UHCO Interview

[live2serve]

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Hi Everyone,
I have an interview with UHCO the beginning of next month, and have a few questions for those of you who have already interviewed there. I checked the feedback thread here, and there is only 1 review for UHCO interviews for the 2010 entering class, but I know that several of you have interviewed there already.

If some of you who have completed the interview (and especially those offered a seat) would be willing to answer some questions, I would greatly appreciate it.

Were all of your interviews closed file? How many interviewers were present? How formal did you dress? Were dress slacks, button down, and tie enough? Or would a suit and tie be more fitting? Any questions that threw you for a loop?

Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[pamin002]

hey is your interview date dec. 4th? i have my interview at UHCO then

 

[live2serve]

pamin002,
It is indeed. Sounds like I'll see you there!

 

[SonofanOpt]

Hi Everyone,
I have an interview with UHCO the beginning of next month, and have a few questions for those of you who have already interviewed there. I checked the feedback thread here, and there is only 1 review for UHCO interviews for the 2010 entering class, but I know that several of you have interviewed there already.

If some of you who have completed the interview (and especially those offered a seat) would be willing to answer some questions, I would greatly appreciate it.

Were all of your interviews closed file? How many interviewers were present? How formal did you dress? Were dress slacks, button down, and tie enough? Or would a suit and tie be more fitting? Any questions that threw you for a loop?

Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Hello, I interviewed at UHCO and accepted their offer (which strangely enough I received after the completion of my interview).
The interviewers do not have anything about you. They might have head your essay (I can't remember), but other than that, they do not know your GPA, scores, experiences, etc. It is a faculty member and a student (mine was a first year). All the interviewing professors were very friendly, and I found the day/interview to actually be pretty stress-free. Definitely wear a suit. One question that I didn't enjoy was "If you found out a classmate was cheating, what would you do?" Obviously, it's not a hard question, but I don't understand why they asked it when they know that they will receive the same answer from everyone - tell someone, even though most people probably wouldn't. Have a couple questions ready as well, as they give you some time to "interview" them after they are done. Some other's I was asked were (outside of the obvious ones - Why Optometry, Why here...):
"How do you study?" - "How will you study with a lot of difficult classes that all have their tests in a 5 day span?"
"How do you relieve stress?"
"What do you enjoy reading?"
"If we asked your best friend what your best characteristics were, what would he say?"
"What have you done to assure yourself that you want to become an Optometrist?"

The schedule looks like this (my group was there from 9 - 1:30):
Dr. Shulman (Dean of Admissions) gives his presentation about the school.
The Financial Aid person comes in a talks about tuition, loans, etc.
A tour of the facilities - classrooms, clinics, labs, library, etc.
Lunch with the interviewers and other faculty members.
Interview.
Like a 2 minute chat with Dr. Shulman about the day - if you enjoyed it, hated it, whatever.
Adios.


The day was pretty enjoyable. I loved the clinics and the students I talked with in the halls were friendly and encouraging. Having the school's fitness center next door also sealed the deal in my mind. 🙄 If you need anything else feel free to ask.
Good luck and try not to stress too much!

 

[live2serve]

Hello, I interviewed at UHCO and accepted their offer (which strangely enough I received after the completion of my interview).
The interviewers do not have anything about you. They might have head your essay (I can't remember), but other than that, they do not know your GPA, scores, experiences, etc. It is a faculty member and a student (mine was a first year). All the interviewing professors were very friendly, and I found the day/interview to actually be pretty stress-free. Definitely wear a suit. One question that I didn't enjoy was "If you found out a classmate was cheating, what would you do?" Obviously, it's not a hard question, but I don't understand why they asked it when they know that they will receive the same answer from everyone - tell someone, even though most people probably wouldn't. Have a couple questions ready as well, as they give you some time to "interview" them after they are done. Some other's I was asked were (outside of the obvious ones - Why Optometry, Why here...):
"How do you study?" - "How will you study with a lot of difficult classes that all have their tests in a 5 day span?"
"How do you relieve stress?"
"What do you enjoy reading?"
"If we asked your best friend what your best characteristics were, what would he say?"
"What have you done to assure yourself that you want to become an Optometrist?"

