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  • Step 1: Minimum Eligibility Requirements Overview
  • Academic Prerequisites Overview
  • Verifying Your Prerequisite Course Work
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  • Step 2: The Application Overview
  • Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) Application Overview
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Admissions Step 3: Interview Process

For the 2023-24 admissions cycle, UCSF School of Pharmacy will conduct remote/virtual admissions interviews for all candidates invited to interview. All interviews will be held December 2023 through January 2024.

For 2023-24 Interviewees: Please check this page regularly, leading up to your interview. We will continue adding/updating information as our Interview Days approach.

The primary purpose of the interview is to assess your communication skills, but we are also interested in your problem-solving skills and your ability to think critically.

Interviewee resources/handouts

Important handouts and resources have been uploaded for easy access. Visit Admissions Interview Days - Applicant Materials (UCSF) . Many of these documents will be referenced during the Pre-Interview Sessions.

When will I be interviewed?

Interviews are by invitation only. They are held December 2023 through January 20234. We begin emailing invitations in November. The invitations will include instructions for accepting or declining the offer.

Do I have to be interviewed?

Yes. The interview is a required part of the application process. If you decline our invitation, your application will be canceled and you cannot be considered for admission.

How are interview days structured?

In 2023-24, our interview days will be held online. In addition, to avoid “Zoom Fatigue,” we are scheduling each applicant’s interview over a two-day period.

Pre-Interview Session: Topics covered include: orientation/overview, presentation on UCSF’s three-year PharmD program; financial aid presentation; student break-out sessions (ask questions of our current students!)

Interview + Essay Day: The candidate interview and essay exercise are held on the same day. (More information is below.)

What happens on the day of the interview?

Interview: For 2023-24 interviews, UCSF School of Pharmacy will pause our MMI format and, instead, utilize a traditional interview format . You will interview with two members of our community (such as a faculty member and a current student -- together) for approximately 45 minutes. There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions. Although a major focus of the interview is assessing your communications skills, the interview format will also allow us to assess critical thinking skills, empathy, and future plans.

Essay Exercise: You will be given 45 minutes to write an essay on a selected topic. The topics are not academic in nature, nor do they test your knowledge in specific subjects. This exercise can help the admissions committee assess your writing skills, as well as your problem solving and critical thinking abilities. For 2023-24, the essay will be administered online and submitted electronically. At the appointed time of your essay, we will provide a link for you to access the essay prompt, compose your essay online, and submit electronically within the 45-minute time frame.

ZOOM interviewing

All our presentations, interviews, and essay exercises will be conducted using the ZOOM app. Please note the following:

  • You must access ZOOM through the app . Accessing it through an internet browser will not allow you to participate in our process. Please double-check you are opening ZOOM through the downloaded app.
  • For the interview and essay, your camera MUST be on .

Guidelines and best practices for videoconferencing

You MUST download and utilize the Zoom Client for Meetings app (available at the Zoom Download Center) to access meetings. Accessing Zoom through an internet browser will not allow you to participate in our interview process. Again, you must use the Zoom app, not a web browser.

  • Applicants must have their own meeting space and the ability to log in separately for the meetings. Only the applicants invited to interview will be admitted to the session.
  • Each applicant should have a quiet space without distractions for the entire time of your interview and essay.
  • Applicants must have their video on and be on screen throughout the entire time including presentation, essay, and interview. UCSF School of Pharmacy will not accept picture placeholders or blank screens with names on them for participation in the interview. Anyone using picture placeholders or blank screens with their names will be instructed to turn on their video.
  • Please make sure ahead of time that your name on the screen reflects your name as it appears on your PharmCAS application.
  • Applicants must be dressed professionally as if you were interviewing on-site.
  • UCSF School of Pharmacy will not record any of the meetings. You are prohibited to record any part of your interview experience at UCSF.
  • Earphones/buds are recommended, but not required, during the interview in order to limit background noise and ensure privacy.
  • It is strongly recommended that all applicants access their Zoom account 24 hours before to ensure there are no updates to the application.

We know many of you are familiar with using Zoom. However, we still recommend taking time to prepare for your UCSF online interview. This includes setting up your space, updating your computer, downloading the Zoom app, adjusting space/lighting, etc. The internet provides MANY resources on how to interview successfully via Zoom, including Indeed’s article on 18 Tips for Succeeding During Your Zoom Interview . The following tips are covered:

  • Use the mute button.
  • Look into the camera while speaking.
  • Choose a professional background.
  • Find a brightly lit room.
  • Pick a quiet space.
  • Silence your phone.
  • Maintain your focus.
  • Turn off notifications.
  • Use a laptop or computer.
  • Charge your laptop.
  • Update your computer.
  • Find a good internet connection.
  • Communicate with your household.
  • Wear professional attire.
  • Keep your screen clear.
  • Practice using Zoom.
  • Use appropriate body language.
  • Ask your interviewer questions.

How should I prepare?

Practice your communication skills and spontaneous writing skills. Try writing an essay on a random topic to hone your analytical and organizational writing skills. If you feel that you have difficulty communicating, or with interviews in general, consider taking a public speaking or communications course to build your confidence. In addition, you should research the field of pharmacy and have some awareness of current issues in health care.

Interview tips

Be relaxed, be yourself, but be prepared. You need to have a sound understanding of the interview process. This is a first impression exercise, and you need to come across as calm, self-confident, emotionally stable, bright, mature, disciplined, and able to think on your feet.

Do your homework: Know the school and the program. There was a reason you applied to this school and chose this field—recall why and be able to convey that during the interview, if asked.

Practice: Do a mock interview session, preferably more than one. Use resources such as an undergraduate advising center or a faculty mentor. Ask to schedule a mock interview, or at least to discuss interview strategies so you are more prepared when you arrive.

Familiarize yourself with current trends in the field of pharmacy and health care in general.

More on this topic in our admissions director’s blog

Although not required reading, you’ll find additional comments in A Successful Interview Day: Expectation Meets Preparation , a blog post by Admissions Director Joel W. Gonzales .

Frequently asked questions about the interview process

  • Is every applicant interviewed? No. We receive applications from more individuals than we are able to interview. This number is not fixed, but on average, we issue approximately 250 invitations per year.

Can I reschedule my appointment? Our office grants permission to reschedule an interview only for the following 5 reasons:

  • medical emergency or illness
  • conflict with religious observances
  • conflict with a professional exam
  • conflict with a college course examination
  • conflict with another pharmacy school interview.

Additional details are provided with your interview invitation notice.

  • How should I dress? Although we have no dress code requirement, most applicants opt for professional attire. With our interviews being held via Zoom, it’s still important to dress professionally.
  • What if I am late for my interview? or What if I miss my interview? Extenuating circumstances beyond your control will be considered, but if you fail to appear at your assigned interview day and time, your application will most likely be canceled.

See all frequently asked questions about PharmD admissions

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  • Step 4: After Applying
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30 pharmacy school interview questions.

pharmacy school interview essay

Reviewed by:

Akhil Katakam

Third-Year Medical Student, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Reviewed: 5/13/22

Are you preparing for your pharmacy school interview? Check out these sample pharmacy school interview questions and answers to help you get started!

Congratulations, you’re on your way to becoming a pharmacist ! Getting ready for your pharmacy school interview can feel like a challenging task, and you may not know how to get started at first, but you’re not alone! That’s why we’ve compiled our list of popular pharmacy school questions. 

Here we’ll explore pharmacy school interview sample questions in different formats, and how to respond. We’ve included several types of questions you may be asked during your interview. If you have any questions or would like to practice with a tutor , feel free to set up a consultation with one of our experts at any time. 

Let’s get started!

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10 Pharmacy School Interview Questions + Answers

Here are ten popular pharmacy school interview questions and how to answer them. Before you start practicing, it’s important to note that interviewers may ask general, behavioral, scenario, and political questions. 

Our list has included examples of each type of pharmacy school interview question to help get you prepared for your interview. Keep in mind that our answers should be used as a guideline for you to form your own answers based on personal experience. 

1. “Tell me about yourself.”

Answering this question is simple; you shouldn’t have to think about it too hard. Be honest and give a brief synopsis of where you’re from, how you’ve gotten to where you are today (applying to pharmacy school), and what you enjoy. You can be lighthearted with your answer or serious; just be true to who you are. 

Your answer should include how you became interested in pharmacy as a career path. Avoid simply talking about your life and unrelated subjects. It’s good to briefly mention where you’re from and what you’re up to currently as you follow it up with your interest in pharmacy school.

Sample answer: “My name is Aisha, and I’m from Dallas, Texas (go cowboys!). I first became interested in pharmacy when I was about 11 years old. My mom was sick and I had to pick her up some medicine, the pharmacist was so kind to me and I loved learning the instructions and helping take care of my mom at home. I’ve been looking forward to going to pharmacy school ever since, so here I am! I hope to one day help families care for each other in the way my local pharmacist helped me.”

