UMSL-Interview

[Canadian26]

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I had a question for all of you that Interviewed at UMSL. I have my interview there on monday, and I was just wondering a few things. For one, what types of questions do they ask? Ive gone through their brochure and there doesnt seem to be alot of info about courses and stuff... secondly how should I prepare? I was thinking of just going over mock interview questions agian, but is there anything specific they ask you? Lastly, I know the colleage only accepts 44 students a year, does anyone know how many they tend to interview a year and how many of those interviewed get accepted? and how many spots if any are reserved for residents?

Thanks in Advance

 

[4Eyes]

Hey! I'm a 2nd year at UMSL now.

They make the interview at UMSL as stress-free as possible. And they understand if you're nervous.

Here's what you can expect (from my experience anyway):

When you get there, you'll talk to Dr. Brown about your prereqs and she'll go over some information and practically tell you the answers to many of the interview questions.

Then you eat pizza with some current students and they take you on a tour.

Then it's interview time. Mine lasted about 30 minutes. There are usually two faculty members interviewing you. They ask you the questions that Dr. Brown went over (basically just things to see if you know what optometry is all about) and some obvious ones like "Why are you interested in optometry," etc. They don't try to trick you or anything. Just try to relax and answer everything honestly. And have a question or two in mind for the end when they ask if you have any questions.

I think there's pretty good information here
(It's kind of in the process of a makeover though).

And there's the curriculum info: clicky.

I used to have an idea as far as the statistics you were asking about, but now I honestly don't have a clue. I think this year's entering class stats are on opted though.

Good luck! If you have any more questions, feel free to post here or PM me. I will try to check in here again tonight. 🙂

 

[Canadian26]

Thanks a bunch for the curriculum info, I dont know why I couldnt find it. I spent like a half hr on the site looking haha.

Just another question, is UMSL tri-semesterd as well (i..e do you have spring and summer)?

 

[Ryan_eyeball]

Thanks a bunch for the curriculum info, I dont know why I couldnt find it. I spent like a half hr on the site looking haha.

Just another question, is UMSL tri-semesterd as well (i..e do you have spring and summer)?

i'm a fourth year at Umsl, and have enjoyed my time here (especially the fourth year is the best, no more classroom work).

There are two semesters the first year (fall and spring) and then you get the summer off to do with what you want. 0 clinical hours with patients, but you will start learning clinical skills on your classmates.

The second year its again (fall and spring semesters) and then you're given an option for the summer. You can take the whole summer off if you want to study for boards for August. Although, this does have a drawback, because you will be in clinic all the time in your third year. Option 2 (what most people do) is you can be in clinic 4 or 8 hours (equivalent to one half day or one full day of clinic) one day a week. That's all, and it takes off 4 hours per semester (4 for both if you pick to spend 8 hours in the clinic for the summertime) in the third year of clinical time. This is really nice since you're swamped your third year with class room work.

Third year its again (fall and spring semester classes), your in clinic 8-12 hours a semester depending on how you chose to set up the second summer. The third summer your into your "official" fourth year and your in clinic full time 5 days a week.

So mostly you have the first summer off completely.
Second summer off completely or 4 or 8 hours of clinic time a week, whatever you want.
Third summer your full steam 5 complete days a week.
Fourth summer, well you should have graduated by now.

Hope this helps.

 

[Canadian26]

I had a quick question for you guys. I interviewed with Dr. Bennett and another lady that I cant member her name. The interview went very good, and Dr. Bennett informed me at the end of the interview that I should be recieving an letter of acceptance from UMSL. He said I should be getting it soon after the comittee meets (like next monday), and his recconmendation is definatly going to be for acceptance. The only reason he has to take it to comitee is because im in 3rd year.

I just wanted to know what are the chances that the committee will reject me, after the other two told me that I should be accepted? Im just wry'd until I have an actual letter sent to me.

 

[Ryan_eyeball]

I had a quick question for you guys. I interviewed with Dr. Bennett and another lady that I cant member her name. The interview went very good, and Dr. Bennett informed me at the end of the interview that I should be recieving an letter of acceptance from UMSL. He said I should be getting it soon after the comittee meets (like next monday), and his recconmendation is definatly going to be for acceptance. The only reason he has to take it to comitee is because im in 3rd year.

I just wanted to know what are the chances that the committee will reject me, after the other two told me that I should be accepted? Im just wry'd until I have an actual letter sent to me.

I'm a 4th year, if Dr. Bennett told you that, you're IN!!! Enjoy, kick back and relax