The schedule looks like this (my group was there from 9 - 1:30):
Dr. Shulman (Dean of Admissions) gives his presentation about the school.
The Financial Aid person comes in a talks about tuition, loans, etc.
A tour of the facilities - classrooms, clinics, labs, library, etc.
Lunch with the interviewers and other faculty members.
Interview.
Like a 2 minute chat with Dr. Shulman about the day - if you enjoyed it, hated it, whatever.
Adios.


The day was pretty enjoyable. I loved the clinics and the students I talked with in the halls were friendly and encouraging. Having the school's fitness center next door also sealed the deal in my mind. 🙄 If you need anything else feel free to ask.
Good luck and try not to stress too much!

Thank you very much for that in-depth response SonofanOpt! That really helps a lot. I'm glad to hear that it was a fairly stress-free, and enjoyable experience. I really am looking forward to it.

👍

 

[Thinh]

Is there not any essay to write during the interview?

 

[live2serve]

Is there not any essay to write during the interview?

Nope, not at UHCO. The entire experience was very comfortable and laid-back. I really enjoyed it. 👍

 

[eyepdesai]

Hey I'm from Texas, but I'm not familiar with the Houston area. How did you find the city of Houston and the surrounding area? How was the weather?

Thanks!

 

[lovelydisaster]

I'm from Houston and right now it's 39 degrees! (which is pretty much as cold as it gets) The temperature in the winter is cold but it isn't that cold. During the fall it's nice, but as you get into the summer season, it is humid and disgustingly in the 100's.

The location of UHCO in itself is kind of shady, but the whole UH campus is there. If you go towards a certain area, it's bad, but if you go the opposite way, it's not as bad (Med Center area). There's plenty to do in Houston, for sure, though! P/m me if you need more info (about the school itself, etc)! 🙂

 

[pamin002]

Hey I'm from Texas, but I'm not familiar with the Houston area. How did you find the city of Houston and the surrounding area? How was the weather?

Thanks!

im from dallas, but im down in houston alot. the weather should be fairly decent right now (i was unfortunate enough to have it snow during my interview date lol). like lovelydisaster said, some parts of UH are going to be shady, however the area around the optometry school itself is pretty safe.

when is your interview?

if you are planning on spending the night before, I would suggest the Hilton that is on campus...as it is literally a block down from the optometry school (and i think you can get a discount there as well).

 

[eyepdesai]

Thanks so much for your inputs! I turned my application in about a week ago so i'm still waiting on replies from the schools. (Personal statements suck!) Yea, I go to school in Dallas so I'm familiar with the weather over here, but not in Houston. So I appreciate it guys!

 

[eyepdesai]

Anyone have an interview on April 9th?

 

[eyepdesai]

Bumpity bump bump. 😀

 

[flairy]

Anyone have an interview on April 9th?

Good luck tomorrow on your interview. I will be attending UHCO in the fall. I hope to see you there. FYI: When I attended the interview day, everyone that showed up got accepted that very day. Maybe they will do that for you.

 

[enthusiastOD]

Does anyone else have an interview on April 16th?
Also for those of you who already had an interview, any suggestions? anything in particular that I should know? Is it ok to take a family member with you? How was the traffic? dress code?
Thank You

 

[jonasque]

Does anyone else have an interview on April 16th?
Also for those of you who already had an interview, any suggestions? anything in particular that I should know? Is it ok to take a family member with you? How was the traffic? dress code?
Thank You

I just interviewed at UHCO. It's a very laid back interview. It was closed file for me, but i hear sometimes its open file.

You will haev alunch with a student and you will interview with the same student and a faculty member.

