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  • University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry
  • Optometry School
  • St. Louis, MO
Individual Feedback 1 13 Responses
Overall Experience

How did the interview impress you?

Response # Responders
Positively 13
Negatively 0
No change 0

What was the stress level of the interview?

Response Avg # Responders
4.31 13

0 = low, 10 = high

How you think you did?

Response Avg # Responders
8.54 13

0 = low, 10 = high

How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?

Response Avg # Responders
7.38 13

0 = low, 10 = high

Was this interview in-person or virtual?

No responses

Questions

How long was the interview?

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

Where did the interview take place?

Response # Responders
At the school 11
At a regional location 0
At another location 1

What was the style of the interview?

Response # Responders
One-on-one 8
In a group 4

What type of interview was it?

Response # Responders
Open file 12
Closed file 0

How many people interviewed you?

Response Average # Responders
1.92 12

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

"Tell me about how you ended up choosing optometry?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What does the optometrist do during an eye exam?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What does an optometriest do?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How would you describe what an Optometrist does?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What are some issues in the field of optometry today?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What is Optometry and what does it mean to you?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"You wrote the OAT twice. What did you do to improve so much the second time?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

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

"Why do you want to be an Optometrist?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

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

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

"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What has changed over the years in optometry?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How did you study for the OAT?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

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

"Why did you choose Optometry?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Your first semester of undergrad was not that good, but your last years you did very well. What did you do to improve your grades?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How has the field of optometry changed within the last 25 years?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How has the field of optometry changed in the past 25 years?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What was a typical day as an undergraduate while participating in varsity athletics at the Division II level?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Why do you want to go into optometry?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

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

"They asked about a specific optometric experience listed on my resume" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How did you study for OAT?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Was there one class in undergrad that you really had to adjust your study skills for?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What is a trait that you think all optometrists should have?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How has Optometry changed in the past 25 years?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What previous careers were you interested in before you decided on optometry?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What type of medications can optometrist prescribe?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Where do you see yourself in the future?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What is the difference between an Optometrist and Ophthalmologist?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How has the field of optometry changed in the last 25 years?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

What was the most interesting question?

"Tell us about how you balanced academics and extra-curriculars in undergrad" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What do you like to do in your free time," More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"They asked me about my science classes, and how my grades were usually lower in them compared to other types of classes, & how am I going to study in order to make it through science classes in optometry school." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How has being an EMT strengthened your decision to be an optometrist?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What qualities/experience have your work and extracurricular activities given you that will help you as an optometrist?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What type of medications can optometrist prescribe?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Tell us about your time spent volunteering overseas?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Nothing out of the ordinary asked, why Optometry, and what was my experience in college in terms of academics and activities." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How has Optometry improved in the last 20 years?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How do you think the research you've done in nanotechnology can be applied to the field of optometry?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

What was the most difficult question?

"There weren't any" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"There’s a couple of W’s on your transcript can you explain this" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What are some types of medicine that optometrists administer?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"None really. It was more like a conversation than an interview and it moved pretty quickly. The staff was really encouraging and settling throughout the whole process." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"None" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What are the medicines used for? What are therapeautical and diagnostic pharmaceuticals used for?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"What types of drugs are optometrists able to use to treat various conditions?" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Nothing difficult really" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"How has Optometry improved in the last 20 years? (same as above)" More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

"Really none of the questions were difficult to answer." More from this Member | Report Response | I was asked this question too

How did you prepare for the interview?

"Looked at school website, reread my personal statement, SDN" More from this Member | Report Response

"Reviewed common questions ask in optometry school interview, looked at this forum." More from this Member | Report Response

"Read the UMSL Optometry yearly bulletin, talked with my optometrist about current events in optometry and looked through SDN feedback." More from this Member | Report Response

"Read SDN interview feedback, mock interviews." More from this Member | Report Response

"SDN and the questions from the interview powerpoint on the UMSL website" More from this Member | Report Response

"SDN, read about the school, practised answers to a list of potential questions" More from this Member | Report Response

"Mock interviews. Read UMSL's website, student doc questions. " More from this Member | Report Response

"Read UMSL webpage, attended workshop, and read interview questions on forums." More from this Member | Report Response

"Mock interviews and reviewed the website" More from this Member | Report Response

"UMSL's website, mock interviews" More from this Member | Report Response

"This site, personal essay, and browsed through some anatomy of the eye." More from this Member | Report Response

What impressed you positively?

"The interviewers were so kind. It was a virtual interview due to COVID, but they made it very relaxed and low-stress." More from this Member | Report Response

"The new clinic facility and the ease at which the interview went." More from this Member | Report Response

"The friendliness of the staff, faculty and students. Also the new clinic." More from this Member | Report Response

"The faculty! Loved how personable the doctors were. I walked in the office to get a parking pass and one of the doctors (Dr. Bennett) knew me by name already without any introduction." More from this Member | Report Response

"The friendliness and expertise of the staff" More from this Member | Report Response

"All facilities are in one building so you don't have to go outside to the clinic or labs on a cold day." More from this Member | Report Response

"The staff was extremely postive and friendly. Everyone made me feel welcomed and comfortable. " More from this Member | Report Response

"Small class size, faculty were very friendly, great school" More from this Member | Report Response

"The environment, everyone was so nice and everyone in the hallway said hello." More from this Member | Report Response

"The faculty and third year tour guide were all very enthusiastic and easy-going. I was pretty stressed when I first showed up for my interview but once I met the faculty, they were all very helpful and kind." More from this Member | Report Response

"The faculty were very outgoing I actually met with my interviewer before the interview and he told everyone being interviewed just to relax because it would be a laid back day." More from this Member | Report Response

What impressed you negatively?

