going for interviews....

[nobodyknows]

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Hi, everyone. Just wondering if someone can enlighten me on the interview process. What kind of questions are asked? How should I dress? Anything I should mention to them during the interview? What should I avoid saying? I heard UCB makes us write an essay on the spot. Is that true?

 

[cpw]

I don't remember writing an essay for UCB but it's been four years so it could have changed. I know UHCO has an essay part to their interviews.

Questions asked depends on the school. Make sure you know EXACTLY why you want to be an OD.

Dress professionally: suit and tie, or skirt with blouse.

 

[Rosanna]

I heard UCB makes us write an essay on the spot. Is that true?

Hello:

I interviewed during the 2002-2003 application cycle. UCBSO, SCCO, and ICO had me write essays during the interview date. SUNY interviewed me at my undergraduate so I did not have to write an essay but my friend went to the campus for her interview and she had to write one. Newenco did not ask me to write an essay.

ICO had ask me to write about what I could contribute to the student body. SCCO had me write a letter to the incoming class describing why I would be a good class president. UCBSO gave three possible topics: (1) Which inventor would you like to meet? (2) Write a letter to your best friend about what you did during the summer. (3) What was the last book you read and would you recommend it to a friend?

I know the questions for UCBSO have been more difficult in the past year (how do you feel about the military draft?), so it does change every year.

Just take your time when writing the essay (it's not a race), and try not to make any spelling or grammatical mistakes.

Best wishes,

Rosanna

 

[happy7]

I had to write an essay at SUNY about cloning. My interview there was a little intimidating- you walk into a room with 3 people sitting around a table, who all fire questions at you. It wasn't as bad as it seemed, just shocking when you walk in! I agree- dress professionally, and COMFY! 🙂

 

[EyeDr2008]

I am from Alabama so the only two schools I applied to were UAB and Southern College of Optometry. I interviewed and was accepted to both schools. I chose UAB because of obvious tuition advantages and also because I was more impressed with the hospitality and friendliness of the staff at UAB. The interview at UAB was great. I had a panel interview with 3 professors and a one-on-one interview with the Head of Student Affairs. Both of the interviews were low pressure and very conversational. They just asked about things like hobbies, volunteer work, optometry experience, why I want to be an optometrist, and all the other typical questions. My interview at UAB was a wonderful experience. The interview at Southern was much more high pressure. I think I just had a tough interviewer though because the other 3 people that interviewed the same time I did (with different professors) said that their interviews were much more laid back. My guy asked me lots of questions about stuff like sub-specialties in the field of optometry, how many different settings can an optometrist work in, and continuing education after finishing optometry school. He also asked me about the American Optometric Association and what I knew about it. I thought I answered the questions pretty well, and he obviously did to, because they admitted me the following Monday. But my interviewer there definitely made me sweat!

 

[J.opt]

Am I the only one who thinks that we should have an optometry school interview feedback section on SDN, just like the ones available for med, dental and pharm students? 😕

 

[Tony.]

I am from Alabama so the only two schools I applied to were UAB and Southern College of Optometry. I interviewed and was accepted to both schools. I chose UAB because of obvious tuition advantages and also because I was more impressed with the hospitality and friendliness of the staff at UAB. The interview at UAB was great. I had a panel interview with 3 professors and a one-on-one interview with the Head of Student Affairs. Both of the interviews were low pressure and very conversational. They just asked about things like hobbies, volunteer work, optometry experience, why I want to be an optometrist, and all the other typical questions. My interview at UAB was a wonderful experience. The interview at Southern was much more high pressure. I think I just had a tough interviewer though because the other 3 people that interviewed the same time I did (with different professors) said that their interviews were much more laid back. My guy asked me lots of questions about stuff like sub-specialties in the field of optometry, how many different settings can an optometrist work in, and continuing education after finishing optometry school. He also asked me about the American Optometric Association and what I knew about it. I thought I answered the questions pretty well, and he obviously did to, because they admitted me the following Monday. But my interviewer there definitely made me sweat!

all my opt. school interviews were pretty good. I didnt sweat at all actually..i was a little bit nervous in the beginning, but then when they asked me questions i was PREPARED FOR, then it took some pressure off....
like: 'how/why did you get involved with the field of optometry?'
I think thats the key to interviews, if you're prepared for their questions, then you should be alright 👍

just a word of advice (again): dress comfortably like everyone here said

 

[nobodyknows]

What did you do to prepare for the questions they were going to ask? There's no way of knowing what they will throw at you....Can you give me some advice on how I can prepare myself for their questions? Also, will they test you on your knowledge of what's going on in the field of optometry today? Or give you scenerios and ask you how you would go about solving it? thanks...

