Class of 2016 Acceptances

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I recently submitted my OptomCAS application and I am almost done with my supplementals. So I think it is time to get this thread started for the optometry class of 2016. Let's use the following format:

Date OptomCAS was mailed:
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name):
Date Interview Scheduled:
Accepted (indicate school attending):

OAT (AA, TS)
GPA(Overall, Science)

Extracurricular:

Maybe you should also put in an Extracurricular section. It would entail any job shadowing and activities done.

Oops, I left that one out. Great Suggestion though. Thanks

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 7/15
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): SCO, UMCL, UABSO, UHCO
Date Interview Scheduled: SCO 9/9
Accepted (indicate school attending): SCO

OAT (AA, TS) 330, 340
GPA(Overall, Science) 3.46

Extracurricular: Student Teacher, Shadowing at two locations for over 100 hours.

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 8/11
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): SCO, ICO, IUSO, MCO
Date Interview Scheduled: SCO 9/12, ICO 10/3, IUSO 11/18, MCO (to be determined)
Accepted (indicate school attending): Accepted to SCO

OAT (AA, TS) 330, 340
GPA(Overall, Science) 3.79

Extracurricular:
Shadowed two different OD's. Hospital volunteer work, worked in a research lab for 3 years, running own research study in a lab, day camp counselor for kids every summer.

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 8/9/11
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): UABSO, SCO
Date Interview Scheduled: UABSO (9/12), SCO (9/23)
Accepted (indicate school attending): SCO, attending UABSO

OAT (AA, TS) 340, 340
GPA(Overall, Science) 3.88, 3.81

Extracurricular: 140 hours shadowing 3 optometrists, worked in an optometrist's glasses lab (cutting lenses, inspecting glasses, pricing frames), Circle K International Treasurer, Special Olympics volunteer, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Pre-optometry club

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 8/8/11
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): SUNY, PCO, ICO, NOVA, NECO
Date Interview Scheduled: SUNY (9/7), NECO (9/30), others will be cancelled.
Accepted (indicate school attending): SUNY

OAT (AA, TS) 350, 340
GPA(Overall, Science) 3.40, 3.17

Extracurricular: 35 hours shadowing 6 optometrists, Business manager for Red Cross, 2 research positions, one in psychology and another under an OD researcher.

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 7/26/11
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): OSU, SCO, Indiana, PCO (Salus), NOVA, Midwestern
Date Interview Scheduled: OSU (9/2/11), SCO (9/16/11), cancelled others
Accepted (indicate school attending): OSU, SCO (95% sure I am attending SCO)

OAT (AA, TS) 360, 360
GPA(Overall, Science) 3.93, 3.89

Extracurricular: 60 shadowing hours at 4 different practices, Pre-Health Professionals Club, Biology lab TA, student biology research associate, Sigma Zeta, lots of random volunteer hours, worked for optometrist

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 8/29
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): NOVA, Midwestern, UIW-RSO
Date Interview Scheduled: UIW-RSO-9/23, (canceling others) Nova-(scheduled 10/28), Midwestern-(scheduled 10/8),
Accepted (indicate school attending): UIW-RSO

OAT (AA, TS): 310, 300
GPA(Overall, Science)3.44, 3.2

Extracurricular:
Shadowing in urban and rural settings and both optometrists and ophthalmologists over 100 hours, member of Co-ed service fraternity, Health honor society, Worked part time in a sunglasses store, Pre-optometry association, helped with Special Olympics vision screenings.

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 08/10/11
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): OSU, NECO, PCO (Salus), NOVA, SCO
Date Interview Scheduled: PCO (9/15/11), OSU (9/26/11), cancelled others
Accepted (indicate school attending): PCO, OSU (Attending OSU)

OAT (AA, TS) 350, 350
GPA(Overall, Science) 3.88, 3.86

Extracurricular: A lot of various shadowing hours with three different optometrists (2 private practices, 1 commercial), Sigma Zeta, Volunteering with Remote Area Medical, Pre-Professional Club, Greenhouse Club, Worked as a Tutor, as well as various part-time jobs at different times.

