Waterloo Optometry 2013 Cycle

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Xraychump

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Well folks.... let the paranoia begin.

Waterloo 2013 applicants! Calling you guys out and hopefully we can get the same kind of community that there was before in the 2012 / 2011 cycle.

03/11/12
QUEST ACCEPTANCE OFFERS HAVE BEEN RELEASED!
BEST OF LUCK!

CLICK HERE FOR ---> QUEST

MrTea said:
Hey guys!
....@8:15am 03/11/12
I don't know if anyone else is up at the moment!
BUT I've just checked Quest and accepted my offer!
They've just released offers this morning at 8!

Cheers! :D
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Update 03/01/13:
Good luck to everyone this week! We should be hearing results very soon.

Out of courtesy, if you are deciding to decline your offer, please post on the forum so it may give those on the waiting list an opportunity to see how the list is moving.
According to previous years, if you are on the waiting list you are informed of which position you are in line for acceptance. Thank you and good luck!

cbapatte said:
I believe 20 people got waitlisted in our year. They went through the whole list plus an additional two people. The previous year only went through about 10 people on their list.

..class (2016) received news on Quest early afternoon on Thursday, March 8th (2012). Only accepted people found out at this point. The next morning (Friday, March 9th 2012), the official e-mails were sent out and people who were wait-listed were notified and were given their position on the wait-list.
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Update:
Approximately 200 Interviews issued
90 seats for academic year
~ roughly 45% chance weighing all things equal

In the interview presentation they said admission notices will be mailed out late March.
However based on the previous years thread we can find out early March via Quest and creating an account.

merciless3 said:
They said we would learn about the decision in early march and the mails would arrive in late march
Click to expand...

monique14 said:
... yea you can make a QUEST account. You should have received a Waterloo ID when you applied and then you have to create your QUEST account using this website: ....
Click to expand...

First notices of acceptance from past threads in forum:
2012 cycle - 03-08-2012, 04:34 PM - Second Thursday
2011 cycle - 03-04-2011, 09:18 AM - First Friday

October 11th 2012 - first notification on forums about interview selection
arktl134 said:
Wow looks like I spoke too soon. I just received my invitation for an interview about a minute ago. And so it begins.....
Click to expand...

Interview dates - 3 Sessions
November 24th - 9 am / 1pm - External Waterloo Applicants
November 25th - 10 am - Internal Waterloo Applicants
November 27 - Edmonton
November 29 - Fredericton


If you have received an interview please describe:
Current Education level : (3rd yr, 4th year, PhD, Masters, working?)
OAT score : (TS / AA)
GPA: ( out of 4.0 )
Optometry Experience: (volunteer length and with how many optometrists)
EC: volunteering , awards,
Date you submitted app to Waterloo:
Date you have your interview: November ??


Other references:
Optometry Cycle 2012 Thread
Optometry Cycle 2011 Thread
Members don't see this ad.
 
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Hi!

I just sent in my application today by courier and it should be arriving at noon tomorrow as well! Are you applying as an Ontario student?


I wonder where all the applicants are this year...
 
Nice - Mine was received today , they also sent me a e-mail reminding me the deadline is approaching last night. Did you get one as well?
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Yes, I got that e-mail yesterday too! Anyhow the courier tracking system says it was received but it said at 263 Phillip St. :S apparently its also part of waterloo campus but I'm not so sure if it's the correct building. When I sent it it was labeled School of Optometry and Vision Science etc with the postal code but no actual address. Hopefully the applicatiom found its way though. I'm still waiting to see if admissions got it.
 
Hi everyone,
Nice to meet you all :) I also received a reminder email yesterday about the upcoming deadline. I'm sure at this point that it was a mass email sent to all applicants since I've already verified that my application was received over a week ago.
Has anyone received an offer for the interview yet? They told me in my verification email that interview selections will be finished in early November so I guess for now, it's just the waiting game.
Xraychump: Also, I am quite sure that waterloo doesn't do rolling admissions. All interviews are conducted around the end of November and anyone who doesn't receive one by then has not made it to the next step in the process.
 