If you have been called for an interview then there's a good chance you have abeen accepted because they usually hand the acceptance letters to you the day of the interview ( in know! awesome!) Although, your's is a little later in the game so im not sure. They give you a tour of the campus, fianancial aid talk, std stuff. There is really no place for family members except the tour and fin aid talk. The traffic in houston is highly unpredictable so I say better early and safe that late and sorry.
Dress code is formal - Suit and tie for men, Slacks/ skirts for women. No jeans, no tanks, no flip flops despite the totally flip flop kinda weather here...
Best of luck!

I think you'll do great!

 

[Commando303]

Dress code is formal - Suit and tie for men, Slacks/ skirts for women. No jeans, no tanks, no flip flops despite the totally flip flop kinda weather here...

Do you mean men must wear a suit to lecture, lab., clinic, or the interview...?

 

[jonasque]

Do you mean men must wear a suit to lecture, lab., clinic, or the interview...?

I meant formal attire to the interview.

UHCO does have a dress code for clinic - dress shirt, tie and slacks for men (no suit needed). But the students can dress casual to classes and labs.

 

[enthusiastOD]

Thank you so much for answering all my questions and concerns. It is definitely of great help!

 

[Commando303]

I meant formal attire to the interview.

I think that's unfair. First, how would an applicant know this (unless the interview-invitation letter specifies the point)? Second, not everyone has this sort of attire, and demanding one make the purchases just for this purpose is, I feel, silly.

Of course, many candidates do play dress-up for the event, anyway, but, still... (By the way, I showed up to my interviews in jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt covered by a button-down shirt. I thought it was O.K., but it admittedly maybe lacked the chic style of the two-piece suits donned by some of my competitors.)

 

[Mewcakes]

I disagree. One would dress in a suit/nice clothes for a job interview, right? Showing that you care enough to dress up nicely is a good thing. Plus, in essence, this is the most important interview of your life. It's going to determine the path your life takes from here on. You'll need nice clothes to wear to clinic anyways, so you'll have to get some eventually. And I think it's entirely within the expectations to dress up. We're adults and we are supposed to look it. I'm not trying to offend or point fingers but can you truly expect to be taken seriously if you're just wearing street clothes? We're not kids anymore...

 

[jonasque]

I disagree. One would dress in a suit/nice clothes for a job interview, right? Showing that you care enough to dress up nicely is a good thing. Plus, in essence, this is the most important interview of your life. It's going to determine the path your life takes from here on. You'll need nice clothes to wear to clinic anyways, so you'll have to get some eventually. And I think it's entirely within the expectations to dress up. We're adults and we are supposed to look it. I'm not trying to offend or point fingers but can you truly expect to be taken seriously if you're just wearing street clothes? We're not kids anymore...

I agree..👍

 

[Commando303]

I disagree. One would dress in a suit/nice clothes for a job interview, right? Showing that you care enough to dress up nicely is a good thing. Plus, in essence, this is the most important interview of your life. It's going to determine the path your life takes from here on. You'll need nice clothes to wear to clinic anyways, so you'll have to get some eventually. And I think it's entirely within the expectations to dress up. We're adults and we are supposed to look it. I'm not trying to offend or point fingers but can you truly expect to be taken seriously if you're just wearing street clothes? We're not kids anymore...

Oh, come, now. First, every interview you're about to go to is "the most important interview of your life" — work, school, loans. My feeling is, how you look/dress, obviously, provides someone with his first impression of you, but when you open your mouth and things start coming out, that impression, the second one, is much more important — it's the one a respectable interviewer ought to weigh with rather more consideration. I'm not suggesting we strive to live in the crappy-movie world in which the uninterested, irreverent, incompetent schmuck in stained jeans and a faded Batman t-shirt gets the job, because he's "just so refreshingly different," but I do believe, generally, people place far too much emphasis on the suit-and-tie aspect of the interview.

 

[eyepdesai]

Yooooo!!

I had my interview last Friday at UHCO! I was pretty surprised when Dr. Shulman gave me an acceptance letter the day of and I'm pretty late in the game too, so don't give up!! Just stay confident, get good sleep, and go over your formulated answers to typical questions (why optometry, why UHCO, etc). My dad didn't come to my interview, but I met up with him later...too much parental pressure for me lol. However, other parents and fiances were there for the info sessions, lunch and tour. So you can bring a guest(s)! Just let 'em know how many you are bringing and if they have any dietary needs.


