My Interview Day Experience

My journey from Toronto to Chicago was a smooth and enjoyable experience. I flew in a day early before my interview, which allowed me to spend the entire weekend exploring the city and visiting family members who live in Chicago. My parents accompanied me, and we stayed at a hotel in the South Loop, which was ideal since I was considering living off campus in that area. The South Loop is a nearby neighborhood to the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), and our hotel was only a quick five-minute drive from campus—a convenient distance in case I needed to travel back and forth.

ICO also offers candidates the option to stay in the Residential Complex (RC) on interview day, which helps save on hotel costs and transportation. Staying in the RC is a great opportunity to experience on-campus housing if you’re considering living there during your first year at ICO.

Welcome

I arrived on campus about 10 minutes before my interview day began, where I was greeted by the security guard and handed a name tag with my name and hometown. I waited at the front with other interviewees and their families until it was time to head to the welcome center and begin the day’s events.

At the welcome center, we were provided with snacks, a light beverage and a program outlining the schedule for the day.

Candidate File Review

The first part of the day involved reviewing individual application files to ensure that no important documents were missing. I was called back to meet with a member of the admissions team who went through my application with me. Fortunately, my file was complete. For applicants with missing items, the admissions team provides guidance on what’s needed, and the steps required to submit those documents successfully. After my brief meeting, I returned to the welcome center to wait while other interviewees finished their reviews.

Financial Aid

After the file review, we met with Lauren Brooks, the financial aid representative. At the start of the meeting, Brooks handed out a pamphlet detailing the cost of attendance, various scholarship amounts and information on eligibility and steps for applying for federal aid.

The pamphlet was incredibly helpful, it allowed me to focus on listening rather than jotting down numbers, and it served as a guide for planning my expenses and starting a budget for life in Chicago. While the federal aid information wasn’t directly relevant to me as a Canadian student, I appreciated the thorough and detailed explanation Brooks provided, along with step-by-step instructions for U.S. students navigating the application process.

Career Development

During our discussion, we explored various paths to plan for a future career after optometry school, including owning a private practice, working in corporate settings and pursuing residency opportunities. I found this information especially useful, as most schools don’t often discuss career planning during interviews. ICO, however, strongly emphasized this aspect.

They highlighted that ICO is the oldest optometry school in the country, which has allowed it to cultivate a large alumni network: an invaluable resource for job searching and mentorship opportunities nationwide. Additionally, the discussion included potential pathways for Canadian students who wish to return home to begin their careers. This was particularly helpful given ICO’s substantial Canadian student population, and it provided valuable insights for those of us still deciding whether to stay in the U.S. or return to Canada.

One-on-One Interview

Next, ICO faculty members met with us for one-on-one interviews. My interview was with Dr. Goodfellow, held in his office, and the process was smooth and conversational. He was friendly and approachable, focusing on getting to know me beyond what was included in my application file.

Much of the conversation revolved around my two-year break after completing my undergraduate studies. He asked how I spent that time, whether I focused on personal growth and how I believed the experience would contribute to my development as a future doctor. We also connected over our shared love of television and discussed some of our favorite shows.

The one-on-one interview is an excellent opportunity to highlight any unique aspects of your application. I was able to share my primary motivation for choosing optometry, including my personal experiences with glaucoma and witnessing the challenges close family members faced with the disease. This deeply personal connection has driven me to become an advocate and voice for Africans now and in the future.

Overall, just be yourself in the interview. It’s about sharing your passion for optometry. Be ready to explain any gaps in your academic record and clearly articulate why you want to become an optometrist.

Campus Tour

The tour was one of my favorite parts of the interview day. A current first-year student led us around campus, showing us the clinic, the main building and the residence complex.

This was my first time seeing the ICO facilities, and I was amazed by the clinical labs and advanced equipment we would be using. The ICO clinic is conveniently located nearby, just a short walk from the main campus, which will be especially helpful during colder weather.

Lunch With ICO Students

After the tour, we had lunch with current students, including a mix of first and second years. This student panel was a fantastic feature, as it allowed us to ask questions and get honest feedback from the student perspective.

It was incredibly valuable to hear how they felt about the curriculum, the challenges they faced in adjusting to their schedules and what their favorite experiences at ICO had been so far. They also shared their favorite post-exam rituals, which added a fun, personal touch. After speaking with the current students, I felt completely sold on attending ICO.

Wrap-Up

After lunch, we reconvened with the admissions team, who set clear expectations and outlined when we could expect to hear back. They also welcomed any additional questions we had.

Overall, my interview day at ICO was an extraordinary experience. From the moment I walked into the building, I felt a warm and welcoming atmosphere from the admissions team, faculty and students. Throughout the day, I felt genuinely heard by everyone I met, and each conversation left me feeling hopeful and encouraged. I left ICO feeling excited and overjoyed about the possibility of joining their community and beginning my journey to become an optometrist.

Remember, interview day is a two-way exchange; ICO is learning about the incredible future optometrist you are, and you’re also getting to know ICO to see if it’s the right place for you to thrive: a place you can call home for the next four years as you prepare to become the best optometrist you can be.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my experience at ICO. I hope my journey provides some insight and encouragement for those considering their own path in optometry.

Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors, I look forward to sharing more updates soon!

Warm regards,

Demilade Odunsi ’28