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 8/05
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): SUNY, PCO
Date Interview Scheduled: SUNY (9/6), PCO (9/16)
Accepted (indicate school attending): SUNY and PCO - attending SUNY

OAT (AA, TS): 340aa, 340ts
GPA(Overall, Science): 3.8, 3.8

Extracurricular: Shadowing, psychology research trainer and supervisor, work in Psych office, President of Biology Honor Society, volunteer in Emergency Room and hospital for 50 hours, work at Sherwin Williams.

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 7/5
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): SCO, ICO, UABSO, NOVA, UMSL.
Date Interview Scheduled: SCO 9/23, UABSO 9/10, all others cancelled.
Accepted (indicate school attending): Accepted to SCO and UABSO. Attending SCO.

OAT (AA, TS) 310, 300
GPA(Overall, Science) 3.45, 3.4
Extracurricular: Shadowed a chain store optometrist and one in private practice (roughly 100 hours total). Shadowed an opthamologist for a couple of days. A few different volunteer positions.

Originally Posted by MrsPotter

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 7/5
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): SCO, ICO, UABSO, NOVA, UMSL.
Date Interview Scheduled: SCO 9/23, UABSO 9/10, all others cancelled.
Accepted (indicate school attending): Accepted to SCO and UABSO. Attending SCO.

OAT (AA, TS) 310, 300
GPA(Overall, Science) 3.45, 3.4
Extracurricular: Shadowed a chain store optometrist and one in private practice (roughly 100 hours total). Shadowed an opthamologist for a couple of days. A few different volunteer positions.

Is your name a Counting Crows reference? Anywho, Hello classmates

Originally Posted by Jonbrout

Is your name a Counting Crows reference? Anywho, Hello classmates

Why, yes it is. Good catch. That's one of the best songs they do live.

Date OptomCAS mailed: 8/25
Interview extended for: PCO, NOVA
interviews: PCO (9/28) Nova (10/5)
Accepted: PCO. Nova

OAT 340 TS 340 AA
GPA 3.1


Extracurricular: worked for 2 ODs, 1 OMD community service for vision charities, working with blind/disabled, sorority VP, yoga teacher/volunteer, research lab assistant, teaching assistant

Date OptomCAS mailed: 8/11
Interview extended for: UMSL, NECO, PCO, NOVA, ICO, Midwestern (withdrew)
interviews: PCO (9/30), UMSL (10/3), NOVA (10/13), NECO (1/6)
Accepted: PCO, UMSL, NOVA, NECO

OAT 320 TS 330 AA
GPA 3.3


Extracurricular: shadowed 2 ODs ~70 hours, President of volunteering organization, chair positions in three other clubs (pre-opt, tutoring, photography), two years of research/wrote thesis and graduated with distinction, library employee, went on medical mission, went on Alternative Spring Breaks

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 7/28
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): UABSO, SCO
Date Interview Scheduled: 9/16 UAB, 9/23 SCO
Accepted (indicate school attending): SCO 9/29

OAT (AA, TS) 310, 280 (only took one time)
GPA(Overall, Science) 3.5, 3.58

Extracurricular: worked in commercial optom 2 yrs, shadowed in private prac and an opthamologist, community service org, biology honor society, pre-professional club, dance, theater, became interested in optom in 10th grade

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 8/19/2011
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): SCO (invited 8/31)
Date Interview Scheduled: 9/16/2011
Accepted (indicate school attending): SCO (got email from them 9/22 saying that there was no doubt I had a seat, they still had to decide whether or not it was a regional seat or not; accepted officially on 9/29)

OAT (AA, TS) : 330, 320
GPA(Overall, Science) : 3.35, 3.10

Extracurricular: PEP Leader (mentor to freshmen for 4 years), Pre-professional health science club, 75 hours of shadowing (mostly private practice, did go shadow a post-op center for laser/cataract care.)

