The optometry schools below interview by invitation, and the format varies: a virtual interview with a student and a faculty member, a 30-minute interview with two school representatives, or an open-file interview on campus. Interviews run from about September to April or May. Here is what named OD programs say about their interviews and how to prepare.
From optometry schools’ own admissions pagesFall 2027 entryChecked October 28, 2026
Practice with a mock interviewOne-on-one on Zoom with Julie Cunningham, MA, CCC-SLP.
Jump to:Formats by schoolWhat they look forQuestionsTimingHow to prepareFAQ
Interview formats by school
These come from each school’s own admissions page for Fall 2027 entry. Check the page for every school that invites you.
| School | Format | What their page says |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific University | Online, about 30 minutes, two interviewers | “The interview is approximately 30 minutes with two representatives from the College of Optometry.” “Interviews: September 2026-April 2027.” Source |
| UC Berkeley | Virtual, a student and a faculty member | “Applicants will be contacted by our Admissions Office to set up an interview time with a current student and faculty.” “These interviews are held in a virtual format.” Source |
| New England College of Optometry | Virtual or in person, 30 to 45 minutes | “The interview day consists of a welcome program, a 30- to 45-minute interview with a faculty member, a student panel, a tour, and a clinic overview.” Source |
| Southern California College of Optometry (Ketchum) | Open file, in person | “SCCO conducts ‘open-file’ interviews, so interviewers prepare by reviewing your entire application.” In person September to April, with a virtual day in February for those who qualify. Source |
| Western University of Health Sciences | By invitation, September to May | “Selected candidates will be invited via email for an interview.” Source |
At SCCO, your CV “will be printed for your interviewer to have in front of them during your interview” (SCCO), so expect questions about anything on it.
What optometry schools are looking for
“In the interview, consideration is given to knowledge of the profession, motivation toward a career in optometry, ability to think clearly and logically, poise, self-confidence, warmth and verbal expression of ideas.”Pacific University College of Optometry
NECO says “The Admissions Committee looks for faculty interview recommendations to assess your clinical potential and fit for the Doctor of Optometry program” (NECO). Berkeley lists “interview performance” in its holistic review alongside grades, test scores, letters, and “assessment of suitability for performing clinical work” (Berkeley).
Optometry interview questions to practice
These schools don’t publish interview questions. Based on what they say they assess (knowledge of the profession, motivation, clear thinking, warmth), practice these out loud. They are my practice prompts, not questions any school has published:
- Why optometry, and not ophthalmology or another health career?
- What did you learn while shadowing an optometrist?
- What does an optometrist do that most people don’t know about?
- Where do you see optometry going in the next ten years?
- Tell me about a time you helped someone who was frustrated or scared.
- Tell me about a challenge in your coursework and how you handled it.
- Why our school?
Your interviewers may have your application in front of them, so reread your own OptomCAS personal statement before the interview. If you haven't submitted yet, see our OptomCAS personal statement examples, or work with Lauren Hammond, PhD, our personal statement editor.
Timing and deadlines
- Berkeley: priority deadline August 21, 2026, and general deadline December 12, 2026. “Invitations to interview will be released 2 weeks after a decision deadline,” and you have “one week from the date of notification to accept the invitation” (Berkeley).
- Pacific: final OptomCAS deadline March 1, 2027; interviews September 2026 to April 2027 (Pacific).
- NECO: priority deadline March 31, 2027. After an interview, “you will be notified of your admissions decision within 2-3 weeks” (NECO).
- SCCO: applications through March 15, 2027, and test scores must arrive before you can be interviewed (SCCO).
SCCO says it interviews “as part of our rolling admissions process,” so applying early can mean an earlier interview there.
How to prepare
- Know the profession. Pacific scores “knowledge of the profession.” Be ready to talk about scope of practice, settings, and what you saw while shadowing.
- Have a clear “why optometry.” Build it from a specific patient, optometrist, or experience.
- Reread your application. At an open-file school like SCCO, everything in it is fair game.
- Prepare five or six stories: teamwork, a challenge, helping someone, a mistake, and leadership.
- Prepare questions for students on the panel or tour about clinic, boards, and student life.
- Do a mock interview, on video if your interview is virtual.
If your interview is virtual, see Zoom interview tips from Julie Cunningham, a licensed speech-language pathologist.
Practice with a real interviewer before the real one. My wife, Julie Cunningham, MA, CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist who runs mock interviews on Zoom for optometry school applicants. She coaches every format: one-on-one, panel, MMI, and recorded video interviews such as Kira Talent. She works on how your answers come across: clear key words, pace, voice, filler words, organizing an answer so it has a point, staying steady when you're nervous, and how you look and sound on camera. It's $250 an hour.
Frequently asked questions
Do optometry schools interview applicants?
The schools on this page do, by invitation. Pacific, Berkeley, NECO, SCCO, and Western University all interview selected applicants before admission.
How long is an optometry school interview?
Pacific’s is about 30 minutes with two representatives. NECO’s faculty interview is 30 to 45 minutes as part of a longer interview day.
Are optometry interviews virtual?
Some are. Berkeley and Pacific interview online, NECO offers virtual or in person, and SCCO prefers in person with a virtual day in February for those who qualify.
What do optometry schools look for in an interview?
Pacific says it considers knowledge of the profession, motivation toward optometry, the ability to think clearly and logically, poise, self-confidence, warmth, and verbal expression of ideas.
When are optometry school interviews?
From about September to April or May. Pacific interviews from September 2026 to April 2027, and Western University from September to May.
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Every format and quotation on this page comes from the school’s own admissions page, linked where it appears. Last checked October 28, 2026.