Western Interview Concern

[Dani91]

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Hi everyone, so I was recently offered an interview at Western and I have a date scheduled for now. However, I am a bit concerned because I was told by the school that the class is full. Which means I would be going to this interview with a best outcome of being placed on the alternate list for the Fall 2015 class. I don't want to miss out on this opportunity because the school did say they accept many students off of their alternate list, but I'm not positive on what my chances would be. Would you guys have any advice for me about this?

Also, if anyone has interviewed at Western, I would appreciate knowing how the day goes and what you thought of the interview.

Thanks 🙂

 

[tkuhug]

If this is one of your top choices then I would go! i know I would probably stay in southern california if I could.

but if you have another school you really like also and have already put down your deposit then maybe reconsider. It's always best to keep all your options wide open so that you can make the best decision in the end based which school YOU want to pick!

 

[Dani91]

Western is definitely one of my top choices so I'll be going to the interview 🙂 So far I've just been interviewing still/on a couple waiting lists so I'm still open to possibilities. Thanks for your help!!

 

[Dani91]

Hey guys to I have my plane tickets and interview all set up, but does anyone have advice on a good hotel to stay at? I want something that's in between ONT airport and the school if possible. Or are there any places you would recommend? It would be nice if there was an airport shuttle!

 

[eyeamthedr]

Motel 6 in Pomona is less than 5 mins from Western. It was quiet, comfortable, and affordable. And being so close, it definitely helped take off some of the anxiety since you don't have to worry about traffic and being late or waking up super early to commute out there.

 

[Dani91]

Thanks for the suggestion eyeamthedr, I ended up booking a room at the Holiday Inn near the airport!

Can anyone tell me if Uber is available in the area surrounding Western? I wanted to take an Uber from my hotel to the school and then back to save a little money rather than taking a cab!

 

[Chillin like a melon]

Thanks for the suggestion eyeamthedr, I ended up booking a room at the Holiday Inn near the airport!

Can anyone tell me if Uber is available in the area surrounding Western? I wanted to take an Uber from my hotel to the school and then back to save a little money rather than taking a cab!

Were you in 4/26 or 5/1 interview?

 

[optsuker]

As applicants get accepted by Berkeley, spots will open up @ SCCO. & when SCCO accepts some of their waitlist, more spots will open up @ Western (for those who shouldn't have gotten in anywhere).

 

[Dani91]

As applicants get accepted by Berkeley, spots will open up @ SCCO. & when SCCO accepts some of their waitlist, more spots will open up @ Western (for those who shouldn't have gotten in anywhere).

Thank you for the information! May I ask, what do you mean by "for those who shouldn't have gotten in anywhere?" I have already been accepted into a couple schools and am on the wait-list for a couple others. I was extended one of the later date interviews at Western because I decided to send in a last minute application just in case. Is Western not considered a good school?

 

[optsuker]

Thank you for the information! May I ask, what do you mean by "for those who shouldn't have gotten in anywhere?" I have already been accepted into a couple schools and am on the wait-list for a couple others. I was extended one of the later date interviews at Western because I decided to send in a last minute application just in case. Is Western not considered a good school?

IMO (and a LOT of other OD's opinion), Western & the other schools should have never been opened. There is already a projected surplus of OD's and hundreds more coming out is going to degrade the quality of life for all optometrists.
GPA/OAT states confirm that they are not as good of programs.

If you're already accepted at an established school, I think you're crazy to consider going to one of the new start-ups.
It's the "safety" school for most and whether fair or not, you'll be lumped in with the rest, in that many view it as the bottom-of-the-barrel applicants that go there or to Puerto Rico as a last option.
Don't be surprised when its time to job hunt, that you find a bias against those with a degree from these programs.

 

[Dani91]

IMO (and a LOT of other OD's opinion), Western & the other schools should have never been opened. There is already a projected surplus of OD's and hundreds more coming out is going to degrade the quality of life for all optometrists.
GPA/OAT states confirm that they are not as good of programs.

If you're already accepted at an established school, I think you're crazy to consider going to one of the new start-ups.
It's the "safety" school for most and whether fair or not, you'll be lumped in with the rest, in that many view it as the bottom-of-the-barrel applicants that go there or to Puerto Rico as a last option.
Don't be surprised when its time to job hunt, that you find a bias against those with a degree from these programs.

