How many people interviewed you?
| Response Average | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 1.92 | 12 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| Positively | 13 |
| Negatively | 0 |
| No change | 0 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 4.31 | 13 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 8.54 | 13 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 7.38 | 13 |
No responses
| 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 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| At the school | 11 |
| At a regional location | 0 |
| At another location | 1 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| One-on-one | 8 |
| In a group | 4 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| Open file | 12 |
| Closed file | 0 |
| Response Average | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 1.92 | 12 |
"Tell me about how you ended up choosing optometry?"
"What does the optometrist do during an eye exam?"
"What does an optometriest do?"
"How would you describe what an Optometrist does?"
"What are some issues in the field of optometry today?"
"What is Optometry and what does it mean to you?"
"You wrote the OAT twice. What did you do to improve so much the second time?"
"What motivated you to choose optometry?"
"Why do you want to be an Optometrist?"
"What is optometry?"
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
"What has changed over the years in optometry?"
"How did you study for the OAT?"
"What is optometry to you?"
"Why did you choose Optometry?"
"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?"
"How has the field of optometry changed within the last 25 years?"
"How has the field of optometry changed in the past 25 years?"
"What was a typical day as an undergraduate while participating in varsity athletics at the Division II level?"
"Why do you want to go into optometry?"
"They asked about a specific optometric experience listed on my resume"
"How did you study for OAT?"
"Was there one class in undergrad that you really had to adjust your study skills for?"
"What is a trait that you think all optometrists should have?"
"How has Optometry changed in the past 25 years?"
"What previous careers were you interested in before you decided on optometry?"
"What type of medications can optometrist prescribe?"
"Where do you see yourself in the future?"
"What is the difference between an Optometrist and Ophthalmologist?"
"How has the field of optometry changed in the last 25 years?"
"Tell us about how you balanced academics and extra-curriculars in undergrad"
"What do you like to do in your free time,"
"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."
"How has being an EMT strengthened your decision to be an optometrist?"
"What qualities/experience have your work and extracurricular activities given you that will help you as an optometrist?"
"What type of medications can optometrist prescribe?"
"Tell us about your time spent volunteering overseas?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary asked, why Optometry, and what was my experience in college in terms of academics and activities."
"How has Optometry improved in the last 20 years?"
"How do you think the research you've done in nanotechnology can be applied to the field of optometry?"
"There weren't any"
"There’s a couple of W’s on your transcript can you explain this"
"What are some types of medicine that optometrists administer?"
"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."
"None"
"What are the medicines used for? What are therapeautical and diagnostic pharmaceuticals used for?"
"What types of drugs are optometrists able to use to treat various conditions?"
"Nothing difficult really"
"How has Optometry improved in the last 20 years? (same as above)"
"Really none of the questions were difficult to answer."
"Looked at school website, reread my personal statement, SDN"
"Reviewed common questions ask in optometry school interview, looked at this forum."
"Read the UMSL Optometry yearly bulletin, talked with my optometrist about current events in optometry and looked through SDN feedback."
"Read SDN interview feedback, mock interviews."
"SDN and the questions from the interview powerpoint on the UMSL website"
"SDN, read about the school, practised answers to a list of potential questions"
"Mock interviews. Read UMSL's website, student doc questions. "
"Read UMSL webpage, attended workshop, and read interview questions on forums."
"Mock interviews and reviewed the website"
"UMSL's website, mock interviews"
"This site, personal essay, and browsed through some anatomy of the eye."
"The interviewers were so kind. It was a virtual interview due to COVID, but they made it very relaxed and low-stress."
"The new clinic facility and the ease at which the interview went."
"The friendliness of the staff, faculty and students. Also the new clinic."
"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."
"The friendliness and expertise of the staff"
"All facilities are in one building so you don't have to go outside to the clinic or labs on a cold day."
"The staff was extremely postive and friendly. Everyone made me feel welcomed and comfortable. "
"Small class size, faculty were very friendly, great school"
"The environment, everyone was so nice and everyone in the hallway said hello."
"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."
"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."
"The building is a little old"
"Facilites were old and run down, and the atmosphere didn't seem as professional as some of the other schools."
"The building is old and small. The technology seems to be update but the building is on the smaller side."
"Didn't get to see the clinic"
"N/A"
"Nothing"
"The facilities weren't the nicest."
"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."
"The location was a little rough but inside the college was nice."
"Nothing I can think of"
"Nothing- Everything was straight forward!"
"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."
"How many people interview in one day? --> 4"
"That the interview would be like a conversation about myself and my motivations. "
"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. "
"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."
"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."
"That it would be that easy to find so I didn't have to drive around for 45 minutes."
"UMSL seems like a great school, and the interview process went very smoothly"
"Very great interview day, nice people, easy going."
"Staff, faculty and students were extremely friendly and attentive!"
"Liked the students, faculty, and small class size. Facilities were a deal breaker."
"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"
"Everyone was really nice. I interviewed on a Friday and found out I was in on the following business day:)"
"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!"
"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! "
"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!"
"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."
"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."
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| Student | 10 |
| Faculty member | 2 |
| Admissions staff | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| Enthusiastic | 12 |
| Neutral | 0 |
| Discouraging | 0 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 6.17 | 12 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| In state | 3 |
| Out of state | 9 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 0-1 hour | 4 |
| 2-3 hours | 2 |
| 4-6 hours | 4 |
| 7+ hours | 2 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| Airplane | 1 |
| Automobile | 10 |
| Train or subway | 0 |
| Other | 1 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| < $100 | 3 |
| $101-$200 | 3 |
| $201-$300 | 2 |
| $301-$400 | 0 |
| $401-$500 | 1 |
| $501+ | 0 |
St. Louis International Airport
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| At school facility | 1 |
| With students at the school | 0 |
| Friends or family | 1 |
| Hotel | 6 |
| Home | 0 |
| Other | 1 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 7.42 | 12 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 6.46 | 13 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 7.46 | 13 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 8.67 | 9 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 10.00 | 9 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 6.22 | 9 |
We help students become doctors. TM
What is one of the specific questions they asked you (question 1)?