Everyone there was really nice and friendly, as is everyone in Texas! Dr. Shulman started out with a presentation of the school, followed by financial aid info from Mr. Ybarra and then a tour. I zoned out during the tour cuz tours are kinda boring to me lol. But, I found the clinic to be really impressive! The entire clinic is on the first floor, and the classrooms and labs (pretty big sizes) are on the 2nd. Their clinic was hippy-fied in the 70's and they did some remodelling since then, but kept some of the labs with their bright colors lol. They are also adding a 6-story extension to the clinic and will be housing a surgery unit (they are gonna hire ophthalmologists) and a few floors for research. So yea, the clinic is gonna be pretty BA in 2 years!

As for my interview, I had Dr. Pate and a first year student. It was very conversational and they asked typical questions: why optometry, biggest adversity you have had to overcome, what you do for fun or to relax, and why the lids of manholes are round...yeah. With those kinds of questions, I think they just want to see what you can come up with and how you think. I didn't know the answer and I just made something up, but it didn't really affect my interview negatively. Just appear confident in your answers. 😎

Overall, very strong program, wayy less expensive for in-state and out-of-state tuition and the cost of living is pretty low (comparatively). Houston was pretty cool and very diverse! More diverse than I thought it could ever get in Texas. The only thing that sucks is the humid weather, but you would be indoors most of the summers you are there. 👍

Lol Commando! I agree with you that looks aren't everything, and I give you props for having the balls to go to an interview in jeans! However, as much as I am a huge prononent of comfy jeans, tshirts, sweats, and other casual wear, I don't think anyone would recommend going to an interview in such attire, especially for an interview for a professional graduate program. Unfortunately, first impressions are everything in the real world. You had a point when you said that more emphasis should be placed on who you are and what comes outta your mouth. The reality is if you don't LOOK like you have important things to say, people won't even give you the chance to say them. Think about the psychology of dressing up and first impressions. Dressing up demonstrates that you put time and effort into looking like the interviewers, looking professional. And they, like everyone else, naturally form impressions of you based on how you look. Even if you have important things to say, that first impression is going to override any secondary impressions they have of you. That's justy typically how it goes. Lol, Commando, I agree with you, but the real world sucks, and if you can't beat em, join em!

Good luck!

 

[Commando303]

Yooooo!!

I had my interview last Friday at UHCO! I was pretty surprised when Dr. Shulman gave me an acceptance letter the day of and I'm pretty late in the game too, so don't give up!! Just stay confident, get good sleep, and go over your formulated answers to typical questions (why optometry, why UHCO, etc). My dad didn't come to my interview, but I met up with him later...too much parental pressure for me lol. However, other parents and fiances were there for the info sessions, lunch and tour. So you can bring a guest(s)! Just let 'em know how many you are bringing and if they have any dietary needs.


Everyone there was really nice and friendly, as is everyone in Texas! Dr. Shulman started out with a presentation of the school, followed by financial aid info from Mr. Ybarra and then a tour. I zoned out during the tour cuz tours are kinda boring to me lol. But, I found the clinic to be really impressive! The entire clinic is on the first floor, and the classrooms and labs (pretty big sizes) are on the 2nd. Their clinic was hippy-fied in the 70's and they did some remodelling since then, but kept some of the labs with their bright colors lol. They are also adding a 6-story extension to the clinic and will be housing a surgery unit (they are gonna hire ophthalmologists) and a few floors for research. So yea, the clinic is gonna be pretty BA in 2 years!