Why this answer works: In this sample, the candidate begins by briefly mentioning where she’s from, with a quick reference to something she likes about her hometown. She then tells the story of how she became interested in pharmacy and what led her to this point. 

She keeps it brief and to the point, which is excellent as this is often the first question an interviewer will ask you so it’s important to leave room for more conversation. She concludes by mentioning her long term goals in pharmacy, which is a great way to show commitment and initiative. 

2. “Why do you want to be a pharmacist?”

This question gives you the opportunity to expand on why you’re passionate about pharmacy. It’s a good idea to answer by mentioning a positive impact you hope to make on the field one day, and talk about how attending pharmacy school will assist you in achieving your long-term career goals.

Sample answer: “I’ve had several family members struggle with medication - whether it’s taking it at the right times, knowing the side-effects, or taking the right dosage. I want to educate people on how their prescriptions can help them and change the mysticism around medication, which is why I’ve taken language and communication courses. I believe the relationship a person has with their pharmacist can make a major difference in the successful treatment of ailments, and I’m excited to be the change I want to see in that aspect.”

Why this answer works: The candidate singled out an issue in the field that they have seen and explained the steps they’ve already taken (and intend to take) to improve that issue in the field. You should be specific about why you’re passionate about pharmacy and why you’ll be a good pharmacist.

3. “When did you first decide to pursue pharmacy as a career?”

You should be honest and simply tell your story when answering this question. Whether you’ve wanted to be a pharmacist since you were little or you just became interested last year, your story is what makes your journey unique - so you should tell it like it is. 

Sample answer: “My mother always told me that what’s most important is taking care of each other. I think watching her care for my siblings and apply this rule to her life inspired me to get into healthcare at a young age. I’ve also had a keen love of science from the first class I ever took! When I got to college, I took a few pre med and pre pharm courses, which is where my interest in pharmacy specifically started to grow.”

Why this answer works: The interviewee is to the point, honest, and open about how they became interested in pharmacy. Saying you’ve wanted to be a pharmacist your entire life is vague and won’t seem very truthful, even if it is true. You should be specific about the moments in your life you’ve considered pharmacy as a career, and when your interest began to develop more seriously. 

4. “What will you do if you're not accepted into pharmacy school?”

Be sure to give a thoughtful answer when responding to this question. The interview is genuinely asking about your other interests. It will seem disingenuous to simply state that you only want to do pharmacy and nothing else interests you.  

Sample answer: “My dream is to become a pharmacist, so I would wait and apply again the next chance I got. If for some reason I couldn’t become a pharmacist at all, I’d look for a career option where I could educate people on science. I love working with younger people, so perhaps I’d become a science teacher or a nutritionist.”  

Why this answer works: Firstly, the candidate reinstates their passion for pharmacy by stating they would wait a year and try again. Then they give another option (their fallback option) which still utilizes skills that are important for a pharmacist to have - such as being passionate about education and health. 

5. “What makes a good pharmacist? (What characteristics)”

You should put a lot of thought and research into responding to this particular question. Here the interviewer is basically asking you how you would be as a physician, so it’s important to know what traits are important and be able to explain yourself. 

Sample answer: “I believe a good pharmacist is patient, adaptable, diligent, and passionate. Patient to be able to communicate with many different people and ensure they understand you, adaptable in order to easily adjust to ever-changing situations and practice environments, diligent to ensure they do not make any mistakes, and passionate to put their all into their work every day.”

Why this answer works: The candidate mentions several well-researched characteristics that are important to have as a pharmacist. They then go on to explain why each characteristic is important, which shows attention to detail and passion for the field. It’s always important to understand your answer, and showing your work is great practice. 

6. “What are the advantages and limitations that you see going into pharmacy?”

Again, it’s important to answer this question genuinely. You should also do your research on the profession to know what particular pitfalls you may face in your path to becoming a physician. No job is perfect, but you should be able to explain why despite the cons - you feel that pharmacy is the right path for you. 

Sample answer: “I understand that becoming a pharmacist requires a large time commitment, the field can be competitive, and that I will constantly be in a high-pressure work environment. However, I know my passion for pharmacy will carry me through the limitations it may present. The main advantages for me are being able to help people, work in a clean, independent work environment, and wake up every day to do a job I love doing.” 

Why this answer works: In this answer, the candidate first confronts the potential limitations or “cons” right away. They then counteract those cons with the advantages of the field that they look forward to as a future pharmacist. This is a good way to frame your answer to ensure that you end on a positive note and reinstate your passion for the field. 

7. “How do you handle adversity? Can you give an example?”

This is an adversity question, which is an example of a behavioral question. Adversity questions are common in pharmacy school interviews because your interviewer is trying to gage your conflict resolution skills. Any example you give is alright as long as, in the end, you learned something from the experience.

Sample answer: “When I was working at my first job at McDonald’s, I had a coworker who would always assign me the tasks they were supposed to complete. One day, I confronted him about this and gave him an opportunity to stop avoiding his tasks before going to my boss. To my surprise, he apologized and explained that his family was going through a rough time - and his stress was making it hard to work. I’ll always be grateful that I gave him the chance to explain, because we later became good friends and I gained some perspective. It was also a wake-up call for him, and after taking a couple days off work he came back with a fresh attitude.”

Why this answer works: In this response to this question, the interviewee provides an example of a time they had to confront a coworker. Conflict is basically unavoidable in any work environment, so it’s important to show your interviewer that you can address conflict in a mature, responsible manner - especially in a high pressure environment. 

8. “Imagine you are a pharmacist, you work in a local pharmacy with a number of other pharmacists and pharm techs. You notice that one of the senior pharmacists has consistently been coming in late, often isn’t in uniform and speaks inappropriately when talking to patients. How would you deal with this situation?"

This is an example of a situational interview question, which you may be asked in your interview. To answer this type of question, it’s a good idea to try to recall a time you successfully dealt with a work issue. You can also do research to ensure you know the protocols involved in responding to this type of situation.

Sample answer: “I would first check the protocol to see if the pharmacist has actually broken the rules, and refer to the code of conduct at my pharmacy for advice on how to deal with this situation. I know my top priority is ensuring the health of patients, so if a fellow coworker was ever doing anything to jeopardize their patient’s health, I would report it immediately - even if they had worked there longer than me.”

Why this answer works: This answer highlights the candidate’s allegiance to patient welfare above all. It’s also always a good idea to refer to the protocol of your individual work environment before taking action to make sure you know when it’s time to report a grievance you may have with a coworker.  

9. “Recently, Facebook was under fire for not regulating advertisements and flagging them for misinformation. What is your opinion on regulating ads? Do you believe it violates freedom of speech?”

This question is an example of a question based on current political events. It is very common for interviewers to ask candidates for their perspective on current issues in the field, so it’s important to stay up to date on what’s happening in the news before your interview and think about your position on these issues.

Sample answer: “I understand why some people would believe blocking ads is a violation of free speech, however, I believe that it is important to regulate what content can be displayed to millions of people at once. As a future healthcare provider, I’m specifically concerned about misinformation on medical issues, like the use of pharmaceuticals. If an ad were placed stating misinformation on how a drug affects your body, I would certainly hope it would be flagged to protect the health of the general population.”

Why this answer works: The candidate immediately puts themselves in the position of a healthcare provider, and prioritizes the health of the general population. When answering opinion-based political questions, it’s important to put aside your own personal thoughts on the matter and put the patient first. 

10. “Are there any questions you'd like to ask me?”

When an interviewer opens up the floor for questions, it’s your chance to make a lasting impression. Typically, this question comes at the end of your interview, so you should do plenty of research on the school in order to ask a thoughtful question to your interviewer before saying goodbye. 

Sample answers: Here are some examples of questions you can ask your interviewer:

  • How are you?
  • What do you love most about this school that you think others may not offer?
  • I’ve been really interested in ____ school club, are there other similar opportunities available at the school as well?
  • What's your favorite thing to do in the area?
  • When can I expect to hear back about a decision?

Part of having a memorable interview is asking your interviewer at least one well-thought-out question. Make sure to do research on your school, and avoid asking a question that could be easily answered by a simple google search.

Other Pharmacy School Interview Questions

Here are some more sample pharmacy school interview questions for you to review and practice on your own. Try to implement the strategies we mentioned in the sample answers section to help you form your responses!

