Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University Interview Practice Questions

Tell me about yourself.

Why optometry?

Why Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University?

What challenges do you anticipate in this school?

What would you do if Medicare reimbursement is so low your practice loses money on these patients?

What clinical experiences have you had?

Is the current Illinois telehealth consent framework adequate for optometry services, or should the state implement more specific informed consent requirements for remote eye care

What attracted you specifically to Chicago College of Optometry at Midwestern University over other optometry programs?

Is Illinois's requirement that distant site telemedicine providers must be licensed either in Illinois or in the state where the patient is located an appropriate standard for optometry care

What are you reading right now?

If you could have dinner with anyone, who and why?

Tell me about your research.

How would you explain out-of-network costs to a long-time patient upset about insurance restrictions?

How does our integrated curriculum combining basic sciences with early clinical exposure align with your learning preferences?

Do optometrists have an ethical obligation to inform patients about all vision correction options, including less expensive alternatives?

Why did you choose your undergraduate institution?

Should Illinois expand Medicaid reimbursement for teleoptometry services beyond the current coverage to include routine eye exams via remote consultation

What was one personally touching volunteer experience you had?

If you could choose one superpower what would it be?

What aspects of Midwestern University's mission to prepare health professionals through innovative curricula resonate most with you?

What would you do if you suspect a patient is experiencing domestic abuse based on their eye injury?

What specialty are you interested in?

What are optometrists' ethical obligations when patients request treatments primarily for cosmetic reasons that carry health risks?

Tell me about a time you failed.

Should Illinois allow optometrists to delegate more administrative tasks to certified pharmacy technicians working in eye care settings under the state's new 2024 supervision requirements

How would you contribute to the collaborative learning environment at our Downers Grove campus?

Teach me something.

How do you work in groups?

How would you handle a situation where a child needs glasses but the family cannot afford them?

What was your most challenging experience?

Is it ethically acceptable for optometrists to recommend premium products and services knowing many patients will struggle to afford them?

What do you know about our emphasis on interprofessional education with other health science programs?

Should the US include comprehensive vision care in Medicare coverage for elderly Americans?

What do your parents do?

What is your favorite movie?

Tell me about a time you experienced a team conflict and how you resolved it.

What would you do if you detect serious pathology but the patient refuses referral to an ophthalmologist?

How does our focus on evidence-based practice and research align with your career goals?

What are optometrists' ethical obligations when they own or have financial interests in optical laboratories or retail eyewear companies?

How would you keep yourself up-to-date on optometry education once you begin practicing?

Should there be stronger federal regulations on vision insurance plans to ensure adequate coverage and affordability?

Tell me about a time you changed your mind after learning new information.

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?

What interests you about our clinical training opportunities at the Midwestern University Eye Institute?

What would you do if an elderly patient's vision makes them unsafe to drive?

What is one thing you want to highlight about your application?

Is it ethically problematic for optometrists to work in different practice settings that may create varying standards of care based on patient payment ability?

Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a teammate, supervisor, or friend.

Should the US expand public vision care services and fund vision therapy programs to address access issues in underserved communities?

How would living and studying in the Chicago metropolitan area support your educational and professional development?

What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?

What is your worst habit?

What would you do if you discover your practice is substituting lower-quality lenses while charging premium prices?

Tell me about a time you had to advocate for someone who wasn’t being heard.

Is healthcare a right or a privilege?

What do you know about our commitment to community service and how would you participate?

Should there be federal regulations preventing optometrists from having ownership interests in optical laboratories or eyewear retailers?

How would your friends describe you?

If your life were a movie, what would the theme?

Tell me about a time when you were impacted by miscommunication.

What would you do if you caught a classmate cheating?

How does our four-year Doctor of Optometry curriculum structure match your academic preparation and timeline?

What controversial healthcare topic are you passionate about?

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Should the federal government provide loan forgiveness or financial incentives for optometrists who practice in rural and underserved areas?

Tell me about a time you exhibited leadership.

If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?

What do you think makes our program unique?

What do you do if a colleague has a substance abuse problem?

How do you handle failure?

Should healthcare institutions implement mandatory unconscious bias training for all staff and students?

Describe a situation where you made a mistake that affected others. What did you do?

What is the biggest problem in healthcare today?

How do you relate to our mission?

If you were a fruit, which one would you be and why?

Where do you plan to practice?

What would you do if someone in a group project falsified data?

Tell me about a time when you had to explain a complex scientific concept to someone without a science background. How did you approach it?

Should patients have the right to request a healthcare provider of a specific gender, race, or cultural background?

