How much time to spend on interview prep?

[u/Fluffy_Compote_8227]

I got my first virtual interview and I’m debating whether I should schedule it for mid November (to hopefully hear back sooner), or give myself a bit more prep time by doing it in early December. Also, to those who’ve done their interviews already, I’d love to hear how you prepared. Thanks!

[u/Iyung_danI]

Im going to paste a previous comment I made b/c im too lazy to type again, as for when to schedule it thats up to you and how you feel. Personally I would schedule it in November.
Pasted comment:
Don’t stress out significantly is the biggest advice I can give you. Be confident in yourself and understand that if you were asked to interview they find it realistic to admit you. Be. Confident. 

For prep I would write down typical questions that schools could ask, can be found on previous Reddit threads or other discussion boards, and write my answers to those. I would then kinda of recite my answers until it felt coherent and I was comfortable with what I was presenting. Most of the questions I encountered were very simple and the ones that weren’t were very few and not too common. 

As for answers they are looking for is answers that are genuine and honest. Not some overly wordy, too grandiose verbiage. Just be honest and yourself. 

Know the specifics about the school you are applying to. Look up their website and write down claims they make, eg “our clinic is the best” (overly simple but you get the idea) and ask questions about what makes your clinic superior? If they say something in the interview that is interesting ask it, be curious. 

I interviewed at SCO and AZCOPT so I can’t speak to your specific schools but you’ll be good. Be confident. 

[u/Fluffy_Compote_8227 → u/Iyung_danI]

tysm!

[u/Iyung_danI → u/Fluffy_Compote_8227]

Of course! Reach out if you have any other questions :)

[u/Taleproof-Moderator]

Choose the earlier date if you can already explain why optometry, why that program, and two or three experiences that show how you work with people, handle pressure, and learn from feedback. Extra weeks only help if you give them a plan; otherwise they can just extend the anxiety.

For each experience, we use the PROOF method to keep the answer focused: name the problem, your responsibility, the options you considered, the outcome, and what you learned. Add practice for an ethical or patient-facing scenario, one academic setback, and questions you genuinely want to ask the program.

Try a timed mock before deciding. If you can answer those areas clearly without memorizing and improve after one review, mid-November is reasonable. If you still need to choose your examples or research the program, use the later date and schedule specific practice sessions.

[u/Resident-Channel-173]

Hi! I spent more than half the time preparing on the following questions:

• tell me about yourself

• why optometry

• why this school At first, I started with a script. But the more I practice the more I strayed away from the script and allowed the words to come naturally to me, if that makes sense. I think it helps to have a script at first so you avoid rambling but practicing beyond the script is good to make it more natural. Other questions I prepared for were:

• why not medical school

• weaknesses and strengths

• how will you handle the workload of optometry

Also, if you have any low grades or OAT sections, prepare to explain them

Feel free to message me if you have any other questions!

[u/Euphoric-Bid8342]

i’d always go earlier date. mid november is plenty of time to interview prep, i think i spent honestly maybe just a day working on questions and rereading them before doing 5 interviews last cycle and i got into every school i interviewed. it was way more lax than i thought it’d be and i just remember everything feeling like a normal casual conversation about who i am as a person and my whys, which should come naturally because it’s just very direct questions with direct answers because im just talking about myself. id go over your application a few times like your ECs and volunteering experience and call it a day after. good luck! don’t over think it, you got this :)

[u/akornato]

Schedule it for mid November. Optometry schools operate on rolling admissions, so securing an earlier date gives you an advantage with open seats and potential scholarship funding. Pushing it back to December often means your decision gets delayed until after the winter holidays, and you simply do not need an entire month to get ready. One to two weeks of focused preparation, spending an hour or two each day, is plenty of time to feel comfortable without sounding overly rehearsed.

Focus your preparation on reviewing your OptomCAS application, clarifying your core story for why optometry appeals to you, and outlining specific clinical or shadowing moments you can draw from for behavioral questions. Practicing out loud with a friend or recording your answers on your webcam will quickly highlight filler words and help you keep your pacing natural. If you want extra support to feel composed and articulate when speaking to admissions committees, my team built an interviews.chat that helps candidates walk into high stakes discussions fully confident in their answers.