General and Behavioral Questions

  • What character trait do you find the most difficult to deal with in others?
  • Why did you choose ______ as your major?
  • What steps do you take to manage your schedule and maintain a school/life balance?
  • In a team setting, do you prefer being a leader or following orders?
  • Would you describe yourself as adaptable? What was a time you had to quickly adapt to an unfamiliar situation or setting? 
  • Have you ever participated in a research project ? If so, what was your role?
  • What is your biggest weakness?
  • What can you contribute as a student to this school?
  • If you woke up tomorrow and pharmacy school didn’t exist anymore, what would you do?
  • How will you positively impact the pharmacy profession?
  • Have you ever struggled in a class? How did you improve?
  • In what situations have you previously worked in service of the public?
  • When faced with conflict, do you prefer to confront or avoid it?
  • If you're applying from away, why did you choose to apply to a school in this area? 
  • Have you ever had a negative interaction with a healthcare professional? How did you handle it?

Scenario Questions

1. You are the head of a major pharmaceutical research company that is struggling financially. One day, a large diet supplement company comes forward with all the funding you need in exchange for your support and funding credit. What will you do?

2. Imagine you are a pharmacist and your shift is about to end. You are the only person at the pharmacy, and you are supposed to lock up in five minutes, but you still have many tasks remaining that you were hoping to finish. You also have an important event later tonight, so you can’t stay late. What do you do? 

3. You have been offered two positions as a pharmacist after graduating. One is in a nice, metropolitan area with lots of goods and services nearby. The other is in an underserved community fifty minutes away from downtown. Which job do you take?

4. A patient comes into the pharmacy asking for medication they have been prescribed. You fetch the medication and ring it up, but the patient now says they do not have insurance, and they can not afford the medication. What do you tell the patient? 

5. A patient comes into the pharmacy with a prescription for a highly addictive substance. You notice they are exhibiting signs of addiction and substance abuse. What do you do? 

When practicing for your interview, make sure to practice in front of a mirror and with a partner to help you calm your nerves and get comfortable saying your answers out loud before your big day. You should also practice all types of potential interview questions to ensure you are ready for whatever questions you may be asked.

FAQs: Pharmacy School Interview

Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about pharmacy school interviews. If you’re nervous for your interview or any part of your pharmacy school application, consider hiring an admissions expert to help you through the process.

1. What Kind of Questions Are Asked in a Pharmacy School Interview?

In a pharmacy school interview you may be asked general questions, scenario questions, school-specific questions, and behavioral questions. You should also stay up to date on the current political climate in case you are asked for your opinion on issues within the field. 

2. How Do I Ace a Pharmacy School Interview?

To ace your pharmacy interview, make sure to properly prepare for your interview by doing the following steps:

  • Practice answering general, behavioral, and scenario questions with a partner and in front of a mirror
  • Do plenty of research on your school and its history
  • Read up on current political issues facing the field 
  • Research issues you may potentially face as a pharmacist in the future and consider how you would handle them

You should begin preparing for your interview as soon as you have been invited to one. Be sure to also send a post interview thank-you note to your interviewer to express gratitude and state your continued interest in the program.  

3. How Long Is a Pharmacy School Interview?

Pharmacy school interviews are typically thirty minutes in length, but can range between 20-40 minutes. 

4. How Do You Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in a Pharmacy School Interview?

Be honest, be yourself, and be brief. Your answer can include a few personal details (where you’re from, what you studied, etc.) and should include how you’ve come to this point in your life (applying to pharmacy school). Your answer should not be overly long or tell your complete life story.

Final Thoughts

Reviewing pharmacy school sample interview questions is an essential step in preparing for your interview. Be sure to review all types of interview questions and give yourself at least three weeks prior to your interview to begin preparing. 

You should schedule time with a partner to help you answer questions out loud. Practicing with someone else will also help calm your nerves for your big day. If you can’t find a partner, practicing in front of a mirror is also a great way to get more comfortable with your answers. 

Your answers should be well-researched, truthful, and thorough. Remember, your interviewer has seen many candidates, so it’s important to stand out! Asking thoughtful questions and sending a post interview thank-you note can help you make a good first impression.

Good luck in your interview!

pharmacy school interview essay

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Pharmacy School Interview Tips with Sample Interview Questions and Answers

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Pharmacy school interviews are a required part of the application process for many programs, so you need to be well prepared. No matter how strong your application is on paper, if you do not make a good impression in the interview the school is not likely to offer you a position. In addition, the interview is your best opportunity to get a feel for the program and to learn more so you can select the best program for your needs.

This article will explain how pharmacy school interviews work and how to prepare for them.

  • How do I prepare for a pharmacy school interview?

The keys to nailing your pharmacy school interview are research and rehearsal. Before the interview, you should review the school’s website to understand their values, mission, and other details. If you do not know these basics there is no way you can tailor your interview responses to highlight how you are a great match for their program. Ask current or past students, about their interview experiences. They can also give you insider tips about what to expect from the people on your interview panel, so you aren’t caught off guard by their line of questioning or behavior.

pharmacy school interview

After you’ve done your research, it’s time to practice. Make a list of potential questions and think carefully through your responses. Ideally, you can find a friend, colleague, or current pharmacy student to play the role of interviewer in a mock interview. Treat it like it is real, and ask the interviewer to take notes. Providing them with a mock interview form can help provide direction on the types of feedback that will be valuable. If you have a video camera, record yourself answering the questions. This technique can give you valuable information about your mannerisms and voice rhythms, both of which are key aspects of how others perceive your confidence, intelligence, and professionalism.

How long do pharmacy school interviews take?

The length of a pharmacy school interview depends on the format used by the school.

The length of a pharmacy school interview depends on the format used by the school. Some schools use 1-on-1 interviews, in which an applicant meets with a single representative of the school at a time. Applicants can meet with one or several interviewers. Other schools use a group interview, where multiple applicants are interviewed together. Make sure you are mentally prepared for the format used by each school, and tailor your interview preparation to that format.

In addition to the verbal interview, some schools will require you to take a calculation test or write an essay on the day of your interview. Show up a little early so you aren’t rushed and arriving in a frantic state of mind.

  • How do you dress for a pharmacy school interview?

Business attire is the expectation for the pharmacy school interview. A business suit (males and females) or crisp skirt (females) is ideal, because it conveys an image that you take the interview seriously and respect the school. Hair, make-up, and nails should be clean and well-groomed. Avoid strong scented perfumes, lotions, and deodorants. You do not want interviewers distracted by your appearance or scent; you want them to focus on what you are saying.

  • How does a pharmacy school group interview work?

student interviewing for pharmacy school

Group interviews include multiple applicants being interviewed at the same time by a single interviewer or a panel. A question is posed to the group, then everyone has an opportunity to respond. You want to make sure you’ve given enough thought to your answer so that it is unique, personal, and distinguished from those of your competitors. You can avoid being "scooped" if you are the first to answer, which you should try to do at least once to project confidence. On the other hand, you do not want to dominate the conversation.

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  • What do I bring to a pharmacy school interview?

If the program sent a letter of invitation or an interview day schedule, bring it with you. You should also bring your driver’s license or other form of identification. A pen and notepad can also be helpful for essays or calculation exams. If you are traveling far, you may also wish to bring a snack and beverage to consume before the interview to help you stay focused.

  • What questions do they ask in a pharmacy school interview?

It’s not possible to predict which questions you will be asked in an interview, but you can prepare by thinking about answers for some of the more common questions.

  • What is your motivation for getting a PharmD?
  • Why are you the right fit for this school?
  • Why should we pick you over other candidates?
  • Are you prepared for the rigors of pharmacy school?
  • What are your weaknesses?
  • Do you follow trends in the industry?
  • What are your interests outside of school?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

The list of possible questions is infinite, and you should think through as many responses as you have time to prepare. Additional sample questions and interview tips from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy ( AACP ) can be helpful.

  • What should you say in a pharmacy school interview?

pharmacy school interviewer asking student questions

When answering questions, speak slowly and make sure you answer the question clearly. Take your time and use each response as an opportunity to share an aspect of you that highlights your fit for the program. Make sure you clarify any red flags in your application, such as low GPA or PCAT scores, an educational gap, or evidence of struggle in a particular academic subject.

Interview panelists also expect you to ask questions. You will be spending at least 3 or 4 years of your life and a lot of tuition money at this program. Make sure you know what you are getting into. Thorough research about the school should raise natural questions and will show you are genuinely interested in the program.

At the conclusion of your interview, ask for a business card if you don’t already have the email address of your interviewer. Sending a thank you note within 24 hours is an appreciated gesture and allows you one final opportunity to solidify their positive impression about you.

What questions should I ask in a pharmacy school interview?

The interview is a 2-way conversation, so you shouldn’t be shy asking questions over the natural flow of conversation.

The interview is a 2-way conversation, so you shouldn’t be shy asking questions over the natural flow of conversation. This will ensure you have time to ask the important questions in your mind and learn enough about the program that you can decide if it is truly the right fit.