Wow looks like I spoke too soon. I just received my invitation for an interview about a minute ago. And so it begins.....
 
Hi guys! I am a first year in Waterloo's OD program. If you have any questions, I'm here to help!
 
arktl134 said:
Wow looks like I spoke too soon. I just received my invitation for an interview about a minute ago. And so it begins.....
Click to expand...

Oh man congratulations! So exciting!!! I'm so nervous.... o_O
 
arktl134 said:
Wow looks like I spoke too soon. I just received my invitation for an interview about a minute ago. And so it begins.....
Click to expand...

Also in my original post - I was not talking about rolling admissions. I had wrote rolling interview selection. Its before the October 17th deadline and they have already started giving out interviews. Waterloo does NOT give out rolling admissions unlike the US. That being clarified - congrats on your interview! do you think you could answer some of these questions for the forum community?

When did you submit your application?

Also what were your STATS?
 
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Hi again,
Sorry I must have misunderstood your post the first time!! Thanks for clarifying :)
Well this is actually my second time applying for waterloo optometry. I applied as a third year student last year and got rejected after the interview. I'm super nervous this year since I'll be graduating and I don't think I can handle another rejection from them lol.
I submitted my application at the beginning of October this year and got their reply yesterday. As for my stats, I have just below a 3.8 gpa and got 350 overall on the OAT.
I've also been working as an optometry assistant for over 2 years now and I've done a bit of job shadowing at the clinic I work at.
Hope this helps!! Let me know if I can answer anything else.
 
And also, thanks everyone! I'm so grateful that everyone is so kind here.
My interview is on Nov 24th at 1:00 pm. Let me know if you guys get the same time :)
 
I just got an interview!!

My stats:
Current Education level : BScH - Graduated 2009, working for 3 years. Manage two x-ray depts.
OAT score : 360/360
GPA: 3.35 - Terrible GPA however have had extensive continuing education.
Optometry Experience: Have shadowed an Optometrist for about a year.
EC: Sail/ perform piano/ a number of activities fundraiser for the hospital I work at.
Date you submitted app to Waterloo: They received my application October 12th
Date you have your interview: November 24th 1:00pm

arktl134 - will see you there that day! Good luck. Let me know if you want to meet up and practice for the MI.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Eyeguy7 said:
Hi guys! I am a first year in Waterloo's OD program. If you have any questions, I'm here to help!
Click to expand...

Hey Eyeguy7

Do you think you could elaborate on your experience with the interview process MI ?

Thanks
 
Hi guys, I got an interview today on November 24 also :)!
 
Xraychump said:
1sight do you think you could please post your stats for the community please.
Click to expand...

Current Education level : 4th year undergrad
OAT score : (310TS/300AA)
GPA: 8.7/10
Optometry Experience: Shadowed two optometrists (chain and private) and worked at LensCrafters for over a year now.
EC: Some volunteering but not extensive, fundraising for heart and stroke foundation and OneSight foundation, intramural basketball
Date you submitted app to Waterloo: They received it October 12 I believe.
Date you have your interview: November 24 at 1 PM.
 
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congratulations everyone! I will be seeing you guys on Nov. 24 as well :)

my stats:
Current Education level : graduated, taking some extra courses though + mainly working as an optometric assistant
OAT score : 340/340
GPA: ~3.6
Optometry Experience: worked at a private optometry clinic + job shadowed this summer
EC: works at a lab/volunteered in an ophthalmology post-operation ward
Date you submitted app to Waterloo: receivedoctober 16 (ya... almost had a heart attack)
Date you have your interview: 24th of November at 1:00 pm

practice MMI skype session anyone??
 
styfles - Congrats! pm with your skype name!

Does anyone know how much the weight the interview? It seems like there are so far a wide range of qualifications for the applicant pool.
 
Hi everyone,
I got an interview yesterday! One of my friend who is re-applying this year told me that Waterloo is splitting the interview into two days for those who are first-time applicants and for those who are re-applying. Does anyone know anything about that? My interview is on Sunday and I am a first time applicant. Please also indicate (if you don't mind) whether or not you are a first time applicant! Thank you!

