Transcript Successful Interview This presentation will answer for you: • What the interview day will be like. • What you might be asked. • When.

Successful Interview
This presentation will answer for you:
• What the interview day will be like.
• What you might be asked.
• When you will find out if you’ve been accepted.
Barb Brown, OD, FAAO
Director, Student Recruitment and Admissions
[email protected]
http://Optometry.umsl.edu
Successful Interview
What will your interview day be like?
Successful Interview
Arrive around 10:30 AM, if possible.
Meet first with an academic advisor.
Meet as a group to review the day.
Have lunch with our student ambassadors
and go on a tour.
Have a conversation with two faculty
members about your potential and your
questions.
Successful Interview
Some questions you might encounter…
–What an optometrist does?
–What is an optometrist?
–What is the difference between
optometry and ophthalmology?
–What do opticians do?
Successful Application to Optometry
– What is primary care?
– How has the practice of optometry changed in
the last 20-25 years?
– What drugs can an optometrist prescribe?
– What diseases do “we” treat in your state?
– What does it mean to be “state regulated”?
– Does he/she like the profession? What does
he/she like most? Like least?
Successful Application to Optometry
Spend at least one full day with an optometrist.
Do you like what the optometrist does?
Ask the optometrist to write you a letter of
recommendation.
Successful Application to Optometry
Who might be your interviewers?
You will have two faculty members of our
Admissions Committee. So, two of the
following:
Barb Brown, OD
[email protected]
Optometry.umsl.edu
Dr. Ed Bennett
Dr. Alex Harris
Dr. Kate Boland
Dr. Vinita Henry
Dr. Julie DeKinder
Dr. Linda Marks
Dr. Ralph Garzia
Dr. Erwin Wong
Dr. Ed Jarka
Dr. Angel Novel
Successful Application to Optometry
When will you find out if you are
admitted?
If you have two faculty members of our
Admissions Committee at your interview,
you may find out within a week. However,
if not, it may be a month, or two.
Barb Brown, OD
[email protected]
Optometry.umsl.edu
Successful Application to Optometry
Who might be your interviewers?
Feel free to check our
faculty member’s research
on our website
http://optometry.umsl.edu
Barb Brown, OD
[email protected]
Optometry.umsl.edu
Successful Application to Optometry
What about financial aid??
In general, nonresidents, after you
file your FAFSA form (in
January), you will be offered
~$52,000** less your EFC (from
FAFSA) less merit scholarship or
other scholarships.
Barb Brown, OD
[email protected]
Optometry.umsl.edu
Offers are not made until about July. All budgets and student need
are unique. This is presented for educational purposes, and not
intended as an offer of aid. **Residents, $38,500
Successful Application to Optometry
How much is tuition?
In broad terms, nonresidents will expect to
pay about $39,000/yr (externship year is
more, since you will have a summer);
residents about $17,000/yr. For a more exact
look at fees, see
http://www.umsl.edu/services/cashiers/fee_sch.htm
Be sure to select OPTOMETRY and
RESIDENT or NONRESIDENT (MO vs
not-MO).
Barb Brown, OD
[email protected]
Optometry.umsl.edu
Successful Application to Optometry
What about financial aid??
The federal government allows
you to live on ~$1,100/mo (total,
but not including education
related expenses).
Barb Brown, OD
[email protected]
Optometry.umsl.edu
We have housing options on
campus and a housing guide to
help you find something near by.
Successful Application to Optometry
What about financial aid??
Barb Brown, OD
[email protected]
Optometry.umsl.edu
Since the federal government feels
someone can live on $1,100/mo including
all utilities, transportation, rent, insurance,
etc., consider a secure, optometry-only
building for around $450/mo (including
utilities). Please ask to tour Optometry
Villa (Eye Live and Learn community)
when you are here. Married options are
available in optometry/graduate Villa
($700/mo including utilities) or apartments.
Successful Application to Optometry
Other Questions You Might Have
Please write them down and bring with
you for your interview, or email
Dr. Brown.
Barb Brown, OD
[email protected]
Optometry.umsl.edu
Successful Application to Optometry
How do you WOW your
interviewers?
Obviously…
have a 4.0 GPA and 400 OAT scores!
Barb Brown, OD
[email protected]
Optometry.umsl.edu
Successful Application to Optometry
What if…you don’t quite have that?
A multi-dimensional applicant has more
than numbers behind him or her!
Barb Brown, OD
[email protected]
Optometry.umsl.edu
Successful Application to Optometry
Top 15 Ways to WOW Interviewers
15. Express a passion for the profession
14. Demonstrate that you can balance multiple priorities
13. Show strong shadowing portfolio or that you’ve worked in an optometric office
12. Show strong leadership and initiative, but also that you can be team player.
11. Show strong ethical values and professional stature
10. Submit strong letters of recommendation
9. Show that you are well-acquainted with the admissions process at this program
8. Know strengths and fit of you to this institution
7. Demonstrate clear career goals
6. Apply early and to more than one school using appropriate deadlines
5. Communicate clearly and succinctly
4. Demonstrate mature decision making processes
3. Display thoughtful consideration of ethical issues
2. Exhibit ability to cope with obstacles and adversity
Barb Brown, OD
[email protected] 1. Show good self awareness – know areas of personal weakness
Optometry.umsl.edu
Successful Interviewing
[email protected]
314-516-6030
http://optometry.umsl.edu
Successful Application to Optometry
It begins with hard work…and ends with an acceptance to
optometry…
REV 2011-06