality requirements.
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Where else did you apply?
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The MMI question came out of nowhere lol
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What have you been doing since you've graduated? (I took a year off)
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They asked me about my time management/organizational skills.
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A "no right answer" hypothetical scenario.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Houston College Of Optometry discussed various topics such as teaching something in 5 minutes, explaining GPA fluctuations, differentiating between optometrists and ophthalmologists, discussing current events, and comparing public vs. private schools. Some responses mentioned an MMI format and potential nondisclosure agreements, suggesting a structured interview process with confidentiality requirements.
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Teach me something in 5 minutes
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Why was your gpa lower than your oat
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What was your most challenging course in undergrad, and how did you overcome it?
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Since it was open file, explaining why my GPA rollercoastered up and down caught me a little off-guard.
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"Teach me something non-medical in 5 minutes or less."
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 2 people.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had a closed file interview.
Was this interview in-person or virtual?
Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
📍 On-Site Experience ▼
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Faculty member
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents rank the facilities as below average.
What were your total hours spent traveling?
Most respondents spent 4-6 hours traveling to the interview.
What was your primary mode of travel?
Most respondents traveled by automobile to the interview.
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
Most respondents spent between $101 and $200.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
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N/A
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IAH
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Hobby
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HOU
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Bush International
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
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The Double Tree (near the IAH airport)
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Omni Hotel
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Hilton on UH campus
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
Would you recommend the hotel?
Most respondents would recommend their hotel.
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
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.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by utilizing resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN) for basic interview questions, practicing common interview questions found online, researching the school and profession, and conducting mock interviews with sample questions. They also sought feedback from friends, advisors, and previous applicants, as well as familiarized themselves with the program and school by gathering as much information as possible.
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SDN, basic interview questions
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SDN interview bank, other friends' feedback of the interview
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looked up common interview questions, reviewed my application
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I practiced common questions I found online
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Typed up answers to mock interview questions.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the modern facilities, friendly staff and faculty, and the positive atmosphere at the University of Houston College of Optometry. Many highlighted the advanced technology, opportunities for hands-on experience, and the welcoming environment created by both faculty and students.
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Online interview - UHCO seems really up to date with technology, lasers/surgery and seems to offer many opportunities.
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The facility, the atmosphere, the students
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Progressive school, facilities are new and modern.
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Facilities, friendliness of staff & faculty.
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Staff, Facilities, Clinic, pretty much everything!
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the limited opportunities for out-of-state students at UHCO due to the majority of externship sites being in Texas. Additionally, some applicants felt unwelcome during their interviews, with reports of rude behavior from interviewers. Suggestions included improving interviewer training and providing more information about opportunities for out-of-state students.
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UHCO may not be an ideal school for out-of-state students if they are wanting to practice outside Texas - it seems most of UHCO's externship sites are in Texas. My interview didn't seem to be the best because one of my interviewers came off as rude, rubbing her eyes for 1 minute, looking around, etc. I felt as if I was not being paid attention to and boring, did not feel welcome (first interview I felt like this).
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One of my interviewers was somewhat hostile, the other 2 were friendly
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Nothing
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Nothing - great experience!
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none
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Many applicants wished they had known the duration of the school tour, the timing of acceptance notifications after interviews, and the importance of leaving early due to traffic. Additionally, some mentioned wanting more information on directions to the school and reminders to bring necessary items like belts.
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Nothing
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How long the tour of the school was going to last.
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the tour is kind of long.
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That you know if you are accepted usually right after the interview!
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The traffic is crazy! LEAVE EARLY to make sure you're on time. When I showed up a 20 minutes early, there were already other applicants there waiting.
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview process at UHCO to be stress-free, welcoming, and encouraging. They appreciated the friendly environment, the ease of the interview, and the opportunity to be themselves during the process.
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Impressed by the facility, and the staff seemed very welcoming! Was a completely stress-free interview - it more was of a conversation than anything else.
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Relax. If accepted you will typically get a phone call that evening.
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Handed me the acceptance letter at the end of the interview!
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Make sure you know who your interviewer is in terms of their role at the school and what they like to be involved in.
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be yourself.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants overwhelmingly expressed satisfaction with the admissions office and had no specific suggestions for improvement, indicating a positive experience overall.
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Nothing - I thoroughly enjoyed my interview day.
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They're doing a great job!
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