What are Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University's values?

How would you fix the healthcare system?

What are your values?

How many golf balls fit in an airplane?

Describe a situation where you had to navigate cultural differences in a team or work environment.

What would you do if a group member isn't doing their part?

Why do you want to go to school in Downers Grove?

What do you think about stem cell research?

What negative feedback have you received?

Do you think pharmaceutical companies should be allowed to advertise drugs to consumers?

Describe a time when you identified an unfair policy or practice and took action to address it.

What would you do if a patient refused treatment?

What ethical issues do you think will impact you as a healthcare professional?

Who should receive an organ transplant: a convicted felon or an uninsured mother?

Describe a time you had to respect someone's autonomy even when you disagreed with their choice

What are your thoughts on the role of private vs. public healthcare?

What does “success” look like to you?

What would you do if a patient's family requests you not tell the patient about their diagnosis?

Tell me about a time when you recognized a personal limitation or weakness that was affecting your performance. What did you do about it?

Do you think it's ever ethical to lie to a patient?

Do you consider yourself culturally competent?

Do you believe diversity is important in a healthcare setting? Why or why not?

Describe a moment when you connected with someone who was going through a difficult time.

What would you do if a coworker is taking credit for your work on a group project.

How willl you contribute to the diversity of our school?

As AI becomes better at diagnosis than human doctors, should we rely more on AI decision-making?

Describe a situation where you had to maintain professionalism under difficult or frustrating circumstances.

What role should technology and AI play in the future of healthcare?

How do you handle stress?

What would you do if a team member isn’t contributing on a group project?

What is an ethical dilemma you have faced?

Should people with unhealthy lifestyles (e.g., smokers, heavy drinkers) have reduced access to certain treatments?

What are your strengths?

Should healthcare professionals be required to receive certain vaccinations?

Walk me through a period when you were overwhelmed with responsibilities. How did you use to get through it?

What would you do if a colleague comes to work smelling of alcohol?

What are your weaknesses?

Can compassion be taught?

What was the most difficult decision you have ever had to make?

What would you do if a teenager confides they're being abused at home but begs you not to tell anyone?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Should healthcare workers strike if working conditions are unsafe for them or their patients?

What community service activities have you done?

What would you do if your employer forced you to work over Thanksgiving weekend, interfering with your family plans?

What do you do for fun?

Should students from disadvantaged backgrounds receive preferential admission to health professions programs?

Describe a time working with someone you did not like.

What would you do if a colleague of yours made a mistake and doesn't want to tell the patient?

Tell me about a skill or knowledge area where you've shown significant improvement over time. What was your learning process?

You're at a party and a friend insists on driving herself home, even though she has been drinking. What do you do?

What do you think are important qualities for a healthcare professional?

While volunteering at a community center, a family refuses to vaccinate their children due to religious beliefs. The father quietly tells you he disagrees but fears community backlash if he consents. What do you do?

What are three words people who know you would use to describe you?

You’re working in a research lab when you discover that your supervisor has failed to report a conflict of interest—he’s consulting for the company funding the study. You depend on him for a strong reference for grad school. What do you do?

Who is your role model?

A colleague you respect makes a dismissive comment toward a patient from a marginalized background. You know confronting them could damage your working relationship. What do you do?

What is your biggest regret?

A grateful patient leaves a $100 gift card and a thank-you note at the front desk addressed specifically to you. What do you do?

What makes you special?

You’re walking out of a coffee shop when you notice someone drop their wallet. You pick it up and realize there’s a large amount of cash inside, but no ID. You also notice the person quickly leaving in a taxi before you can call out. What do you do?

What is your biggest fear?

Your roommate confides in you that they have been struggling with depression and occasionally use prescription medication that was not prescribed to them. They ask you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

Tell me about your lowest grade.

You’re catching a ride home from a friend who begins texting while driving. When you ask them to stop, they brush you off and say, “Relax, I do this all the time.” How do you respond?

What is one of your strengths in a leadership role?

A close friend in your study group admits they copied answers from another student on a recent exam but asks you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

What is your learning style?

You see a friend post misleading health information on social media that’s getting lots of attention. How do you handle it?

How do you study?

You accidentally receive an email from your supervisor that contains private performance evaluations, including criticism of a close friend. Later that day, your friend mentions feeling anxious about whether management trusts them. What do you do?

How might the transition to this school affect you.

A patient you've been working with for months asks you out on a date. How do you handle this?

How will you handle burnout and being overwhelmed?

What will you do if you do not get into this school?