  • What distinguishes this school from the others I’ve applied to?
  • Do you offer scholarships or student work opportunities?
  • Is there an opportunity to participate in research?
  • What kind of student support network is available?
  • How active is your alumni program?
  • Where are your recent graduates working today?
  • Do you have mentorship and leadership opportunities?
  • How does your residency placement program work?
  • What is the licensure exam pass rate for recent graduates?

pharmacy school interviewer greeting students

Be cautious not to ask superficial questions that have answers readily available on the school’s website. Dig a little deeper. For example, if they post a list of where recent graduates are employed, you could instead ask for which of those positions are graduates best prepared.

Ask about the interviewer. Everyone loves to talk about themselves and you can learn a lot by listening to the experiences of people who have already made it to where you are trying to get. For example, you could ask them what they love most about being a pharmacy professor or student.

  • What should you not say in a pharmacy school interview?

Everything that comes out of your mouth should be respectful. Do not talk negatively about an employer, colleague, or another school. This is very unprofessional and can put people off. Common wisdom also says to avoid talking about controversial subjects, such as politics or religion.

If your interview panel includes one or more current students, do not let your guard down. While they may display a more casual vibe and may not even be called official interviewers, they are very much evaluating you and will provide their opinions to the rest of the interview committee. You should work just as hard to impress the students as you do the faculty.

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  • Pharmacy School

100 Pharmacy School Interview Questions

5 Hardest Pharmacy School Interview Questions and Expert Answers

Pharmacy school interview questions are difficult for different reasons, and these reasons will be discussed along with expert response to each question in this blog. Remember, these interview questions are here to help you get ready to talk why you are the right fit for pharmacy school. By reviewing these questions and our expert answers, you will be able to identify your own talking points for each sample question.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<

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Article Contents 16 min read

It is important to note that it’s not really possible (let alone advisable!) to try to memorize questions and answers like this. Not only is that highly ineffective, but it’s also quite unlikely that you would get these exact questions (with the exception of numbers 1 and 2, to be addressed shortly). Rather, focus on the types of questions being asked and the kinds of issues each question type addresses. Having a strategy for question types is a much more effective way to prepare for your interview. As always, we strongly recommend “perfect” practice with experts who can give you objective commentary and evaluation of your responses, helping you hone the skills needed to take on any question. Here are 100 pharmacy school interview questions we'll tackle in this post. 

“Tell me about yourself ” is probably the most common “question” interviewees face. It is an incredibly vague request, and intentionally so! It is an open-ended prompt that can be taken in any number of different directions, and the interviewer(s) want to see where your mind goes when prompted in such a fashion. While everyone’s answer to this question will be completely unique, based on their own experiences, values, and priorities there is a good rule of thumb that offers some general parameters and guidelines to bear in mind:

It’s not a list, it’s a story

Don’t simply recite your CV or information from your application. While it’s absolutely fine to discuss things that are mentioned in your application, you don’t want a dry recitation of your activities, scores, presentations, etc. The interviewer(s) will have that information if it’s an open interview; if it’s a closed interview, the interviewer(s) won’t have access to that specific information, but you still shouldn’t simply run down a list of items or factoids about yourself. You need to take this opportunity to let your best qualities shine through!

That said, you also don’t want to try to outline your full autobiography, either. It’s acceptable to take a few minutes for “Tell me about yourself”, 3-4 minutes should be the maximum length, but any longer than that, and you’ll risk losing your audience’s attention. That’s one reason you need to put a lot of time and effort into thinking through how you’ll respond to “Tell me about yourself” – this is your chance to advance your best self and demonstrate for the interviewer(s) who you are at your core, and who you aspire to be as you pursue the path to your chosen profession. But you must also do this in a concise and compelling way. You need to work with this prompt until you know you can cover the points you want to cover in 3-4 minutes, but you also don’t want your answer to sound over-rehearsed or wooden, as that can seem inauthentic to your audience.

This question is meant to evaluate your priorities, your reasons for pursuing this profession, and the amount of mature reflection you’ve done in considering this path. Of paramount importance is that you display intrinsic motivation; that is, you are genuinely motivated by the work and ideas you’ll be advancing, rather than being motivated by things like money, power, authority, etc. 

Click here to read our expert response.

Pharmacy school interview questions: #3. scenario - selling syringes without a prescription.

You are a pharmacist at a small, independent pharmacy. A patient approaches your counter and requests needles and syringes. They do not present a prescription, and based on the records you can access, they are not receiving treatment for diabetes. Do you sell the syringes or not?

This question poses a tricky hypothetical dealing with a potentially controversial issue, which can cause some interviewees a lot of anxiety. On the one hand, you may want to help this person and understand their needs, but you likely don’t want to come off sounding like a potential enabler, if they are seeking needles and syringes for the purpose of injecting illegal substances. However, there are ways of answering this question that balance compassion and justifiable, ethical behavior.

Check out our video for how to address an ethical dilemma in the news

Pharmacy School Interview Questions: #4. Scenario - Ethical Sources of Funding

You are the CEO of a large pharmacy chain that is struggling to generate funds. You are approached by a famous fast food company that is willing to meet all of your financial demands in exchange for opening a chain store in a few of your pharmacies. What will you do?

Here is an ethical dilemma of a different kind, wherein the fate of your business may be tied up in the path you choose. You must balance the needs of your pharmacies with the ideals of the medical profession. 

A member of your family decides to depend solely on alternative medicine for treatment of his or her significant illness. What would you do?

Controversial or “hot” topics like this are common in interviews of all sorts. Interviewers want to understand your sense of right and wrong, your ability to explore ideas with which you may or may not agree, and your openness to multiple perspectives. There are a few things you want to ensure you do in answering such questions: acknowledge the validity of both “sides” (for and against) by presenting the pros and cons of a particular approach; represent opposing arguments fairly; offer a firm evaluation from your own perspective, without coming off as adversarial with regard to those who may disagree; when possible, think toward the future – if there are cons or negatives that aren’t expressly addressed in your position, demonstrate how you might resolve these. 

95 More Pharmacy School Interview Questions

1. How do you handle adversity?

2. How do you plan to finance your pharmacy school education?

3. What will you do if you're not accepted into pharmacy school?

4. When did you first decide to pursue pharmacy as a career?

5. How do you study?

6. How do you manage your time?

7. Why did you choose ______ as your major?

8. What characteristics does a good pharmacist possess?

9. What current event in pharmacy have you heard about or been following?

10. What are the advantages and limitations that you see going into pharmacy?

11. What type of person irritates you most?

12. What type of person do you like being with?

13. Are there any questions you'd like to ask me?

14. Why should we pick you instead of someone else?

15. What was the most difficult period in your life?

16. What is your biggest weakness?

17. What can you contribute as a student to the school of pharmacy?

18. What do you think makes a good pharmacist?

19. Have you applied to other pharmacy schools?

20. Have you ever seen academic dishonesty?

21. If you woke up tomorrow and pharmacy was no longer a profession, what would you do?

22. What is your back-up plan if you're not accepted?

23. How will you give back to the pharmacy profession?

24. If you've struggled in a class, what did you do to improve?

25. If you're applied as an out of state applicant, why didn't you apply to a pharmacy school within your home state?

26. Do you prefer frequent change or a structured routine in your daily work?

27. How do you perform under pressure?

28. How would you describe your listening skills?

29. What situations have placed you interacting with the public?

30. Do you like to confront conflict or avoid it?

As is the case with many professional programs, to gain admission into pharmacy school, applicants generally must go through an interview as part of the review process. Whether this is in MMI Interview (Multiple Mini Interview) format, a traditional one-on-one interview, panel interview, or video interview, you will likely face some tough questions. If you do have an MMI, have a look at our MMI questions blog to help you practice effectively. The interview is the admissions committee’s chance to understand who you are as a person – what your strengths and other assets are, what values you maintain, whether you’re a mature professional, how effective a leader or communicator you are, and so on. Such interviews are part of the larger process of “holistic review”, whereby candidates are evaluated on much more than their academics (though academics are still very important). Even your extracurriculars, work experience, volunteering, and other efforts have already been examined at this point, via your application package, so your general interpersonal skills and overall demeanor are under particular scrutiny in the interview component of your evaluation as a candidate. 

As such, the questions asked at such interviews are often very challenging; they are supposed to be designed to probe your sense of ethics, your priorities, your ability to adapt and persevere in the face of adversity, and so on. That said, there are some questions that still stand out as particularly difficult, though they are often quite different varieties of difficulty. That is to say, some are difficult because they may seem vague, others may present you with a tough ethical choice, and some may ask you to reflect on things you’d rather not reflect on (particularly in front of an audience and in a high-pressure situation!). It is crucial that you persevere, however, and that you prepare yourself for these kinds of questions. If you’ve made it to the interview stage, then you are one of the stand-out candidates, and this is your chance to demonstrate why you have what it takes to succeed in this program and this profession.

