Optometry School Mock Interview

Practice 30 Optometry School interview questions covering clinical judgment, patient care philosophy, and your commitment to vision science.

Question 23 of 30

When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

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Nisha Yadav

Nisha Yadav is a Talent Advisor & People Specialist with a focus on global talent attraction. Her earlier career experience includes HR and recruitment roles where she specialized in contract and permanent IT recruitment opportunities.

Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. When you work in the medical field, those setbacks can be amplified. While attending university, even more so because your grades can greatly determine the success of your future career. Discuss with the interviewers how you typically cope with setbacks.

Nisha Yadav

"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing, and can be very disheartening, especially when involving a project that I have put a lot of time and effort into. I understand that setbacks happen often, and to everyone - despite their level of expertise or years of experience. If I experience a major setback I will take a few moments to internally debrief, get some fresh air if possible, or discuss what I could have done differently with a mentor. Then, I move on. Rather than dwell on my mistakes, I choose to learn from them."

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Jaymie

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Anonymous Answer

Having setbacks is never easy; it is disappointing, but I believe instead of being disheartened, I try to effectively take action to see either how I can prevent this happening in the future or how can I change this to overcome the obstacle. Learning from our mistakes is the only way we are to improve and progress.

Rachelle's Feedback

Learning from your mistakes is very important, and it's good that you see setbacks this way.

Anonymous Answer

I try to analyze what went wrong and try to focus on not making the same mistake again.

Rachelle's Feedback

This is a good start; however, be sure to analyze the full question and address all parts. In this instance, there is no mention of your emotional response to setbacks. I have offered a revision below.

"Setbacks can be disappointing and I am sometimes disheartened but only for a short time. I quickly move to analyze what went wrong and focus on repairing the situation so that I do not repeat the same mistake in the future."

Anonymous Answer

I make every effort not to let setbacks affect my work. While setbacks are disappointing I try not to dwell on them. Rather, I use them as a learning opportunity, I reflect on how I can learn from them, use them in the future and move on.

Marcie's Feedback

The interviewer will appreciate that you learn from any setbacks you experience. Can you talk about one in particular and explain what it taught you? Also, emphasize that you don't allow setbacks to negatively affect your emotions. Instead, tell the interviewer that you are resilient and capable of quickly bouncing back. Good job!

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30Optometry School Interview Questions & Answers

1.We want students who have a true passion for optometry. What appeals to you most, about working in the field of optometry?

2.It is important that our school exercises great discernment when choosing applicants. What is your plan if you are not accepted into our optometry program this year?

3.In your opinion, what is the most concerning topic facing optometry today?

4.Optometry school is expensive. Have you made a solid financial plan for tuition costs at our school, and beyond?

5.Tell us about your overall academic performance, so far. Where have you excelled, and where could you improve?

6.Why should our school accept you over another optometry student with the same qualifications?

7.What do you feel is the single most important quality an optometrist should possess?

8.We believe in the continual development of our students, both professionally and personally. What is your self-development plan?

9.Talk to us about your current GPA.

10.What questions do you have for us about our university?

11.What do you know about our university?

12.Tell us about an area of weakness that you would like to improve on while attending university.

13.What research did you conduct before choosing to apply to our school?

14.Tell us something that we would not know about you from reading your CV.

15.What achievement are you most proud of, so far, on your path to becoming an optometrist?

16.What are you reading right now?

17.What other schools of optometry have you applied to and where does our school rank?

18.Which optometry related newspapers, journals or publications do you read to stay in touch with new industry discoveries, and current events?

19.How does your family feel about you becoming an optometrist? Do you have a great deal of support?

20.How do you respond to feedback and criticism? Describe a situation where your work was criticized. What was your immediate reaction to the situation?

Optometry School Mock Interview

When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

30Optometry School Interview Questions & Answers

1.We want students who have a true passion for optometry. What appeals to you most, about working in the field of optometry?

2.It is important that our school exercises great discernment when choosing applicants. What is your plan if you are not accepted into our optometry program this year?

3.In your opinion, what is the most concerning topic facing optometry today?

4.Optometry school is expensive. Have you made a solid financial plan for tuition costs at our school, and beyond?

5.Tell us about your overall academic performance, so far. Where have you excelled, and where could you improve?

6.Why should our school accept you over another optometry student with the same qualifications?

7.What do you feel is the single most important quality an optometrist should possess?

8.We believe in the continual development of our students, both professionally and personally. What is your self-development plan?

9.Talk to us about your current GPA.

10.What questions do you have for us about our university?

11.What do you know about our university?

12.Tell us about an area of weakness that you would like to improve on while attending university.

13.What research did you conduct before choosing to apply to our school?

14.Tell us something that we would not know about you from reading your CV.

15.What achievement are you most proud of, so far, on your path to becoming an optometrist?

16.What are you reading right now?

17.What other schools of optometry have you applied to and where does our school rank?

18.Which optometry related newspapers, journals or publications do you read to stay in touch with new industry discoveries, and current events?

19.How does your family feel about you becoming an optometrist? Do you have a great deal of support?

20.How do you respond to feedback and criticism? Describe a situation where your work was criticized. What was your immediate reaction to the situation?

21.Who in your life mentors, or inspires you?

22.How well do you think you have performed in this interview today?

23.When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

24.Do you have aspirations to own your own practice in the future? What appeals to you about business ownership?

25.Why are you choosing optometry over other health care professions?

26.As an optometrist, how will you keep in touch with your community's needs?

27.What do you think will be your greatest challenge in completing optometry school?

28.Do you consider yourself a leader? When have you led a team?

29.Many optometrists have an area of specialty in which they work. What area of optometry interests you the most?

30.Your work load at our school will be high. How do you handle stress?