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 7/28
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): Western U, SCCO
Date Interview Scheduled: Western U 9/30, SCCO 10/1
Accepted (indicate school attending): Western U, SCCO(attending)

OAT (AA, TS): 320, 330
GPA(Overall, Science): 3.3, 3.35

Extracurricular: optometric tech, work in 2 research labs(one on neurogenesis and one on retinal detachment), volunteer at braille institute, volunteered at a hospital eye surgery center, shadowed 4 different optometrists all who work in different settings of optometry, President of Public Health Brigades, VP Pre-Optometry Club

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 7/28
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): WesternU, SCCO, PCO, OSU, Pacific
Date Interview Scheduled: SCCO 10/1, OSU 10/7 Western U 11/4 (did not schedule other interviews)
Accepted (indicate school attending): SCCO (attending) - cancelled all other interviews

OAT (AA, TS): 320, 300
GPA(Overall, Science): 3.43, 3.26

Extracurricular: shadowed 4 different optometrists in different settings, tons of work experience (normally have always held at least 2 jobs at once since entering college), co-founder and VP of campus pre-optometry club, 2.5 years of undergraduate research, including being hired to work in the summer full-time (in the process of writing paper to publish), serving other leadership roles of various clubs, TA for various chemistry classes for the last 3 years, volunteer work with AHA and Habitat for Humanity

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 8/5 (Nova, SUNY, AZCO, OSU)
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): Nova (8/31) all others cancelled
Date Interview Scheduled: Nova (9/9)
Accepted (indicate school attending): Nova (9/16)

OAT (340, 370)
GPA(3.15, 2.9)

Extracurricular: 3 years work exp. at opt practice, shadowed 3 other opt settings(commercial, private practice, surgery)

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 7/11 (SUNY, PCO, ICO, NOVA, NECO, Western)
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): PCO (8/4), ICO (8/11) , SUNY (9/26), NOVA (10/5)
Date Interview Scheduled: PCO (9/9), ICO (9/23), SUNY (10/3), cancelled all others.
Accepted (indicate school attending): PCO (9/15), SUNY (10/8), ICO (10/14)

OAT (340, 350)
GPA(3.2)

Extracurricular: Worked as a optometric technician for 9 months, shadowed around 5 different offices for ~30 hours, President of Pre-Optometry Club, Secretary for Alpha Epsilon Delta, cultural dancing for >7 years, lots of other community service and charity work.

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 9/15
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): IAUPR (9/19), SCO (9/21), NSUOCO (9/21), PCO (9/23), ICO (10/12)
Date Interview Scheduled: NSUOCO (10/5), SCO (10/14)
Accepted (indicate school attending): NSUOCO (10/11), SCO (10/17), IAUPR (11/2) - I will be attending NSUOCO. While I was extremely impressed with SCO, I just wasn't a big fan of Memphis.

OAT (AA, TS): 370, 380
GPA (Overall, Science): 3.63, 3.46

Extracurricular: About 15 hours shadowing (3 different OD's in private and group practice), member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, volunteer coach for 2 years, research assistant for one summer.

Applied : 08/2011
Interviewed: NOVA 9/15 (Westerm,SCO, New England = Canceled Interviews)
Accepted: NOVA
GPA: 3.2
OAT: 310
Extra: 4 years experience in the field, a lot of extracurriculars and leadership roles, volunteer and work hrs

*Congrats to everyone!*

Originally Posted by sjosep35

Applied : 08/2011
Interviewed: NOVA 9/15 (Westerm,SCO, New England = Canceled Interviews)
Accepted: NOVA
GPA: 3.2
OAT: 310
Extra: 4 years experience in the field, a lot of extracurriculars and leadership roles, volunteer and work hrs

*Congrats to everyone!*

Congrats! I'm strongly considering going to nova, what about the school captured you so much that you canceled all your others?

Congrats to you all on your acceptances! Would anyone be able to share some info about SCO, those that chose to attend? What did you like best about the school?

Originally Posted by optostud

Congrats to you all on your acceptances! Would anyone be able to share some info about SCO, those that chose to attend? What did you like best about the school?