My stats:
Current Education level : 4th year Biotechnology/Chartered Accountancy (Co-op) undergrad student at the University of Waterloo.
OAT score : 360 (TS)/370 (AA)
GPA: ~3.6 not too sure... (Waterloo goes by %)
Optometry Experience: Volunteered/shadowed my optometrist for 4 months. Currently working part-time at Waterloo's School of Optometry/Optometry Clinic.
EC: Piano/skating/skiing/tennis/badminton/modelling/leadership roles/DECA etc.
Date you submitted app to Waterloo: I personally handed it in on October 15th
Date you have your interview: November 25th 10:00am
 
I received my interview yesterday and it is on Nov. 24, 2012 (Saturday). I am a first time applicant so I don't think they are splitting it up that way.

Also, if there is a second time applicant or a current Waterloo optometry student on this forum, do you mind sharing your interview experience? Thanks.

My stats:
Current Education level : 4th year Honours Biology at McMaster University
OAT score : 370 (TS)/360 (AA)
GPA: ~3.5
Optometry Experience: Shadowed 2 optometrists
EC: Lab volunteer, undergraduate thesis, intramural sports, a bunch of clubs at my university
Date you submitted app to Waterloo: received October 16th
Date you have your interview: November 24th 1:00 pm
 
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Congrats sdhami and CFan on your interviews!

As for :

CFan said:
Hi everyone,
... One of my friend who is re-applying this year told me that Waterloo is splitting the interview into two days for those who are first-time applicants and for those who are re-applying. Does anyone know anything about that? My interview is on Sunday and I am a first time applicant. Please also indicate (if you don't mind) whether or not you are a first time applicant! Thank you!
Click to expand...


I believe it is not split up this way. I know a second time applicant who interviewed last year and has Nov 24 as their interview date. Seeing as my interview date is also on Nov 24 and I am a first time applicant means that they have not split up the applicant pool.

What this does make me ponder is how many interview spots they gave out?
I'm thinking we could figure it out based on the dates of last years and how many stations there were.

Anybody want to weigh in on their experience from last year?
 
Xraychump said:
Congrats sdhami and CFan on your interviews!

As for :




I believe it is not split up this way. I know a second time applicant who interviewed last year and has Nov 24 as their interview date. Seeing as my interview date is also on Nov 24 and I am a first time applicant means that they have not split up the applicant pool.

What this does make me ponder is how many interview spots they gave out?
I'm thinking we could figure it out based on the dates of last years and how many stations there were.

Anybody want to weigh in on their experience from last year?
Click to expand...
Thank you Xraychump!
I have always wondered about that as well! I also wonder if it depends on the number of applicants per year as well...

Good luck to everyone on their interviews! If anyone is on UW campus, please feel free to contact me if you would like to do mock interviews! :)

I'm so excited I can't even focus on midterms! lol
 
HI is there anyone that is still waiting for hear from Waterloo? I have sent my application in July and I am still wating to hear form them for the interview.... Stressed!!!
 
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Hi Everyone!
I have also been invited for an interview on Nov. 24th at 1pm.
My application was received Oct. 12 and I got my invite on Oct. 16 :)
I'm really nervous! Good luck to everyone who has an interview!
 
03161990 said:
Hi Everyone!
I have also been invited for an interview on Nov. 24th at 1pm.
My application was received Oct. 12 and I got my invite on Oct. 16 :)
I'm really nervous! Good luck to everyone who has an interview!
Click to expand...

03161990 Congrats on your interview!

Could you post your stats for the community?
 
WS123 said:
HI is there anyone that is still waiting for hear from Waterloo? I have sent my application in July and I am still wating to hear form them for the interview.... Stressed!!!
Click to expand...

Have you checked with them to see if they've received all the necessary materials?
 
Xraychump said:
03161990 Congrats on your interview!

Could you post your stats for the community?
Click to expand...
Yes, sorry!