As for my interview, I had Dr. Pate and a first year student. It was very conversational and they asked typical questions: why optometry, biggest adversity you have had to overcome, what you do for fun or to relax, and why the lids of manholes are round...yeah. With those kinds of questions, I think they just want to see what you can come up with and how you think. I didn't know the answer and I just made something up, but it didn't really affect my interview negatively. Just appear confident in your answers. 😎

Overall, very strong program, wayy less expensive for in-state and out-of-state tuition and the cost of living is pretty low (comparatively). Houston was pretty cool and very diverse! More diverse than I thought it could ever get in Texas. The only thing that sucks is the humid weather, but you would be indoors most of the summers you are there. 👍

Lol Commando! I agree with you that looks aren't everything, and I give you props for having the balls to go to an interview in jeans! However, as much as I am a huge prononent of comfy jeans, tshirts, sweats, and other casual wear, I don't think anyone would recommend going to an interview in such attire, especially for an interview for a professional graduate program. Unfortunately, first impressions are everything in the real world. You had a point when you said that more emphasis should be placed on who you are and what comes outta your mouth. The reality is if you don't LOOK like you have important things to say, people won't even give you the chance to say them. Think about the psychology of dressing up and first impressions. Dressing up demonstrates that you put time and effort into looking like the interviewers, looking professional. And they, like everyone else, naturally form impressions of you based on how you look. Even if you have important things to say, that first impression is going to override any secondary impressions they have of you. That's justy typically how it goes. Lol, Commando, I agree with you, but the real world sucks, and if you can't beat em, join em!

Good luck!

First, congratulations on your acceptance to U.H.C.O. — !

Second, I'll not try to push my point much further — I'd hate to become the reason a hopeful applicant wanders into an admissions office in sweatpants and a skull-cap, smoking a cigar and clutching a teddy bear, and leaves with disappointment and vengeance in his heart. I'll try to bottom-line my meaning this way: A person ought to show up to an interview as he or she is comfortable. If you arrive in casual attire and the only thing on your mind, through the inquisition, is, "Do I look out-of-place?" you're doing yourself no favor by making some odd "political point." On the other hand, if dressing up isn't your "thing," you might not behave as you or your interviewer would like, your having queerly crammed your life's first pair of dress-slacks.

I'm remiss to pass off an anecdote as evidence, but I'll go ahead to say, in all my effulgent hoboesqueness, I was (perhaps fortunate to be) accepted into the O.D. programs to which I applied — .

 

[eyepdesai]

Haha thanks Commando! Congratulations to you too!

Also, just something random I remembered, UHCO actually has really strong connections with the med schools in Houston. Apparently, their ophthomology students come rotate at UHCO, and I assume UHCO students would be able to rotate with them at the med schools. Anyone know more about this?

 

[flairy]

Honestly, if you googled what to wear to an interview for a professional school they will all say to wear a suit. I understand it may stink to have to shell out money to buy a suit for once or twice, but remember you will have to wear professional looking clothes in the clinic and on job interviews post-graduation. If you really don't want to buy a suit, you can always be resourceful and just wear a nice pair of dress pants and a button down shirt, just a suit looks more professional.

I mean when you go to any doctor will you feel in good hands if that person was in jeans and a t-shirt? We are entering into a professional world. Your patients are trusting you with their eyes and their health. I personally wouldn't want my doctor look like the person just came from the mall. We may not have to wear a suit when we are doctors but we still have to look professional and a grownup.

So please if you have an interview, wear the proper clothing and if you don't know what to wear look it up. In a world of internet, you shouldn't be clueless on what is proper for an interview.

 

[BobNhieu]

Yooooo!!

I had my interview last Friday at UHCO! I was pretty surprised when Dr. Shulman gave me an acceptance letter the day of and I'm pretty late in the game too, so don't give up!! Just stay confident, get good sleep, and go over your formulated answers to typical questions (why optometry, why UHCO, etc). My dad didn't come to my interview, but I met up with him later...too much parental pressure for me lol. However, other parents and fiances were there for the info sessions, lunch and tour. So you can bring a guest(s)! Just let 'em know how many you are bringing and if they have any dietary needs.


