Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University Interview Practice Questions

Tell me about yourself.

Why optometry?

Why Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State 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 it ethical for optometrists to not offer the latest myopia control treatments if they're not yet FDA-approved but are used off-label?

What attracts you specifically to Michigan College of Optometry's competency-based curriculum model?

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

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 Ferris State University's emphasis on hands-on learning align with your educational preferences?

Is it ethical for optometrists to advocate for expanded surgical privileges when patient safety might be compromised without medical school training?

Why did you choose your undergraduate institution?

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

What was one personally touching volunteer experience you had?

If you could choose one superpower what would it be?

What aspects of Michigan College of Optometry's mission to serve underserved populations resonate with your career goals?

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

What specialty are you interested in?

Should optometrists in Michigan have an ethical obligation to see pediatric patients even if they lack specialized pediatric training?

Tell me about a time you failed.

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

How would you take advantage of the clinical opportunities at Ferris State University's on-campus eye care centers?

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 work reduced hours when patients are experiencing long wait times for care?

What draws you to studying optometry in the rural setting of Big Rapids, Michigan?

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

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 would you contribute to the collaborative learning environment that Michigan College of Optometry promotes?

Should Michigan optometrists be required to refer patients to ophthalmologists for any surgical needs, even minor procedures they could safely perform?

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

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 changed your mind after learning new information.

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?

What interests you about Ferris State University's integrated approach to basic science and clinical education?

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?

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

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

What is the biggest problem in healthcare today?

How does Michigan College of Optometry's focus on primary eye care align with your professional interests?

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.

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

What do you know about the clinical rotation opportunities available through Michigan College of Optometry's external partnerships?

How would you fix the healthcare system?

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 would living and studying in a smaller college town like Big Rapids impact your educational experience?

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

What is your greatest accomplishment?

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

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?

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

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

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

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?

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

What are Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University's values?

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

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 Big Rapids?

Is healthcare a right or a privilege?

What negative feedback have you received?

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

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?

What controversial healthcare topic are you passionate about?

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

Should healthcare professionals be required to receive certain vaccinations?

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?

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

Do you consider yourself culturally competent?

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

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

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

How willl you contribute to the diversity of our school?

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

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

What do you think about stem cell research?

How do you handle stress?

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

What is an ethical dilemma you have faced?

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

What are your strengths?

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

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

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

What are your weaknesses?

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

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

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

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

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

What community service activities have you done?

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

What do you do for fun?

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

Describe a time working with someone you did not like.

Can compassion be taught?

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

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 do you think are important qualities for a healthcare professional?

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

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?

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

What is your biggest regret?

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 makes you special?

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 is your biggest fear?

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?

Tell me about your lowest grade.

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?

What is one of your strengths in a leadership role?

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 your learning style?

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?

How do you study?

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

How might the transition to this school affect you.

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 will you handle burnout and being overwhelmed?

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

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