Current Education level : finishing my 4th year, undergrad in B. Sc.
OAT score : 340/340
GPA: ~3.4
Optometry Experience: Lots of job experience working, volunteering, shadowing. I am fortunate to have a family member in the business!
EC: Co-op jobs have given me a lot of lab research experiences, President of a club on campus, volunteering on campus, dance, music, peer mentoring.
Date you submitted app to Waterloo: Received Oct. 12
Date you have your interview: Nov. 24 at 1 pm
 
I was offered a interview back in September. My interview date is on the 24th at 9am. I was wondering if anyone know anymore info on what the day is gonna be like and how we should prepare for it?


Here are my stats

Current Education level : 3rd yr BSc University of Alberta
OAT score : (390 TS / 380 AA)
GPA: (3.85 out of 4.0 )
Optometry Experience: Shadowed 4 different optometrists, worked part time at 2 different clinics
EC: tutoring, mentoring, coaching, baseball, volleyball, tons of rec sports
Date you submitted app to Waterloo: sept 15th?
Date you have your interview: November 9am
 
From what I understand and reading past threads, you arrive for your interview time as a group, and are given introductions/ instructions. You then split up and complete the interview stations. This is followed by a tour of facilities and round-table discussion with students as it said in our letter.
Previous threads said the day will go by really fast and can be fun! I'm actually pretty excited for the day.
As for preparation, I've talked to peers who have had MMI interviews for med/ pharm school and they have given me some tips, but from what I have heard it's hard to practice since the questions vary from year to year.
I think a good way to prepare is look up possible MMI questions and practice reading the prompt for 2 mins and answering in 8 mins. I would say the most important thing is being able to articulate your response clearly in the time given.
Hope this helps!
I would also read the Waterloo threads from 2011 and 2012 (and before if possible) as there are some good tips in there too :)
 
I did and they said that everything is complete...:confused:
 
How is everyone else preparing for the interview?!
 
Hi everyone,

I just got my invitation for an interview at Waterloo today, my interview date is Nov 24 1 pm.

Current Education level :4th year undergrad double majoring in Biomed and Psychology
OAT score : 340/330
GPA: ~3.2
Optometry Experience: Job shadowing at two different optometry clinics for about 100 hours of experience.
EC: extensively involved in the student community, Artistic Director for multiple dance teams on campus, Habitat for Humanity promotions exec, Science Student Council communications committee, hospital volunteering.
Date you submitted app to Waterloo: Oct. 12
Date you have your interview: Nov. 24 at 1 pm

I'm wondering if anyone knows any information on the interview questions or past questions that were asked? How is everyone else preparing for the interview?
 
Xraychump said:
Hey Eyeguy7

Do you think you could elaborate on your experience with the interview process MI ?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Hey! Sorry for the delay on this. As for my experience with the interviews, all interviewees have to sign something that prevents us from disclosing specific information about the interviews. I would advise not stressing about it (easier said than done, I realize), and getting a good sleep the night before. Also, remember that each station has a different interviewer, and that they don't communicate with each other. So, if you butcher one station, you still have a few others to make up for it.
If there are more specific questions on the interview process, or about applications in general, let me know! I should be on here more frequently now. Cheers!
 
Thanks for the tips Eyeguy7!
Do you know how many people received interviews for your year? They didn't have anything posted on their website but I just wanted to calculate some probabilities :p
Also in our invitation letter it says that our interview is closed file, does that mean the interviewers only know our names?
Thanks! :)
 
CFan said:
Thanks for the tips Eyeguy7!
Do you know how many people received interviews for your year? They didn't have anything posted on their website but I just wanted to calculate some probabilities :p
Also in our invitation letter it says that our interview is closed file, does that mean the interviewers only know our names?
Thanks! :)
Click to expand...
For the closed file inquiry... they don't have access to our application/ transcript/ OAT scores, I believe they just know our name and where we are from. Hope this helps!
 
Congrats to all who got interviews!
I just got my email from Waterloo yesterday.