 

[yOyOYoo]

Am I the only one who thinks that we should have an Optometry School Interview Feedback Section on SDN, just like the ones available for med, dental and pharm students? 😕

you're not the only one! We should have an "OAT" discussion section as well, why do the Dental students get all those goodies?!?

 

[cpw]

you're not the only one! We should have an "OAT" discussion section as well, why do the Dental students get all those goodies?!?

cuz there are WAY more of them 😉

 

[Tony.]

you're not the only one! We should have an "OAT" discussion section as well, why do the Dental students get all those goodies?!?

speaking about dentists....
this has nothing to do with anything but, I feel like sharing today ( so i will) : 👍

I went to my dentist today for regular cleaning and X-raying etc. wow! he had this machine that took X-rays and you can see your teeth in black and white on the TV in front of you!! very cool.....I remember a few years ago, when he took x-rays, he had to leave the room and stand behind a wall or something and left me there with this black plastic thing in my mouth.....and back then the X-rays took ages to develop....

I just cant believe how far dentists and the their technology have come...Im really proud of them, their technology is improving (and personally, I can tell they are making more money......; i mean come on, my dentist only had one secretary about 12 years ago, today he has 4 assistants 3 secretaries and a bigger office....)

money aside though, you gotta love dentists (or their assistants), they get their HANDS DIRTY !! can we also say that about optometrists? I dont think so.....
But i havent changed my mind though, i'd rather look at eyes than teeth any day.....Im glad all peoples are different!

 

[nobodyknows]

ok...what happened to answering my questions? This thread has gone a totally new direction 😕 👎

 

[drbizzaro]

yeah, i love the way that dentists have evolved as well...

also - we all gotta love those hot dental hygenists - since they are always so young and attractive! 😉

speaking about dentists....
this has nothing to do with anything but, I feel like sharing today ( so i will) : 👍

I went to my dentist today for regular cleaning and X-raying etc. wow! he had this machine that took X-rays and you can see your teeth in black and white on the TV in front of you!! very cool.....I remember a few years ago, when he took x-rays, he had to leave the room and stand behind a wall or something and left me there with this black plastic thing in my mouth.....and back then the X-rays took ages to develop....

I just cant believe how far dentists and the their technology have come...Im really proud of them, their technology is improving (and personally, I can tell they are making more money......; i mean come on, my dentist only had one secretary about 12 years ago, today he has 4 assistants 3 secretaries and a bigger office....)

money aside though, you gotta love dentists (or their assistants), they get their HANDS DIRTY !! can we also say that about optometrists? I dont think so.....
But i havent changed my mind though, i'd rather look at eyes than teeth any day.....Im glad all peoples are different!

 

[drbizzaro]

cuz there are WAY more of them 😉

i agree with ya, there are way more of them

 

[jd4me]

What did you do to prepare for the questions they were going to ask? There's no way of knowing what they will throw at you....Can you give me some advice on how I can prepare myself for their questions? Also, will they test you on your knowledge of what's going on in the field of optometry today? Or give you scenerios and ask you how you would go about solving it? thanks...

From my experience, the possible questions that you've come up with are right on. They want to know that you're up-to-date with the field of optometry in your area, what the issues are, etc. Also they could ask some ethical scenarios such as how you'd deal with specific situations involving patients.

 

[yOyOYoo]

ok...what happened to answering my questions? This thread has gone a totally new direction 😕 👎

sorry do a search under my name: yOyOYoo and you will see a thread about SCCO interview questions. I think I put up a bunch of questions that you can look over and practice with. Sorry too lazy to link.

 

[Rosanna]

sorry do a search under my name: yOyOYoo and you will see a thread about SCCO interview questions. I think I put up a bunch of questions that you can look over and practice with. Sorry too lazy to link.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=958122#post958122

And yO, let me know how SCCO is and what other eyeballs are there with you. =)

- Rosanna