"The building is a little old" More from this Member | Report Response

"Facilites were old and run down, and the atmosphere didn't seem as professional as some of the other schools." More from this Member | Report Response

"The building is old and small. The technology seems to be update but the building is on the smaller side." More from this Member | Report Response

"Didn't get to see the clinic" More from this Member | Report Response

"N/A" More from this Member | Report Response

"Nothing" More from this Member | Report Response

"The facilities weren't the nicest." More from this Member | Report Response

"The facilities aren't as up-to-date as other Optometry schools. However, they are planning on building a new facility in the next 4-5 years." More from this Member | Report Response

"The location was a little rough but inside the college was nice." More from this Member | Report Response

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

"Nothing I can think of" More from this Member | Report Response

"Nothing- Everything was straight forward!" More from this Member | Report Response

"Nothing really surprised me. Just make sure you do some research on the type of questions you could be asked so you're not caught off guard." More from this Member | Report Response

"How many people interview in one day? --> 4" More from this Member | Report Response

"That the interview would be like a conversation about myself and my motivations. " More from this Member | Report Response

"Most likely you will be interviewing with Dr. Bennett. Also, there has to be at least 2 people that votes you into the program. Because of the holidays, I only interviewed with one and had to wait until the admissions committee met. " More from this Member | Report Response

"The school of optometry is not on the main floor, you have to go up a few floors in order to find them. I was lost until I asked someone." More from this Member | Report Response

"The names of the interviewers so I would be familiar with their work. Which, for me were Dr. Edward Bennett and Dr. Alex Harris. Dr. Bennett is well-known for gas permeable contact lenses and has written nationally renowned books." More from this Member | Report Response

"That it would be that easy to find so I didn't have to drive around for 45 minutes." More from this Member | Report Response

What are your general comments?

"UMSL seems like a great school, and the interview process went very smoothly" More from this Member | Report Response

"Very great interview day, nice people, easy going." More from this Member | Report Response

"Staff, faculty and students were extremely friendly and attentive!" More from this Member | Report Response

"Liked the students, faculty, and small class size. Facilities were a deal breaker." More from this Member | Report Response

"Great staff but the building and facilities are behind the curve. Didn't get to see much of the clinic. Housing locations are 20-30 minutes away from the school" More from this Member | Report Response

"Everyone was really nice. I interviewed on a Friday and found out I was in on the following business day:)" More from this Member | Report Response

"I found out I was accepted to the program about a week later! (c/o 2013!)There were many things that impressed me about the program. Go for an interview and continually call and check on your application status! Good luck!" More from this Member | Report Response

"The day was very laid back. Every applicant meets with an advisor to review your file, then she presents everyone with a presentation about the school/program. She will answer all your questions, and even gives you answers to interview questions! After lunch and a tour with currents students, they call you in for your one-on-one (or two) interview. They did not ask any question that was too difficult. It is more of a conversation in which they want to get to know you and you them. The interview lasted about 25 minutes. They emailed me late that same night and said I was accepted! Good luck to all! " More from this Member | Report Response

"Overall, a great experience with friendly people and a great environment! I was a little intimidated at first, but it turned out to be very laid back. Just be yourself!" More from this Member | Report Response

"Overall I had a very positive experience. They were very helpful and made you feel at home. They made it clear that they were interviewing me for a reason and thought I would be an asset to their institution. The thing I found most interesting was that they had a powerpoint presentation prior to the interview that outlined what questions would be asked in the interview so you knew what to expect." More from this Member | Report Response

"The interview was an awesome experience the faculty were so nice and they I feel solidified my choice to attend their college. The interview was more like a conversation and that is something that really impressed me. One of the interviewers was big on research and since that was prominent in my application it was a joy to talk to him about the research I've done and the possible applications. Overall, I feel that the interview was very low stress and it helped me in my decision as to where I would be attending in the fall." More from this Member | Report Response

Tour and Travel

Who was the tour given by?

Response # Responders
Student 10
Faculty member 2
Admissions staff 0
Other 0

How did the tourguide seem?

Response # Responders
Enthusiastic 12
Neutral 0
Discouraging 0

How do you rank the facilities?

Response Avg # Responders
6.17 12

0 = low, 10 = high

What is your in-state status?

Response # Responders
In state 3
Out of state 9

What was your total time spent traveling?

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

What was your primary mode of travel?

Response # Responders
Airplane 1
Automobile 10
Train or subway 0
Other 1

What airport did you use?

St. Louis International Airport

Where did you stay?

Response # Responders
At school facility 1
With students at the school 0
Friends or family 1
Hotel 6
Home 0
Other 1

What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?

Would you recommend the hotel?

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

Response # Responders
< $100 3
$101-$200 3
$201-$300 2
$301-$400 0
$401-$500 1
$501+ 0

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
7.42 12

0 = low, 10 = high

What is your ranking of this school's location?

Response Avg # Responders
6.46 13

0 = low, 10 = high

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

Response Avg # Responders
7.46 13

0 = low, 10 = high

How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?

Response Avg # Responders
8.67 9

0 = low, 10 = high

How is the friendliness of the admissions office?

Response Avg # Responders
10.00 9

0 = low, 10 = high

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

Response Avg # Responders
6.22 9

0 = low, 10 = high

What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

"Their information meeting was a tad long. They basically spent 2-3 hours reading to us information about the city, housing, finances, and the program that they already printed out for us." More from this Member | Report Response

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