As for stats:
Current Education level : 4th year Biology/Psychology major at UofT
OAT score : (330 TS / 330 AA)
GPA: (3.30 out of 4.0 )
Optometry Experience: Co-oped with an optometrist back in gr 12, worked with 3 different clinics part-time over the course of 4 years, worked with Lenscrafters briefly
EC: Volunteering at the ROM, student run cafe, chorus, Frosh-week, piano, tutoring
Date you submitted app to Waterloo: Oct 11
Date you have your interview: November 24th at 1pm.

I know a few people who got into Waterloo and US schools from previous years. I'll be asking them what they did to prepare.

Hopefully I get to meet some of you guys that day! Good luck to everyone :)
 
Hi everyone. Here's my info:

Current Education level : 4th year Biology Specialist at U of T Mississauga
OAT score : (330 / 330)
GPA: ( 3.73 of 4.0 )
Optometry Experience: Shadowed an optometrist in high school for a week. Currently shadow an optometrist at private practice, refractive surgery clinic, and opthalmologist clinic (ongoing since summer).
EC: volunteering , awards,
Date you submitted app to Waterloo: received around october 12
Date you have your interview: November 24 1 pm

Hope we can get to know each other. Might be potential classmates next year!

Good luck to everyone.
 
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Sites I found helpful in prepping for the interview:

http://advisingservices.ucdavis.edu/advising/hsa/handouts/optometry_school_interview.html

http://www.optometrystudents.com/salus-optometry-school-interview/

http://www.optometrystudents.com/category/pre-optometry-school/

Also, I don't know if you have services like this at your universities, but at UTM, the Career Centre offers practice interviews. I thought mine really helped. It gave a preview to how I would be at the real interview and tested if I can think on my feet. Questions were helpful too (most asked are covered in the above sites). If you have mock interview services, I really recommend taking advantage of them.
 
Hi everyone, I have applied to Waterloo optometry for 2013 and found this forum on Google and thought I would join :)

I have not practiced/ prepared for the interview yet, but I plan to start soon after I finish essay/midterms.

Here are my statistics:

Current Education level : 3rd Year BSc at McMaster University
OAT score : (380 TS/ 370 AA)
GPA: 3.6
Optometry Experience: I shadowed 2 optometrists, one of them I shadowed for pretty much the entire summer, and only a few times with the other one.
EC: In the past I have volunteered at hospitals, optometrist and physician's office, and this year I am a part of a junior exec team at a club at Mac.
Date you submitted app to Waterloo: I think I submitted my application on Oct. 11, and received an interview on the 15th.
Date you have your interview: November 24
 
Well interviews are coming up this Saturday!

Wishing everyone good luck - Looks like based on previous estimates there are about 250 odd interviews split across the morning/ afternoon of Saturday, the morning of Sunday and the external interviews for those out west.

From 2011 cycle:
....Yeah I was told today that yesterday had about 150 people, and today had 53 people (internal waterloo students only, apparently) ...
Click to expand...

...keep in mind that there were also external interviews too, so there is likely more like 225-250, unfortunately...,
Click to expand...

Anybody confirm that internal Waterloo students are interviewing the same day?
My guess perhaps is around 36% chance for each of us weighing all things equally.
 
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So after doing a bit of research indeed the internal Waterloo applicants and external Waterloo applicants are done on different days.

As for external interviews for students out west and east - separate days for sure.
Modified first post to reflect.
 
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Xraychump said:
Well interviews are coming up this Saturday!

Wishing everyone good luck - Looks like based on previous estimates there are about 250 odd interviews split across the morning/ afternoon of Saturday, the morning of Sunday and the external interviews for those out west.

From 2011 cycle:




Anybody confirm that internal Waterloo students are interviewing the same day?
My guess perhaps is around 36% chance for each of us weighing all things equally.
Click to expand...

Oh wow that seems like a high number of invites considering there's only around 250-300 applicants.

Good luck to everyone on their interviews!!
 
CFan said:
Thanks for the tips Eyeguy7!
Do you know how many people received interviews for your year? They didn't have anything posted on their website but I just wanted to calculate some probabilities :p
Also in our invitation letter it says that our interview is closed file, does that mean the interviewers only know our names?
Thanks! :)
Click to expand...