1. How can I answer a question about my weaknesses?

It's pretty common to be asked a question such as “what is your greatest weakness” or “what is your biggest failure” and these can be tricky questions to answer appropriately. It's much easier talking about accomplishments and strengths than having to admit to shortcomings. However, failure is a normal part of the learning process and it's a great way to demonstrate your ability to adapt and overcome challenges in the future. What's important is that you choose a suitable failure narrative, not one that questions your morals and ethics, such as skipping an exam to attend a concert. Make sure that you pick something that happened far enough back that you can reflect on the experience with maturity and discuss what lessons you learned from it. It's important that you pick a failure that is your fault, not an experience where you failed because of the actions of other people. You want to ensure that you are taking responsibility for your actions.

2. How can I discuss working with a difficult coworker or supervisor?

Sometimes admission committees like to include these types of questions to analyze your conflict management and problem-solving skills. The reality is, sometimes you will be working with a coworker, patient, or supervisor you don't see eye-to-eye with but you need to be able to handle situations maturely and work out your differences for the greater good. When addressing these types of questions, never badmouth the other person, even if you believe them to be at fault. Instead, explain the situation, discuss what was difficult, and most importantly, discuss what the experience taught you moving forward. Perhaps you learned how to communicate more effectively, or you learned to better see another person's point of view. You'll want to think about how you are better prepared to interact with difficult coworkers or supervisors in the future and incorporate this into your answer. Think of it like finding the “silver lining” to an otherwise negative situation.

3. Who will I be interviewing with?

This depends on the school but you should be prepared to meet with faculty members, pharmacists, students, members of the community or local alumni.

4. How can I manage my stress levels before and during my interview?

It's important to remember that feeling stressed is normal in such a high-stakes environment. In the long-term, preparation and strategy are essential. Ensure that you are practicing effectively by participating in realistic mock interviews and ensure that you are receiving expert personalized feedback. Next, approach your practice in manageable chunks instead of overloading each day and burning yourself out. Lastly, exercise, eating right, and sleeping well are essential for managing stress. For short-term stress management the day before and day of, it's a good idea to check out the school beforehand so you know where to go and you don't have anxiety about getting lost or arriving to the wrong interview room. Get a good night's sleep the night before and be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for parking and navigation to your interview room. If you're feeling nervous outside of the interview room, try these relaxation tips:

  • Take small sips of water.
  • Practice deep breathing.
  • Visualize a calming scene such as your favorite vacation spot.
  • Try smiling to relax jaw tension.

5. How important is my interview?

Your interview is extremely important. In fact, your performance can make up to 100% of your total score and will likely be the determining factor in receiving an acceptance letter.

6. What am I being evaluated on during the interview?

A variety of skills and characteristics will be assessed during your interview including:

  • Communication skills
  • Knowledge of the profession
  • Relevant experiences
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Team work skills
  • Motivation for pursing pharmacy
  • Ethics and morals

In general, admission committee members want to know whether or not you are suitable for a career as a pharmacist and whether you are a good match for their program. 

About BeMo Academic Consulting (“BeMo”):

BeMo is the most sought-after academic consulting firms in the world famous for helping applicants with admissions to highly competitive programs and its staunch advocacy for fair admissions. BeMo is the leader in CASPer test prep, Multiple Mini Interview prep, traditional interview prep, panel interview prep, and application review for highly competitive graduate and professional programs.

With over  students around the world, BeMo has helped more students get into competitive programs than any other expert in the field. BeMo's high-end consulting programs are often at full capacity before peak seasons and it has grown exponentially because of its outstanding success rate of 93.5%. BeMo has the highest rating of any other Academic Consulting with a 4.8/5 score on Trustpilot . BeMo has published multiple books on admissions including the following Amazon Best Sellers:

Ultimate guide to medical school admissions

Ultimate guide to multiple mini interview

Ultimate guide to CASPer test prep

BeMo’s founder and CEO, Dr. Behrouz Moemeni , is an internationally renowned admissions expert. His motivation-based admissions screening strategy has appeared in Diverse Issues in Higher Education , University World News , and Nature Jobs . He regularly presents thought-provoking presentations to an international audience including appearances at TEDx and Beyond Sciences Initiative . He is also the author of the book 14 Rules for Admissions Screening in Higher Ed: An Antidote to Bias . He is compelled by a vision to change the education system. He believes everyone deserves access to higher education. Specifically, he is determined to create and provide admissions and educational training programs that reduce the barriers to access in higher education.

Image Credit: Ryan Lackey, via the Creative Commons License:  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

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Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions.

Would you consider giving some sample answers to these interview questions?

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello Azell! Thanks for your comment! If you scroll down to sections Discussion in the first 5 questions, you will see that a link takes you to our expert response for these common pharmacy school interview questions. And thank you for the suggestion, we will work to provide more sample responses!

Steven Hull

Amazing guide! Thank you so much for writing this!

Thank you, Steven! We are glad you found this helpful!

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School of Pharmacy

How to prepare for a pharmacy school interview.

Pharmacy student

The pharmacy school interview is a critical component of the pharmacy school admission process. How do you prepare for a pharmacy school interview? It is a question every prospective student should consider. By researching more about the school and preparing yourself mentally, you will be confident and ready when the big day comes. Below you’ll find some tips and honest advice about how to prepare for your interview.

The pharmacy school admission process has many steps, but few are as important as the interview day. Being prepared for the interview is just as important as preparing for the PCAT or a final exam. The more you prepare, the less anxious you’ll be and the better you’ll perform. Lack of preparation will show in your interview and can oftentimes lead to an unfavorable admission decision. To avoid being unprepared or uncomfortable, it is worth it to prepare by researching the school and thinking deeply about what is driving your desire to become a pharmacist.

Prepare for questions you may be asked.

You won’t know exactly what questions you’ll be asked, but you can still think about general questions any interview team would like to know. As with a job interview, the team interviewing you wants to know more about you. For example, they want to know what you know about pharmacy, why you want to be a part of the community, what makes you tick, and why you have a passion for pharmacy. Here are a few questions you might be asked:

  • What are the pharmacists’ roles as a member of the healthcare team?
  • Why do you want to become a pharmacist?
  • Why do you want to attend Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy?
  • How have you been involved in community service, volunteer, and leadership activities; and how does this relate to the role of a pharmacist?

Be you and answer honestly.

The interview is your opportunity to show how you are uniquely qualified for admission. As you prepare for your interview, think about your “story.” How did you decide that you want to be a pharmacist? Did you have a defining moment that solidified your career path? If so, what was it? Chances are, no one else will have that same story – that’s what makes you unique!

You should be open and honest about any shortcomings that may appear on your PharmCAS application, such as a bad semester/year, a failed class, repeated classes, lack of community service or pharmacy experience, etc. Being open and honest regarding your record demonstrates the trust necessary in the profession of pharmacy, and is viewed positively in the interview.

Be professional.

It’s a good idea to present yourself in a professional manner. A good way to do this is to wear professional business attire and show up with a polished, clean look you feel confident in. Always arrive on time with a few minutes to spare so you are relaxed and composed before your interview day begins. Just knowing where to go and what time to arrive are two easy ways to feel more confident as you prepare for your pharmacy school interview. First impressions matter!

Practice your communications skills.

During your interview, your communication skills are important. Pharmacists need to be able to communicate important medication information to patients, and the interview team will want to see that you can communicate clearly.  Communication can be both verbal and nonverbal. Be sure to practice both by using appropriate language, making good eye contact, listening, and answering questions thoroughly but concisely.  Provide specific examples as much as possible but avoid rambling off on a tangent.

Ask questions!

Finally, ask questions! The interview team wants to know that you are genuinely interested in Concordia University Wisconsin. When you are doing your research about the school, some questions should naturally come up. What would you like to know about classes, professors, research opportunities, or campus culture?

The interview is as much about you interviewing the school as it is about the school interviewing you! Be prepared with your own set of questions, and be observant of your surroundings. Do students and faculty seem happy and supportive? Are scholarships available? Are there research opportunities? Does the school offer dual degrees? Are there leadership opportunities? At the end of the interview day, ask yourself if this is a school you can see yourself at for the next four years. Ask away!

Here are a few other tips:

  • Be a few minutes early! It takes many faculty and staff to put on an interview day. Being late or not showing up at all will leave a negative impression.
  • Look up the address and meeting location the day before. Knowing where you are going and how long it will take to get there in traffic is always a good move.
  • Applicants who decide to cancel an interview must do so two business days prior to the scheduled interview to avoid an unprofessional behavior notation (which is viewable by all programs) on their PharmCAS application.
  • Practice mock interviews with someone who can give you objective feedback.
  • Follow up. It never hurts to send a thank you note or email to faculty or staff you interviewed with. Ask for their business card or email address at the conclusion of the interview. If you forget to ask, this information is usually available on the school website.

What’s next?