Everyone there was really nice and friendly, as is everyone in Texas! Dr. Shulman started out with a presentation of the school, followed by financial aid info from Mr. Ybarra and then a tour. I zoned out during the tour cuz tours are kinda boring to me lol. But, I found the clinic to be really impressive! The entire clinic is on the first floor, and the classrooms and labs (pretty big sizes) are on the 2nd. Their clinic was hippy-fied in the 70's and they did some remodelling since then, but kept some of the labs with their bright colors lol. They are also adding a 6-story extension to the clinic and will be housing a surgery unit (they are gonna hire ophthalmologists) and a few floors for research. So yea, the clinic is gonna be pretty BA in 2 years!

As for my interview, I had Dr. Pate and a first year student. It was very conversational and they asked typical questions: why optometry, biggest adversity you have had to overcome, what you do for fun or to relax, and why the lids of manholes are round...yeah. With those kinds of questions, I think they just want to see what you can come up with and how you think. I didn't know the answer and I just made something up, but it didn't really affect my interview negatively. Just appear confident in your answers. 😎

Overall, very strong program, wayy less expensive for in-state and out-of-state tuition and the cost of living is pretty low (comparatively). Houston was pretty cool and very diverse! More diverse than I thought it could ever get in Texas. The only thing that sucks is the humid weather, but you would be indoors most of the summers you are there. 👍

Lol Commando! I agree with you that looks aren't everything, and I give you props for having the balls to go to an interview in jeans! However, as much as I am a huge prononent of comfy jeans, tshirts, sweats, and other casual wear, I don't think anyone would recommend going to an interview in such attire, especially for an interview for a professional graduate program. Unfortunately, first impressions are everything in the real world. You had a point when you said that more emphasis should be placed on who you are and what comes outta your mouth. The reality is if you don't LOOK like you have important things to say, people won't even give you the chance to say them. Think about the psychology of dressing up and first impressions. Dressing up demonstrates that you put time and effort into looking like the interviewers, looking professional. And they, like everyone else, naturally form impressions of you based on how you look. Even if you have important things to say, that first impression is going to override any secondary impressions they have of you. That's justy typically how it goes. Lol, Commando, I agree with you, but the real world sucks, and if you can't beat em, join em!

Good luck!

I was interviewed last friday April 16, and I also was interviewed by Dr. Pate and another student. The manholes' lid question also was asked; although, I have heard of the question in the past from a friend and was surprise it was ask in the interview. Anyway, I did not recieved an acceptance letter at the end of the day. Does that mean I did not get in?😕

 

[pamin002]

BobNhieu

don't worry if you didnt get handed your acceptance letter on the day of your interview. I interviewed way back in december and didnt get my acceptance letter till the week after (in the mail).

what did dr. shulman say when you met with him after your interview? was his feedback positive?

eyepdesai

congrats on the acceptance! 🙂 as far as i know, we don't actually rotate into the med school there (unless of course you want to use it as one of your extern sites during your 4th year)

 

[BobNhieu]

BobNhieu

don't worry if you didnt get handed your acceptance letter on the day of your interview. I interviewed way back in december and didnt get my acceptance letter till the week after (in the mail).

what did dr. shulman say when you met with him after your interview? was his feedback positive?

eyepdesai

congrats on the acceptance! 🙂 as far as i know, we don't actually rotate into the med school there (unless of course you want to use it as one of your extern sites during your 4th year)

I didn't see Dr. Shulman at the end of the interview. The girl at the receptionist gave me a folder with informations and a lunch bag with school supplies, and she said the school will responds within two weeks.

 

[lovelydisaster]

Well, I guess all you can do is wait. I know it can be a killer! But you should know by next Friday. Exciting! 🙂 Let us know how it goes!

 

[BobNhieu]

Well, I guess all you can do is wait. I know it can be a killer! But you should know by next Friday. Exciting! 🙂 Let us know how it goes!

Yeah !!! waiting should be fun haha😀

 

[BobNhieu]

YAY!!! Dr. Shulman just called to inform me 😱 of the acceptance to UHCO!!!!🙂