Oh wow, I was not aware that there was that much of a bias against certain schools. I could understand the stigma against Puerto Rico, but I assumed schools in the U.S. wouldn't carry that weight. Especially since Western does have all it's other programs that seem to be in better standing in comparison with their optometry program. In any case, thank you for letting me know 🙂 I'll definitely be sticking to the more established schools I have been accepted to!

 

[tkuhug]

Western just graduated their first class last year. Check how long each school is established, class size if that matters to you, and also check out their clinics.

 

[ac12345]

I have worked and shadowed at various practices. All the doctors I have come in contact with say it ultimately doesn't matter where you attend. They will all prepare you to pass your boards, each school just has a different atmosphere. I know someone who graduated from Western and had no trouble finding a job at a great practice. I think the main factors that you should take into account when making your decision is how comfortable you feel and the cost.

 

[Dani91]

Thank you both for the input!! Seems like it mostly depends on the student and how hard they work no matter the institution. I appreciate the help and I'll be sure to keep it all in mind when I decide where I want to attend 🙂

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

I have worked and shadowed at various practices. All the doctors I have come in contact with say it ultimately doesn't matter where you attend. They will all prepare you to pass your boards, each school just has a different atmosphere. I know someone who graduated from Western and had no trouble finding a job at a great practice. I think the main factors that you should take into account when making your decision is how comfortable you feel and the cost.

You can use anecdotal evidence all you want, but the general consensus of practicing ODs is that the new schools were an un-welcomed addition to our profession

 

[Chillin like a melon]

You can use anecdotal evidence all you want, but the general consensus of practicing ODs is that the new schools were an un-welcomed addition to our profession

I have worked with a lot of optometrist that are all about growing this field and making it more respectable health field. They have nothing bad to say about more optometry schools and or more optometrist graduating every year. These are some of the most successful doctors I am talking about. They love their colleagues and they work together with other optometrists and ophthalmologists to care for their patient. Those that are hating new graduates and are thinking that its not ok that new schools are building up, are not secure about their skills as optometrist and as a business person. There are states that are in need of optometrist. If you have hard time to find a job or California is too saturated for you, you can move to other states that have high need for optometrist. I find those optometrist who worry about the new graduates to be unaccomplished and selfish, and thats not what the field of optometry is about. For new graduates and pre-optometry students, If you love this field don't worry about anything cause you hold the control to your success.

 

[optsuker]

I have worked with a lot of optometrist that are all about growing this field and making it more respectable health field. They have nothing bad to say about more optometry schools and or more optometrist graduating every year. These are some of the most successful doctors I am talking about. They love their colleagues and they work together with other optometrists and ophthalmologists to care for their patient. Those that are hating new graduates and are thinking that its not ok that new schools are building up, are not secure about their skills as optometrist and as a business person. There are states that are in need of optometrist. If you have hard time to find a job or California is too saturated for you, you can move to other states that have high need for optometrist. I find those optometrist who worry about the new graduates to be unaccomplished and selfish, and thats not what the field of optometry is about. For new graduates and pre-optometry students, If you love this field don't worry about anything cause you hold the control to your success.

Lots of feel good fluff, but it will take more than loving this field to succeed.
I own 2 locations, employ 3 OD's, & do really well. Still love my job & patients.
The likelihood of a new grad getting to where I am is exponentially more difficult now.
The ones who should dislike the new grads of these new schools the most ARE THE OTHER NEW GRADS!
They are the reason the job market is saturated, income is flat, and you're going to be working nights & weekends.

 

[iiii]

Just finished my 3rd year & having been going to state/local association meeting for the last 2 years to network.

A large number of the docs I talked to are very down on the new schools & many have stated they would not hire a grad.

 

[Dani91]

So I have a favor to ask of, can anyone list out which schools are considered the newer ones? I would like to know before making a decision if there is something I am missing in regard to the information I have about the schools I am looking at. Thank you!

 

[thisguy88]

So I have a favor to ask of, can anyone list out which schools are considered the newer ones? I would like to know before making a decision if there is something I am missing in regard to the information I have about the schools I am looking at. Thank you!

MCPHS
WESTERN
UIWRSO (the one in San Antonio)
AZCOPT

I'm pretty sure those are the newest (in no particular order).