With these practical tips, you’ve gained a little more insight on how to prepare for a pharmacy school interview. For more information about Concordia University School of Wisconsin’s School of Pharmacy, visit: www.cuw.edu/pharmacy

This blog was originally published on January 17, 2020. It has been updated to reflect current information.

Do you have a story idea or media inquiry for Concordia’s Strategic Communications team? Send an email to [email protected] .

If this story has inspired you, why not explore how you can help further Concordia's mission through giving.

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Personal finance and tips applying to pharmacy school.

Pharmacy Interviews

How to Approach the On-Site Essay

pharmacy school interview essay

One aspect of the pharmacy interviews will include a written on-site essay. The purpose of this assessment is to determine the candidate’s ability to effectively communicate, problem solve, and critical thinking skills. Expect to have roughly 30-60 minutes to brainstorm and write your essay.

The essay will cover controversial topics or an open ended type of question where no specialized knowledge is required. It most likely will relate to healthcare or pharmacy. My question was “What Questions should a Patient ask a Pharmacist”?

What questions/topics did you receive? Leave a reply below to share.

The most important tip for this type of assessments is to keep it simple. You are given a limited amount of time to complete an essay. Aim for a standard 4-5 paragraph essay to keep things simple. I personally would recommend a 4 paragraph essay:

  • Introduction and short background information with thesis statement
  • Argument for your stance on the topic
  • Argument against your stance on the topic
  • Conclusion: summarize what you wrote about and restate your thesis statement

The admission committee understands you wrote the essay in a short amount of time. They are not looking for a well thought out masterpiece. They want to assess your communication skills, how you problem solve, and critical thinking ability. Keeping things simple will allow you to put down your ideas on paper effectively in the time allotted.

One of the things that helped me prepare was to practice writing. I would time myself for 30 minutes with a random topic question. My goal is to write a 4 paragraph essay and have a friend or teacher review it to see where I could improve. Doing this will help speed up your thought process and get things written down on paper much more efficiently.

Another tip that further elaborates on the notion of keeping things simple includes vocabulary and misspellings. This is not the essay to show off how many different words you know. You will most likely be hand writing this essay without spell check. Unfortunately, our generation has become dependent on spell check. Try to keep the misspellings to a minimum and avoid words you cannot spell. Ask yourself how you would feel reading an essay with misspellings in every other sentence. Would this not distract you from the message of the essay?

Keep in mind that some on-site essays are read prior to the candidates actual interview. They could potentially ask you questions about what you wrote. From my personal experience I actually left a opinion based statement that was quite vague. I purposely placed this statement, hoping the interview team would question me on this specific topic. This prompted the interviewer to question what I had written in my on-site essay. Placing this statement in the on-site essay had worked in my favor. It helped guide my interview into an area I was comfortable talking about and had done my research in.

Good luck on the on-site essay and remember keep it simple!

  • What to Expect on Pharmacy School Interview Day
  • How to Prepare for Pharmacy School Interviews

I hope the recommendations above will help guide, motivate, and inspire you to achieve your goals. Follow my blog for more tips and advice on how to become a pharmacist. What questions were you asked for the on-site essay? Please comment below and share your thoughts.

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Nailing the Pharmacy School Interview & Getting Accepted

PHARMACY SCHOOL INTERVIEW

After filling our your pharmacy school application , the next step is interviewing. And interviews can be stressful, especially when the on-site pharmacy school interview is a critical part of the admissions process. By following the below steps, you’ll be one step closer to being accepted into pharmacy school.

Prepare to be interviewed.

Practice mock interviews with someone who can give you objective feedback. Treat the mock pharmacy school interview like the real thing. The more you prepare, the less anxious you’ll be and the better you’ll perform. Anticipate questions you might ask if you were the interviewer. If you can’t answer why you are the right fit for the pharmacy school you are interviewing at, you aren’t prepared.

Be prepared to write an essay and perform calculations.

Many schools require you to complete a calculation test and an extemporaneous essay during the pharmacy school interview day. You can and should practice ahead of time for both. Remember, if your personal statement reads like you’re Emily Dickinson or Ernest Hemingway, but you can’t write a simple essay during the interview day, what sort of impression do you think that leaves? Same thing applies for basic arithmetic.

Never be late or rude to anyone during the interview day.

A lot of busy people are devoting their time to get to know you. If you can’t make it for whatever reason, provide advance notice of at least 48 hours . There is growing intolerance for this type of unprofessional behavior since it takes two minutes to make a phone call or send an email. Remember, as an applicant, you are bound by PharmCAS’s “ Applicant Code of Conduct . ”

Interviews are a two-way street .

A secret about the pharmacy school interview day: it’s as much a way for you to determine if a school is a match for you as it is for them to determine whether you are the right candidate. Ask questions to faculty, students, preceptors, and alumni. Do folks appear happy and supportive? Are there scholarships? Research opportunities? Major practice site hubs for the program? Student support mechanisms? Organizations? Leadership opportunities? Ask yourself, “Is this a program that will nurture my growth?”

It never hurts to send a simple thank you note to the people who interviewed you. Ask for their business card or email address at the conclusion of your pharmacy school interview. If you forget to ask, this information is usually available on the school website.

And if everything goes according to plan…congratulations! You’ve been accepted!

A few of final pieces of advice on getting accepted:

Acceptance deadlines are real.

If you receive an offer of admission, respond back—it’s the professional thing to do. Many schools will provide you with clear deadlines to accept or reject the admissions offer. Do not ignore them. If you fail to respond, your offer will be retracted and extended to someone who will. To avoid this, schedule your interviews carefully. Open and honest communication with the school is always appreciated.

Stay connected to your email and voicemail.

After accepting an offer, remain connected with the school and don’t go “off the grid.” We want to engage and welcome you into our community. Therefore, we’re likely to begin sending you important information (new student orientation and white coat ceremony dates, housing information, summer reading, required vaccinations, tech requirements, intern license information, etc.). This flow of information is done specifically to ease your transition into the program and to avoid issues that inevitably occur when trying to address these items at the last minute. Give the pharmacy school a heads up if you anticipate being out of contact for whatever reason.

Start conditioning yourself with good habits before school starts.

Once you receive an acceptance, use the time before pharmacy school starts to develop a routine of good sleeping, eating, and exercise habits. Healthy habits will help ease your transition into pharmacy school, allow you to focus on the rigors of graduate coursework once it starts, and optimize your chances for success!

WANT MORE? CHECK OUT THESE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

  • 4 Things to Do Before Applying to Pharmacy School
  • 7 Steps for Filling out Your Pharmacy School Application

Dr. Kyle Sousa is the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at West Coast University’s School of Pharmacy in Los Angeles. You can follow him on Twitter @drbiochemistry.

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4 Tips for Your Pharmacy School Interview

Written by Kelly Tomory

November 17, 2022

future pharmacy student completing his pharmacy school interview

You’ve done your research. You’ve picked your top schools and submitted your pharmacy school applications. Now you’re ready to face the next big step standing between you and your future as a pharmacist: the pharmacy school interview. Most schools begin interviewing candidates in late summer or early fall. Pharmacy school interviews are by invitation-only. If you’re selected to interview at a pharmacy school you’ve applied to, you’ll be contacted by the admissions office to schedule an interview. The best way of increasing your chances of getting into pharmacy school after your interview is by putting in the preparation work beforehand.  But, how do you prepare for this critical component of the pharmacy school admission process? The key to nailing your interview, virtually or in person, is to come armed with knowledge—about the school, your goals and why you want to be a pharmacist. It might be nerve wracking, but the interview is mainly a way for the interviewer to get to know you a little better and develop a better understanding of your choice to become a pharmacist. Below, you’ll find four tips for your pharmacy school interview that will help you feel more confident about this next big step.

1. Practice answering potential pharmacy school interview questions

The best way to feel confident heading into an interview is to practice beforehand. Do some research online to find questions you might expect to answer during the interview, and practice with a friend, family member or colleague who will give you constructive feedback. While every interview is different, you can bank on being asked to share why you want to be a pharmacist and what makes you a good candidate for the school at which you’re interviewing. If you can't provide a succinct and compelling answer to those questions, you’re not ready. When preparing your answers, keep in mind that the interviewer is most likely seeking to hear you talk about:

  • You skills and strengths that will make you a successful pharmacist
  • Your ability to manage stress, workload and competing priorities
  • Your interest in the pharmaceutical industry and pharmacy trends
  • What exactly makes you interested in that particular school

Every pharmacy school interview is different, but you can expect to be asked the questions below, or at least a close variation.

→ Why do you want to be a pharmacist? → Why do you want to go to this school and not somewhere else? → What makes you a good fit for this school? Why should we accept you over someone else? → How will you balance the demanding workload of pharmacy school and your personal life? 