In my opinion, the clinic at SCO is going to be extremely hard to top. Not only are the facilities amazing but you have a great patient population to learn from and get exposure to a variety of diseases/disorders. The admissions committee and professors I met with/interviewed with were all extremely welcoming and helpful and truly passionate about the school and optometry. The students I met were all professional and very knowledgeable and seemed to truly love the school. From my interaction, it seems as though everyone there is all about helping you succeed and is excited about the field of optometry. I've visited three other schools and SCO remained my top choice, so my decision to attend there was pretty much made as soon as I was accepted. I also received a nice scholarship so that was the icing on the cake but even if I hadn't, I'd still be going there.

Originally Posted by mkm4104

In my opinion, the clinic at SCO is going to be extremely hard to top. Not only are the facilities amazing but you have a great patient population to learn from and get exposure to a variety of diseases/disorders. The admissions committee and professors I met with/interviewed with were all extremely welcoming and helpful and truly passionate about the school and optometry. The students I met were all professional and very knowledgeable and seemed to truly love the school. From my interaction, it seems as though everyone there is all about helping you succeed and is excited about the field of optometry. I've visited three other schools and SCO remained my top choice, so my decision to attend there was pretty much made as soon as I was accepted. I also received a nice scholarship so that was the icing on the cake but even if I hadn't, I'd still be going there.

Ditto. I canceled all of my remaining interviews after receiving my acceptance. However, SCO was my top choice before I even set foot on campus. My interview day confirmed and exceeded my expectations of the school, so I knew SCO was it. The scholarship I was offered didn't hurt either!

Originally Posted by iCandy

Ditto. I canceled all of my remaining interviews after receiving my acceptance. However, SCO was my top choice before I even set foot on campus. My interview day confirmed and exceeded my expectations of the school, so I knew SCO was it. The scholarship I was offered didn't hurt either!

when/how do you know if you're offered a scholarship?

Originally Posted by janedoe88

when/how do you know if you're offered a scholarship?

I found out about a week ago, after the first meeting of the scholarship committee. It was a phone call from the VP of student affairs or something. I'm assuming they will meet periodically throughout the next few months as people are accepted. I was told on the day I interviewed when I should expect to hear about scholarships and they were right on target, so I would say whatever they tell you is when you can expect to hear if you receive one.

THANKS! Im excited.
I chose NOVA and I withdrew all my other interviews because I like living in south florida. The school is impressive, the teachers are good, the facilities and equipment are nice and new. I like that there is a clinic right there on campus and that all the preprofessional careers are placed together in the school. The library and school and very nice, which also helps

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 8/20
Date Interview Scheduled: 9/9 Nova, 9/15 PCO 9/30 NECO
Accepted (indicate school attending): Nova, PCO, NECO (attending!)
OAT 320 AA 310 TS
GPA 3.58 overall 3.68 science

Extracurricular: Phi Sigma Pi honor fraternity, shadowed, volunteering as a tech, volunteering at lighthouse international

Are you sure you want to attend NECO? There is another optometry school popping up right next to it and you can't even treat glaucoma in Massachusetts. Not to mention the fact that their tuition is crazy high. Seriously...think about it, you have good stats.

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 9/1
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): pco, neco, ico, sco
Date Interview Scheduled: pco 10/12 neco 10/21, I chose not to schedule any others
Accepted (indicate school attending): Attending Pco

OAT (AA, TS) aa 320 ts 320
GPA(Overall, Science) overall 3.73 sciene 3.56

Extracurricular:
I have been working as an optometric technician in a large group practice with both ODs and OMDs for 3 years

Why I chose pco: the facilities are absolutely amazing and state of the art. The brand new clinic is unbelievable and they see tons of patients. Also, I really liked the atmosphere there, all the students really seem close. As for neco it was a huge let down. The labs and lecture halls seem cluttered and outdated and so does the equipment. The whole atmosphere and experience was so much different at pco and the interview was wayyyyyy more laid back at pco! I honestly don't think the two schools are even comparable.



