Pco asap

[M281384]

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[mjl]

Still trying to figure out the cheapest play I can stay while interviewing at PCO. Also, how to get to the campus by early morning the next day without spending too much money. Would really appreciate some help! I'm arriving early the day before (only flight option) so I do have a whole day before interview day. Also, do most guys wear full suits? And lastly, I've been told there is a closed file interview and an open file admissions counselor session. Do both feel like an interview, and what kind of settings are they (professors office?)?


Thank you everyone, so much, for your help in advance! Leaving in two weeks for interview and this is my top choice school so I really want to make sure everything goes well and that I'm prepared. I went to the link for interview feedback and saw the kinds of questions they ask and I think I'm pretty prepared for that. Although, where do you look up major issues in current optometry? The only thing I can think of is market saturation...

Cant really help you out with where to stay since i just drove in the day of. Yes i would definately wear a full suit. The closed file is the real interview. Mine took place one on one in a meeting room right across the hall from the admissions office. The open file only lasted for a few minutes, i wouldnt worry about this at all unless you feel that you will have to explain bad grades/test scores. Also this took place in the woman's office. And id say poking around this sight for a while will give you some insight into the major issues.

 

[jc328]

If budget is your main concern, you can find some cheap motel near the airport and take the train from the airport to Jenkintown train station ($10 dollars and ~1 hr ride) The school is located ~1 mile from the Jenkintown train station, you can either walk to the campus or maybe call the admission office beforehand and see if you can get a ride from train station. Full suit is expected in the interview, and your interview will be held at either one of the meeting rooms or in the professor's office.
There are many issues going on in optometry right now; while optometrists are trying to expand our scope into surgeries, ophthalmologists are trying to limit optometrists' right to practice as well (i.e. House bill 838). You can also talk about how opticians are trying to expand into optometrist's field by legalizing refraction (as seen in BC, Canada) or the trend of getting glasses/contact lens online. Those are just a few things that came up in my mind now, I am sure there are more issues out there. Talk to the optometrist you shadowed and he/she might have something else to add on.

 

[M281384]

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[mjl]

Thank you for your help. The only issue with staying at the airport hotel is that I'm going to be in Philadelphia full day before, so I thought it would be good to be close to the main part of the city... but maybe not if it's going to cost too much and/or make me too far from Elkins Park...

Also... what's the schedule of the day usually like? Does everyone (how many people come to a typical interview day) interview at the exact same time (early in the morning)?

I got there for a 9:30 appointment and was with 2 other student who were interviewing as well. We each got taken away to do the closed file interview at the same time. There was only one woman doing the open file interview and she just did it in the order we got back from our closed file interview. Once both interviews were over we were taken on a tour by a second year student. This started with a ride over to their clinic, followed by lunch back at the main building. After lunch we got a tour of the main building. The day was over by around 2ish.

 

[M281384]

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[mjl]

I see... so when they say financial aid overview, or info session on school, these are more like a small meeting format with 2-3 people? (as opposed to more relaxed large room presentation etc)

Yes you are correct. Im sorry i forgot to mention that part of the day. The financial aid meeting was in a small conference room with the two other candidates.

 

[M281384]

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[NAE429]

So being that they were small format, do you feel like you are still being interviewed? Do the presenters for the financial aid overview and info session try to engage in conversation/discussion?

Not at all. I got the distinct feeling that the financial aid session was more about covering their own bases rather than them taking careful notes on individual interviewers or anything like that. Now that a lot of the unsubsidized loans are being done away with, they want to make sure everyone knows what they're getting into so they don't get complaints later.

 

[Shnurek]

Subsidized loans are done away with.