2. Be prepared and professional, no matter how your interview is conducted

If your pharmacy interview is taking place virtually instead of in person, that doesn’t mean you should expect it to be more casual. Get ready for a virtual interview exactly the same as you would for an in-person one: dress professionally, be on time (or early!), and come prepared with any additional materials you might need or want during the interview. If you are interviewing virtually:

→ Choose your location carefully. Find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted by roommates, pets or family. You should also give extra thought to what will be behind you during the interview--make sure the background is neutral, professional and devoid of any inappropriate posters or wall hangings. → Practice using the software Whether your interview is through Zoom, GoogleMeets or another platform, download the meeting software well in advance of the interview and make sure you know how to use it. Technical difficulties happen, but you’ll feel more confident and seem more prepared if you know your computer and software are ready for the interview.

3. Demonstrate your interest in the school/program

It’s not enough to simply say you want to be accepted into a program because you want to be a pharmacist. Be prepared to tell the interviewer why you want to be a pharmacist, what motivates you and give specific examples of why you are right for the school. Before the interview, do extra research about the school and its pharmacy program. An interview is a two-way street, and you should treat it that way. Write a list of questions you plan to ask during the interview and bring it with you. Asking the right questions can help demonstrate that you’ve given thought to your fit for the school and done your research. Here are some questions you might consider asking: → How does your school prepare students for success before and after graduation? → What leadership opportunities are available to pharmacy students at your school? → What mentorship opportunities are available? → What type of student typically succeeds in your program? → Where do some recent graduates from the program currently work?

4. Use your manners

It never hurts to show interviewers that you appreciate the time and effort they took to speak with you. After you’ve taken some time to reflect on your interview, send a thank you email or note to the faculty and staff you spoke with. This is also a great opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism and remind them that you’re a great fit for their program. 

Bonus tip: Start your professional degree in health care at Northeast Ohio Medical University

At Northeast Ohio Medical University, we're preparing highly skilled Doctors of Pharmacy to be industry leaders with a team-oriented approach to patient care and medication management services. Whether you aspire to work in a community pharmacy, government agency, hospital or anywhere else skilled medical professionals are needed, NEOMED's innovative and interprofessional curriculum will give you the knowledge, skills and professionalism you need to succeed as a pharmacist.

Curious about what NEOMED's Pharm.D. application process looks like? Check out our step-by-step guide, How to Get Into Pharmacy School: Applying to NEOMED.

Want to learn more about what's required to apply for pharmacy school? Download our resource, "No Bachelor's? No Problem! How to Become a Pharmacist in 2021".

Download the Guide

About the author

Kelly tomory.

Assistant Director of Admission

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How hard is it to get into pharmacy school 3 key application tips, 5 of the best pre-pharmacy majors for future pharmacists, how to write a compelling pharmacy school personal statement.

Writing the Personal Statement for Pharmacy School: A 5 Step Checklist

You’ve likely written a personal statement at some point in your life. Perhaps while applying to your undergraduate program, some of your schools required you to include an essay describing your achievements, yourself, and what you hope to accomplish in your time at their university. Similarly, many pharmacy programs will require you to write a personal statement for their application. 

This, however, is different. You will be able to highlight your relevant accomplishments and address why you want to become a pharmacist to stand out truly . With so many applicants during each cycle, admissions officers use this personal statement to gauge whom they wish to speak with for an in-person interview.

At this phase of the application journey, you've narrowed down the pharmacy schools you’re applying to. Your transcripts are in, letters of recommendation are ready, and it’s time for your pharmacy personal statement. The good news is that, unlike undergraduate applications that sometimes have different prompts, you must answer for various schools; your one pharmacy school personal statement will be sent to every program through your PharmCAS application . That also leaves an exciting challenge: Even if you have a favorite, you must consider how you want to write this personal statement, as it shouldn’t be tailored toward one specific school. 

1) Determining the Narrative

When writing a pharmacy school personal statement, the most common pitfall students experience is the need for more effort placed into their writing. While your grades may be exceptional, and your letters of recommendation prove that your student-teacher relationships are healthy and you are a pleasure to have in class, having a generic pharmacy personal statement doesn’t differentiate you from other qualified applicants. If all applicants have already covered the first two things, the personal statement may be the shining piece of the application. For most students, writing this statement will be the most challenging part of the application process. 

Begin to formulate your narrative. Lay out the structure and the different sections. There’s no specific format that pharmacy schools are looking for, so make this personal statement unique to yourself. As mentioned, the “cookie cutter” approach to this part of the application is where most students stumble. Use your time wisely and start early . Additionally, you can easily find a sample personal statement on various websites to help structure your thoughts. However, remember that these should be used only as samples and that you shouldn’t rely on them to format your statement.

2)Crafting a Unique Story

Each pharmacy school program wants students who demonstrate tenacity, which will help them succeed in their respective programs. One way to approach writing your pharmacy school personal statement is from the point of view of the admissions committee. Anyone charged with reading thousands of applications will focus on specific questions that signal a level of quality about the rest of the personal statement.

First, what's the reason that this student is choosing pharmacy as their career? Are they doing this for income or a genuine interest in providing the best care for patients? Does the applicant demonstrate a thoughtful understanding of their strengths and weaknesses? Do their ideals align with the mission statement of the school of pharmacy? Each reviewer may concentrate on different questions, but they want to see you feel a personal drive for a career as a pharmacist . Place yourself into the seat of an application reviewer and formulate different questions you could ask students. Try answering these questions and see how genuine your answers are. How you answer may decide if you want to continue to pursue this pharmacy school path.

3) Focus on Your Opening

One universal method many writing courses teach you is always to have a solid opening statement. I'd like you to please use this as an opportunity, to begin with a personal story about why you decided that pharmacy is the right career for you or maybe an inspiring quote that has always resonated with you. The reviewer may have reviewed several applications, so your first few sentences should stand out. You want to be able to make an impression from the beginning while showing an earnest drive to spend a career as a pharmacist.

Once you’ve effectively engaged the reviewer, it’s time for the “meat” of the personal statement. What do pharmacy application committees genuinely want to hear? 

4) Getting to Know You

They want to learn more about you before meeting in a live interview. Tell your own story succinctly but without cutting corners. Briefly describe how you learned to overcome obstacles like that to better yourself and those around you. Sure, you can write about your most relevant academic accomplishments. But go beyond that.

Discuss how certain clubs and organizations have helped you progress through your undergraduate experience and how those organizations may have led you to pursue the path of pharmacy school. Highlight the leadership positions you may have held in college that have helped mold you into the leader you see yourself as today. After setting those up, discuss the skills you’ve acquired to help you in pharmacy school and how they’d make you a better pharmacist.

When you mention your relevant academic studies, please keep repeating the pharmacy college admission test (PCAT) scores or the 4.0 GPA you achieved. The committee has this information before them as they read; they don’t need to be reminded.

Talk in detail about your relevant work experiences, such as research or a part-time job in a pharmacy. Discuss how these different work experiences furthered your commitment to the profession. Identify what aspects of the pharmacy setting may have attracted you and what you have learned from these experiences. Some students come into this part of the application process without work experience. That’s okay. You can highlight any volunteer work related to healthcare or pharmacy. 

5) Close with Confidence

Finally—and we can’t stress this enough—keep your writing professional. You’re making an impression on a professional committee, and as much as you want to make your statement sound lighthearted, remember that the reviewers’ time is at a premium for reviewing the essays and interviews in the next round.

Be succinct, direct, and human.

Remember to keep our advice top of mind:

The goal of your personal statement is to showcase why you would be the ideal pharmacy student and why your traits/qualities reflect those of a pharmacist.

Be as authentic as possible when detailing why you want to be part of the PharmD program. 

GPA and PCAT scores can only get you so far. Your personal statement is a chance for you to stand out in front of the other applicants who apply to the same pharmacy program as you. 

Remember, perfecting the personal statement takes time and your admission may depend on how much effort you ultimately put into your writing.

portrait of Hong Chen

Hong Chen, PharmD

My name is Hong Kui Chen and I am a graduate of The Ohio State University Pharmacy Class of 2022. I am currently working as a clinical research associate at Medpace, Inc, a contract research organization based in Cincinnati, Ohio. My work mainly consists of traveling to various sites around the country and providing protocol training on new clinical trials or monitoring data. While I enjoyed the traditional pharmacy role of working in retail or hospital, I wanted to expand and pursue this non-traditional role to see how clinical trials operate. I have a passion for being able to impact patients in a grand scale and even though I don’t have the 1-on-1 patient interaction, the work that I do can have long lasting contributions to overall patient health. 

Opinions and information published by the author here on PharmDDegree.com are of my own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of my employer.

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  • Pharmacy School Interview
  • How to Become a Pharmacist

Pharmacy school interview

If the reviewers consider you a compelling, qualified applicant, you will be invited to complete a pharmacy school interview. All applicants must complete an interview to gain admission to pharmacy school. 