Hey there! If I recall correctly, I think it was only about 160 that actually ended up interviewing last year? I could be wrong, but that's the number that sticks out in my head. By closed file, it means that the interviewer knows nothing about you, apart from your name.
 
Eyeguy7 said:
Hey there! If I recall correctly, I think it was only about 160 that actually ended up interviewing last year? I could be wrong, but that's the number that sticks out in my head. By closed file, it means that the interviewer knows nothing about you, apart from your name.
Click to expand...
Thanks Eyeguy7!
I had my interview today and there were only around 35 Waterloo applicants... How did everyone else do? I think I got lucky because I got the easier questions first, which really helped calm me down! Now it's just the waiting game! March come faster!!!
 
I interviewed at 1pm on sat and for the most part, it went better than I thought it would go. However, a few scenarios did catch me off guard. Anyways, congrats to everyone making it this far.
 
Hey Hastin

Interviewed at the same time - pretty sure you were in my group haha.

Overall thoughts - It was fun! I guess what concerns me is there were so many other interviews going on, and I think it could get pretty subjective as to each interviewers interpretation. However, it was apparent you may or may not be asked the same questions as the people in your group.

Another thing that threw me off was 2 mins to think , and only 6 mins to answer! I thought it was going to be 8 minutes so my answers always ran longer! Anyways I wasn't left with any awkward silences in between or after my answers.

What I think may have been strategic had I known is that everyone has 8 minutes in total. Really, you didn't have to take 2 minutes to think about your question. If per say you wanted to start earlier, I think you could have entered the room earlier partitioned your time as 1 min to think and 7 minutes to talk. I believe this could have been more in favour for some of the stations.

Well that's my experience. Good luck everyone come March. Hopefully more people jump on the forum and start discussions. I know there are a lot of lurkers because this thread has over 4000 views but only 45 posts...which is really sad...

One more thing - 200 interviews apparently. 90/200 = 45% chance.
Good luck come March
 
Xraychump said:
Hey Hastin

Interviewed at the same time - pretty sure you were in my group haha.

Overall thoughts - It was fun! I guess what concerns me is there were so many other interviews going on, and I think it could get pretty subjective as to each interviewers interpretation. However, it was apparent you may or may not be asked the same questions as the people in your group.

Another thing that threw me off was 2 mins to think , and only 6 mins to answer! I thought it was going to be 8 minutes so my answers always ran longer! Anyways I wasn't left with any awkward silences in between or after my answers.

What I think may have been strategic had I known is that everyone has 8 minutes in total. Really, you didn't have to take 2 minutes to think about your question. If per say you wanted to start earlier, I think you could have entered the room earlier partitioned your time as 1 min to think and 7 minutes to talk. I believe this could have been more in favour for some of the stations.

Well that's my experience. Good luck everyone come March. Hopefully more people jump on the forum and start discussions. I know there are a lot of lurkers because this thread has over 4000 views but only 45 posts...which is really sad...

One more thing - 200 interviews apparently. 90/200 = 45% chance.
Good luck come March
Click to expand...

Well, since xraychump called me out...haha I'll decide to post something. I had my interview on the Sunday as part of the morning batch. I agree with xraychump, I thought we had 8 minutes to answer and was sort of thrown off at my first station. My interview was at 12:30, so they gave us the tour first as well as the round table discussion. I, as well as other students there, found it hard to really take in the tour experience and student discussions as mostly everyone was nervous and had the interview on their minds. Although having the discussion prior to the interviews might've benefited some students. Good luck everyone! Now to find something to occupy myself til March...
 
I was having the same issue with the response time. I had prepped for longer but was surprised that it was only 6 mins.
All in all, it was kind of fun. Though I wished they had told us that we were still gonna be split up into 3 different interview times in the afternoon. I had the last time 3:30-4:30 and I was a nervous wreck the whole time waiting.
Has anyone applied to the States as well? 45% chance of getting in is pretty good. We have to also consider that some people will decline their offers as well, but best keep a back up ready.
 
Hey guys, I'm new here. I thought the interview was fun too! Waiting for march is gonna be a long time.
 
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