Pco class of 2016 =)

Originally Posted by Wilkesu12

Why I chose pco: the facilities are absolutely amazing and state of the art. The brand new clinic is unbelievable and they see tons of patients. Also, I really liked the atmosphere there, all the students really seem close. As for neco it was a huge let down. The labs and lecture halls seem cluttered and outdated and so does the equipment. The whole atmosphere and experience was so much different at pco and the interview was wayyyyyy more laid back at pco! I honestly don't think the two schools are even comparable.


Pco class of 2016 =)

I agree with this, PCO is an amazing looking school, everything seems like it's brand new and top of the line. Coming from an undergrad where the science department was equally as impressive, other schools that I saw with older and beat up looking facilities just didnt excite me at all. And all the people do seem great, I have been there twice so far and havent met someone that wasnt friendly.

Originally Posted by mkm4104

In my opinion, the clinic at SCO is going to be extremely hard to top. Not only are the facilities amazing but you have a great patient population to learn from and get exposure to a variety of diseases/disorders. The admissions committee and professors I met with/interviewed with were all extremely welcoming and helpful and truly passionate about the school and optometry. The students I met were all professional and very knowledgeable and seemed to truly love the school. From my interaction, it seems as though everyone there is all about helping you succeed and is excited about the field of optometry. I've visited three other schools and SCO remained my top choice, so my decision to attend there was pretty much made as soon as I was accepted. I also received a nice scholarship so that was the icing on the cake but even if I hadn't, I'd still be going there.

My thoughts exactly. I am a TN resident and was lucky enough to get an instate contract seat (there were only 5 available--which is stupid since I believe all TN students should get instate tuition, but I digress). Anywho, I was wondering what scholarships the rest of the SCO class was offered. Again, I look forward to working with you all =}

I also was fortunate enough to get a contract seat for TN. The additional scholarship was completely unexpected, but I'm grateful nonetheless.

For all of those planning on attending SCO next fall, Sunnie has created a Facebook group for us. Check it out!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/254865761222565/

GOING TO PCO???
CLASS OF 2016????

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/PCOsalus2016/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/PCOsalus2016/

Hi, I was wondering if you've interviewed at MCO yet?

Originally Posted by optogirl89

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 8/11
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): SCO, ICO, IUSO, MCO
Date Interview Scheduled: SCO 9/12, ICO 10/3, IUSO 11/18, MCO (to be determined)
Accepted (indicate school attending): Accepted to SCO

OAT (AA, TS) 330, 340
GPA(Overall, Science) 3.79

Extracurricular:
Shadowed two different OD's. Hospital volunteer work, worked in a research lab for 3 years, running own research study in a lab, day camp counselor for kids every summer.

i actually ended up canceling that interview after i got accepted to a second school. sorry i couldn't be of more help!

Hell yes! SCO facebook group. :3

Congratulations to everyone!

After reading the threads on this forum, I'm slowly starting to regret cancelling my interview with SCO. I'm very curious about the school now, especially after reading so many great things about it.

Date OptomCAS Submitted: 09/08
Interview Invitation: PCO, NOVA, ICO, SUNY, SCO, IAUPR
Date Interview Scheduled: NOVA (10/7), ICO (10/18), SUNY (10/19), PCO, SCO, and IAUPR (Cancelled)
Accepted: University of Melbourne (no interview), NOVA, ICO, SUNY (on hold)
Attending: Undecided

OAT (AA, TS): 320, 310
GPA (Overall, Science): 3.3

(My academic background is mostly accounting, hence the low stats.)

Extracurricular: chartered accounting (auditor), medical assistant (for physicians), shadowing (3 optometrists), Canadian Blood Services volunteer, tutoring, mentoring, drama club, University publications, University committee member, campus ambassador, hospital volunteer, piano accompanist, fundraising... etc.

Originally Posted by swtster

Date OptomCAS Submitted: 09/08
Interview Invitation: PCO, NOVA, ICO, SUNY, SCO, IAUPR
Date Interview Scheduled: NOVA (10/7), ICO (10/18), SUNY (10/19), PCO, SCO, and IAUPR (Cancelled)
Accepted: University of Melbourne (no interview), NOVA, ICO, SUNY (on hold)
Attending: Undecided

OAT (AA, TS): 320, 310
GPA (Overall, Science): 3.3

(My academic background is mostly accounting, hence the low stats.)

