UMSL interview

[clutzie16]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello everyone,

I got my interview to UMSL. I am surprised as to how nervous I actually am, to be going to this interview next friday. I was wondering if anyone has interviewed there, and can give me some feeback as to how the interview process goes. I actually am not quiet sure as to why i got this interview because looking at their profile, i dont really fit the mold. Nonetheless, i was wondering if anyone has any advice and remembers any of the questions they are asked, although i know that they are all individual based.
Also, a few of my general questions are, is the school far form the airport? i'm not quiet sure where to stay hotel wise. Did anyone bring a guest? They asked me when i called to schedule the interview, and i told them i would bring a guest. I'm not quiet sure if this is appropriate, but since they gave me the opportunity i took it.
I hope that the interview is not too stressful , because i am not quiet sure how to approach it, other than being myself.

thanks a lot everyone for your time in replying.

Good Luck!!

Julie

 

[4Eyes]

I was wondering if anyone has interviewed there, and can give me some feeback as to how the interview process goes. (...)

Assuming it hasn't changed much since I interviewed (I'm a 3rd year), it goes something like this.

You go in and meet with Dr. Brown. She goes over your prerequisites with you and gives a short presentation. PAY ATTENTION to this presentation. It has the answers to many of your interview questions!

Next you meet the student ambassadors and have lunch (pizza if you're the only one interviewing that day, I think pizza + cookies if there are more of you). They will talk to you about the school, answer any questions you may have, and they will also ask you a few questions questions. The student ambassadors aren't interviewing you...they really are there to help...but they will be asked about their impressions of you. After you eat, the student ambassadors will take you on a tour of the school.

Next is the interview! One of the people interviewing is usually Dr. Bennett. He's a super nice guy. Two people conduct the interview though, and I think that 2nd person varies. Don't worry too much though...the one that liked to intimidate left for Waterloo! 😀 They ask pretty much standard interview questions, plus some of the things from Dr. Brown's presentation. They mostly want to know that you know what optometry is all about and that you are capable of having a professional conversation.

Also, a few of my general questions are, is the school far form the airport? i'm not quiet sure where to stay hotel wise.

The school is quite close to the airport. A 10-minute drive at most. We have learned to tune out the sound of airplanes roaring overhead in the middle of lecture. 🙂

If you call the school, they have some hotels they can recommend. I think they suggest the Drury Inn or the Pear Tree Inn near the airport. I think there's one other good one, but I can't remember. I stayed at the Drury. You get free breakfast there. 🙂

Did anyone bring a guest? They asked me when i called to schedule the interview, and i told them i would bring a guest. I'm not quiet sure if this is appropriate, but since they gave me the opportunity i took it.

My dad just dropped me off because I was worried how it would look having my dad there. I wanted to look independent. At the end of my interview, Dr. Bennett was like, "Your dad could have come along!", "I like to meet the parents," etc. So it wasn't a disadvantage not having him there, but it wouldn't have been a disadvantage if he had been there. No one interviewed with me, so I didn't realize at the time, but LOTS of people bring their parents/spouses. I see them all the time. If you do bring a guest, they get to eat lunch, go on the tour, etc. They just aren't there during the interview, of course.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[odforme]

I agree with the previous post entirely! This was the most relaxing interview I have been on so far. I stayed at the Comfort Inn, which was close and also had free breakfast. If you want to bring a guest, feel free, they were very welcome. Dr. Brown and Dr. Bennett were wonderful and made me feel really welcome.
Just curious-why don't you fit the profile?

 

[semopreod]

I hope you got the message i sent you about my interview experience but i would definitely agree that the interview process is very laid back. When i interviewed i had Dr. Brown and Dr. Wong and both were very personally and super nice people. Just stay calm and remember the things from the presentation by Dr. Brown.

 

[clutzie16]

Just curious-why don't you fit the profile?[/QUOTE]

I'd like to thank you guys a lot for post your replies to me both through the private messges and on the thread, i really appreciate everything you've written. What makes me nervous is after going on opted.org and looking up the 2006 student profile of UMSl, its strange to me that they are considering accepting me. I dont have a bad GPA, i would say my science is somewhere around a 3.4-3.5 with my new grades in. Their average for last year was a 3.44 i believe. Their AA and TS OAT scores were 324-326. My TS is 300 (i did well around 320-340 in everything except physics (270) and orgo (290) which brought me down), and my AA is 310. Thats around 15 or 20 points below their average. And most importantly, it says they although they dont require a bachelors degree they prefer it, and 100% of the students enrolled last year had one, i wont have my bachelors by fall '07. I have been in school for longer than 4 years, but took time off and had a few W's so thats why i wont have the bachelros. Ill have around 100 credits after the summer semester.

I know that i have a strong personal statement, and a lot of experience with outstanding recommendations, but i just feel that i wont be able to answer the questions they throw at me becasue i am so far off from their "ideal candidate".

this is basically why i feel that i dont fit their mold.

thanks for listening, sorry that took a while.

if you guys have any other ideas or advice ill take it with open arms.
Good luck to all those who have not yet chosen the school they want to attend!

Julie

 

[4Eyes]

Hey there,

The average OAT is just that...an average. There are people in our classes with 360s, 370s, 380s...so I'm sure there are a few 300s to balance them out! Some of them may have had some freakishly awesome GPAs, but I don't know. They are usually good about understanding that there is more to your abilities than a test score. But be prepared to explain some of your lower (below 300) scores. Same goes if there are any outlying grades on your transcript. It's possible they'll suggest you retake it, but that doesn't mean you'll never get in.

I'm in the 3rd year class now, and there are at least 3 in my class who didn't complete their bachelor degree before optometry school. One was on the 3+4 program here at UMSL, but one had only 2 years of undergrad at another university. Worst case scenario, they'll recommend you retake the OAT and complete your BS/BA and try again next year. Second-worst case scenario, they'll flag your application and see how your OAT improves with a second try.

That said, I really don't think they would invite you for an interview if they didn't think they would be interested in accepting you. Don't be afraid to brag on yourself a bit...that's so awkward for me, but it's the way of interviews. It's not really bragging since they really need to know the things you're good at, have experience in, etc. Things that set you apart. You know what they are. And be sure you have some questions prepared for them. Review the website tonight or tomorrow so you know the information that's readily available.

I'm sure it goes without saying, but don't let your doubts come through when you go for your interview...to Dr. Brown, the student ambassadors, or anyone else. Be confident!

Feel free to PM me anytime if there's anything you don't want to ask here! Best of luck!