interview/random questions

[Hodori]

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Hi everyone,

Just want to start out by saying that I have been reading this forum for about a year and for the most part, you guys are really nice and have been really helpful.

Anways, I have some questions for ya'll:

Do UHCO and PCO offer interviews prior to receiving your OAT score? I sent out my apps mid-September and just took the OAT for the first time in Oct. but have yet to hear from them. I'm from Texas so I really want to go to Houston.... I've called UHCO but the lady who answered wasn't too friendly and said that they won't consider my file until I take the OAT. Is that true? Nova also said that too, but I got an interview from them....

Speaking of Nova, has anyone on this forum interviewed with them? Any advise? Also, I heard recently from a dentist that Nova is "owned" by the insurance companies. Is this remotely true?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this!

😍

 

[cpw]

UHCO only invites for interviews after receiving OAT scores. There have only been a handful of interviewees come through the school yet, since OAT scores haven't come in yet. People are invited en masse after the scores come in.

And yes, some of the people in the UHCO office aren't that friendly. I often wonder how they stay there. But, ask to talk to dr jackson... she's the head of admissions.. and VERY nice the helpful. 🙂 😎

 

[r_salis]

PCO will interview you prior to receiving your OAT scores -- I interviewed there the week before I took the October OAT last year.

 

[Hodori]

cpw and r_salis:

thanks for the honest replies! feel optimistic about UHCO but kinda bummed about PCO. oh well....

 

[Hodori]

hi cpw:

noticed on your profile that you went to UT. just want to make a shout-out to a fellow texas-ex!

 

[eyedream82]

Originally posted by Hodori
Hi everyone,
Speaking of Nova, has anyone on this forum interviewed with them? Any advise? Also, I heard recently from a dentist that Nova is "owned" by the insurance companies. Is this remotely true?

I didn't like Nova's application process. I turned in my application like in August and never heard anything from them by mail. I called them like a week or two ago and they said, "Oh, you got an invitation for an interview." I was like, geez, I thought the shark ate my application or something. The lady said they don't interview people in December and so I have to wait until January. I was like, thanks but no thanks, I already got like 5 other interviews that are waiting for me already. Besides, I hear some "not so good things" about Florida from my friends. I think it's supposed to be a really easy school to get in, and i don't think they're National Boards are that high compare to the other schools. They could be wrong, but that's what I heard.

 

[Hodori]

thanks eyedream82 for the info. i also heard that it's one of the easier ones to get into. but if that's the only one i get into, i can't complain....

okay, another random question for anyone:
i have sent out 4 apps but have several more i will sent out soon. in the personal statement, i stated that i had been accepted to medical school in the past but didn't attend. most of my health care related activities pertain to medical school and not optometry school. should i leave that out in the rest of the apps i send out? my boyfriend suggested that i put it in so i did, but i'm now beginning to think that it was a mistake. if the apps specifically ask if i ever got into med school, i'll of course be honest, but perhaps there's no need to state that in the essay (as part of healthcare experiences). from looking at the profiles of past students, i think my apps/numbers are competitive (except for oat scores..dunno yet) but since i haven't heard from PCO, i am trying to reevaluate my app before i send out more. please help.

 

[cpw]

i would definitely leave that in if they ask you if you've been accepted to med school on the app. Otherwise you're lying on your app and that looks even worse !!

Just have a good reason WHY you choose to go OD over MD. That's all they'll be looking for. Make a list of pros and cons for each that you can over in interviews cuz it will come up.

I had pre-pharmacy stuff on my app and many dog rescue organizations. Be sure that people asked me at interviews why I turned down pharmacy school and didn't apply to vet school. I had reasons I didn't go to either one of them. 🙂

 

[eyedream82]

Hondori,

I just thought it might be helpful to tell you that these 2 questions will show up in all of your optometry school interview: why did you choose optometry? why should we choose you over the other applicants?

I guarantee you those will show up b/c i've been asked on all of my interviews those same basic questions. I think cpw's advice is good, she knows more than I definitely go for it.

By the way, be prepared on this forum for your attack questions like: why did you choose OD over MD? don't you know that MD's have a high volume of patients than ODs?...and...Don't you know you get a lot of respect and more $$ being an MD? For some reason, I have a good feeling that you will be asked those questions since you said you got in MedSchool and didn't attend. 😎

Thanks for the kudos 😀

 

[Hodori]

thanks cpw and eyedream82 for the advise!

i'm prepared for the questions, but now, i'm just wishing that i made it more clear on the essay why i'm choosing OD over MD considering most of my experiences relate to more of the MD route.... oh well, no use dwelling on the past...

once again, i just want to say thanks for how gracious most of you guys on this forum are in being so honest and helpful. the health professions need more caring people like you. ya'll represent well!

 

[Hodori]

just a disposable comment:

eyedream82 reminded me of a topic that i've been reading a lot about in these forums: respect. for those that are in optometry or applying to optometry, this doesn't really apply to you guys (cause you already chose optometry i'm sure for the right reasons) but for those who are one the fence (deciding b/w MD and OD or MD and DDS, etc.), NO ONE CAN DISRESPECT YOU UNLESS YOU LET THEM. for those who feel that MDs "look down on" ODs, it's because you let them. if you are the type who feels that MDs get more respect, prestige, etc. and you feel that you will get that from others when you become an MD and that will make you happy--be an MD. this says nothing about your ability to be a great physician and to care about your patients. we all get our happiness from different things. be true to yourself.

 

[HighlyFanatic]

Originally posted by Hodori
NO ONE CAN DISRESPECT YOU UNLESS YOU LET THEM

very true; follows same ideology of --> 7 habits of highly effective ppl series.

 

[Simisn]

Originally posted by eyedream82
I didn't like Nova's application process. I turned in my application like in August and never heard anything from them by mail. I called them like a week or two ago and they said, "Oh, you got an invitation for an interview." I was like, geez, I thought the shark ate my application or something. The lady said they don't interview people in December and so I have to wait until January. I was like, thanks but no thanks, I already got like 5 other interviews that are waiting for me already. Besides, I hear some "not so good things" about Florida from my friends. I think it's supposed to be a really easy school to get in, and i don't think they're National Boards are that high compare to the other schools. They could be wrong, but that's what I heard.

I find this kind of strange about NOVA, because a friend of mine turned in his application to NOVA towards the end of september and they called him three weeks later for an interview, which is going to be around Nov 21

 

[yOyOYoo]

Originally posted by HighlyFanatic
very true; follows same ideology of --> 7 habits of highly effective ppl series.

I know this is off topic, but what are the other 6 habits?