Extracurricular: chartered accounting (auditor), medical assistant (for physicians), shadowing (3 optometrists), Canadian Blood Services volunteer, tutoring, mentoring, drama club, University publications, University committee member, campus ambassador, hospital volunteer, piano accompanist, fundraising... etc.

Are you a Chartered Accountant?

Originally Posted by optom123

Are you a Chartered Accountant?

I have my hours and work experience but I opted out of the exams at the last minute, so I'm not officially designated.

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 9/15
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): UHCO, IAUPR, SCO, Midwestern, UMSL, NSUOCO
Date Interview Scheduled: UCHO (9/30), IAUPR (10/21), SCO (10/28)
Accepted (indicate school attending): UCHO, IAUPR, SCO - attending!

OAT (AA, TS) 320, 310
GPA(Overall, Science) 3.85, 3.67

Extracurricular: Shadowed 2 ODs in 3 different settings, Work as an optometric tech, Pre-opt club secretary and charter member, Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity member with over 70 hours of service, Honors research project, church involvement.

Originally Posted by Jonbrout

My thoughts exactly. I am a TN resident and was lucky enough to get an instate contract seat (there were only 5 available--which is stupid since I believe all TN students should get instate tuition, but I digress). Anywho, I was wondering what scholarships the rest of the SCO class was offered. Again, I look forward to working with you all =}

Hi Jonbrout! Look forward to being classmates! But as an AR resident who received a contract seat, I think it is an awesome thing that SCO does by providing those of us without a school in our state a place to receive in-state tuition. I think it's better to provide it to those with top stats who get their apps in early rather than just all students from one state.

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 8/25/2011 to NECO, SCO, SUNY, ICO and Nova (but I did not continue the application process for ICO or Nova)
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): NECO, SCO, SUNY
Date Interview Scheduled: all scheduled for the month of September
Accepted (indicate school attending): NECO, SCO, on hold at SUNY-- looks like I will be attending SCO unless I get a yes from SUNY, in which case I will go with SUNY. Heard back from all schools within one week of the interview.

EDIT: I will be attending SUNY (found out 12/03/2012)

Date OptomCAS Submitted: 07/18
Interview Invitation: PCO, NOVA, SUNY, SCO, OSU, UAB
Date Interview Scheduled: OSU (8/22) UAB (9/10) SCO (9/12) PCO (9/14) SUNY (10/17)
Accepted: OSU, UAB, SCO, PCO, SUNY
Attending: SCO!

OAT (AA, TS): 330, 320
GPA (Overall, Science): 3.58

Extracurricular: rugby, tour guide, senior admissions fellow, big brothers big sisters, TA, undergrad research, girl scouts, numerous community service activities, beta beta beta, my college's women's honor society, shadowed at many OD/ophthalmologist practices, worked at health center for 2 summers.

yay SCO class of 2016!

Date OptomCAS was mailed: 9/23
Interview Invitation Extended for (school name): SUNY
Date Interview Scheduled: SUNY (11/1)
Accepted (indicate school attending): SUNY (11/4)

OAT (AA, TS) 330, 340
GPA(Overall, Science) 3.76

Extracurricular: Started pre-optometry service team to Costa Rica, volunteered ophthalmologists/optometrists in eye clinic (one month-40 hrs), worked part time in optometrist office as intern/office manager (3 years+), piano accompanist (playing in gigs/shows), pianist (competitions), chemistry research (3 semesters), service director for pre-health honor society, president of pre-health honor society, founder/president of music society, tons of service, tennis assistant coach, awards

Originally Posted by swtster

Congratulations to everyone!

After reading the threads on this forum, I'm slowly starting to regret cancelling my interview with SCO. I'm very curious about the school now, especially after reading so many great things about it.

now why would you cancel an interview at one of the greatest optometry schools in the nation?