Interview expectations and experiences of optometry applicants and interviewers

This 1996 study examined the admission interview employed at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry (UWSO). A questionnaire was developed, piloted, and mailed to 157 UWSO applicants and 23 UWSO interviewers. Their expectations of an ideal optometry admission interview were compared with their experiences of the UWSO admission interview. The response rate was 71.7% (n = 129; 109 applicants, 20 interviewers). Statistical analysis involved principle component analysis and t-tests (independent and paired). Participants believed the ideal optometry admission interview should gather information, verify information, provide information, and select candidates by appraising their 'people skills,' 'professional skills,' and 'attitude orientation.' Although the participants' expectations of the ideal interview resembled the mission statement of the UWSO interview, the expectations, particularly among applicants, significantly deviated from their experiences of the UWSO interview.