Please note, pharmacy school interviews at each institution are different. At VCU School of Pharmacy, interviews are conducted in the fall and spring semesters on select Saturdays. Interview offers are extended via phone, so please be sure to have your voicemail set up so you don’t miss this moment!

Pharm.D. candidates that have been invited to interview can expect to:

  • meet Pharm.D. students, alumni and faculty;
  • complete a short informational interviews;
  • tour the MCV campus;
  • learn more about Richmond area;
  • submit a supplemental application and fee;
  • and complete an onsite essay.

After completing your pharmacy school interview, admissions decisions are provided within a few weeks as long as application materials have been submitted.

Tip: Make an appointment  to learn more about what you can expect during your pharmacy school interview.

Related articles:

Tips on creating a compelling Pharm.D. application

How to become a pharmacist

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Interview Essay Question Preparation for pharmacy schools

  • Thread starter gobears21
  • Start date Oct 12, 2009

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  • Oct 12, 2009

IrishRxMan

Full Member

Are you speaking of the quick essay the school has you write the day of your interview, sometimes called the spontaneous writing sample? If so, when I interviewed, it was basically the same impetus that we were given for our personal statement. I think it was a way to also check the validity of the information contained in the personal statement. Outside of that, I have no idea if I answered the question at all.  

SmKN808

♄...6102 o/ɔ doɔlʇs

gobears21 said: I know there is a thread about Interview Essay Question Preparation. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=172619&highlight=issues However, it is kind of old and no many interview essay questions are there so I made a new thread. Does anyone have advices for Interview Essay Question Preparation or know interview essay questions? (Im applying to pharmacy schools in CA, so if you know their questions, I would really appreciate!) Is there an guide book or practice book for interview essay questions? Click to expand...

Thank you for the help! They are exactly what I need or want!  

  • Oct 13, 2009
gobears21 said: Thank you for the help! They are exactly what I need or want! Click to expand...

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At UGA Pharmacy, we are committed to educating highly skilled pharmacy students in a welcoming and supportive environment. We’ve created this blog to help future Pharm.D. applicants, or anyone considering a career in pharmacy, navigate what it takes to become our newest PharmDawg!

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What to Expect in Your Interview

If selected, applicants are invited to interview for the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program.  These interviews are used in evaluating whether you would be a good fit for our College; it’s an opportunity for us to learn more about you as a candidate—your motivation, academic background, pharmacy experience, and leadership and involvement.  Before we offer admission, we want to ensure that you will be successful here.

pharmacy school interview essay

But the interview is also an opportunity to figure out if the University of Georgia is a good fit for YOU!  Ask questions; do your research about the program and the institution; talk with our faculty, staff, and students.  At the end of the day, only you can answer: Is there where I want to study pharmacy for the next four years?  (We hope the answer is yes!)

As part of the interview day, you’ll interview with faculty.  Think about the interview as a conversation—it’s an opportunity for our faculty to get to know you better, and for YOU to learn more about our program and what we have to offer.

The University of Georgia offers both in-person and virtual interview options.  In-person interviews take place on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, GA.  Virtual interviews will be facilitated through Zoom.

Faculty interview

During the interview, faculty will ask you about your interest in pharmacy; they’ll want to learn more about your

motivation to pursue the profession, and about your past experiences with pharmacy.  They will explore your leadership experiences and involvement on campus and in the community.  It’s also an opportunity to evaluate your professionalism and your ability to communicate effectively.

But you’ll also have an opportunity to ask the faculty questions.  You may want to know more about the curriculum, academic opportunities, participation in research
the faculty can provide you with some great perspective on what you want to know.

What can you do to prepare?

Interviews can be daunting, especially if it is your first interview.  But there are a lot of great resources to help you prepare!

One phenomenal resource is your own university or college’s career center.  Contact the career center to speak with a career consultant or to schedule a mock interview, an activity that simulates an interview while you practice common interview questions and receive feedback.  For UGA students, check out the UGA Career Center . NOTE: If you are a UGA student, you also have access to Big Interview , an interactive AI-enabled tool that provides you with hands-on practice experience with interviewing.

And if you’re not comfortable with any of those options, try practicing some standard interview questions.  This sounds silly, but you can even ask your friends to help you (or you can even practice in front of a mirror)!

Interactions with students

Our student ambassadors are very important in our interview process.  We know that our candidates want to know more about our program, and what better way than to speak to current PharmD students?  We have set aside time in the interview day schedule so can chat with the ambassadors and get the inside scoop on student life at UGA, which courses are their favorites, and how they become involved in professional organizations.

Our student ambassadors also provide all candidates for our in-person interviews with a tour of the College of Pharmacy buildings, so you can get a feel for the classrooms, laboratories, and learning spaces.  For our virtual interviews, we provide a virtual tour video of our campus facilities.

The rest of the interview day

Each candidate will submit a writing sample during the interview process.  We provide you the prompt and you have 20 minutes to write your response.  This is an opportunity for us to evaluate your writing and communication skills (without the benefit of spellcheck!).

And for our in-person interviews, we have one more activity: compounding!  All our in-person attendees participate in a compounding exercise, led by one of our faculty members.  At the end, you get to take home your final product!

By: Danielle Vitale, Ph.D.

Preparing Your Application

The UGA College of Pharmacy requires two applications as part of the admissions process: the  PharmCAS  application a nd the  UGA Supplemental application .  These applications typically open mid-July.   

pharmacy school interview essay

APPLY EARLY!  It is best to submit your application as early as possible.   The UGA College of Pharm acy has a priority deadline of December 1, 2021.  Applicants who have fully submitted their applications by this date will have priority consideration for 2+2 campus selection and scholarships as well as receive an application fee waiver.  Remember, we admit students on a rolling basis, and it might be possible to fill all  our seats before the final application deadline in May 2022!  

Before you start to fill out your  PharmCAS  and UGA Supplemental applications, gather  all of  your relevant material, including your college transcripts (from each institution you attended), your AP or IP scores, your PCAT scores (if applicable), and even a resume or CV with your work and leadership experience.  It is helpful to have all of this gathered before you fill out the  application,  so you don’t have to hunt it down later.   

After you have thoroughly filled out the  PharmCAS  application, review your work.  Proofread your application before you hit submit, especially for the written components like the personal statement.  Sometimes, it helps to read it out loud so you can catch spelling and grammar mistakes.  You could even have a friend or mentor proofread it.  Make sure to use the  PharmCAS Checklist  to ensure you’ve completed all the steps of the application process.  

And don’t forget to fill out the  UGA Supplemental Application  as well!  This is a secondary application for UGA, and it required to be completed  for  your application to be considered.  

What is a Personal Statement?

Personal statements, or personal essays, are an opportunity for you to share your story, your motivation, and your professional goals. When you apply to Pharmacy school through PharmCAS, you are submitting a general, comprehensive personal statement—meaning, you are sharing the same essay to every school to which you apply.   

Within the PharmCAS application, you are given a prompt for your personal essay. You are asked to share:  

  • Why you are interested in pharmacy  
  • How earning a PharmD degree relates to your short and long-term professional goals  
  • Your background, including personal, academic, and professional experiences—and how these will help you achieve your goals ( PharmCAS  , 2021)  

Read on for a few tips and tricks to help you write a standout personal essay for pharmacy school.  

Things to Do  

Pharmacy Personal Statement Examples | Studential.com

Hook the reader from the beginning. A strong opening sentence or paragraph make the reader keep reading and engages them right away. Suggestion: start off with a personal anecdote.  

Mention your skills, experiences, and motivations. But rather than rehash your entire life history, focus on a few key experiences. Opt for depth over breadth.  

When possible, make it personal. The best essays build a relationship between you and the reader. Personal details about your personal, academic, and professional experiences help to make it memorable (and therefore, stand out more to the reader!).   

Be yourself…not someone you THINK the admissions committee wants to read about. We value the unique experiences of our applicants, so we want to read about yours in your own voice.  

PROOFREAD your personal essay. Have a friend, family member, or mentor read it and give feedback. You may also consider campus resources to help strengthen your writing (for example, the  Writing Center   at UGA or your campus’ Career Center).   

Things to Avoid  

Since the PharmCAS application is a general, comprehensive personal essay, do not tailor your personal essay to a specific institution. Every institution to which you apply will have access to the same essay. (The same goes for reference letters—so make sure you tell your recommenders that!)  

Avoid cliches in your writing. This could include commonly used phrases or weak writing like “My name is….” or over-used words like “passion.”    

Do not copy another’s work or plagiarize any part of your personal essay. PharmCAS utilizes a service (iThenticate/Turnitin) to detect plagiarism or other violations of the applicant code of conduct. Plagiarism may result in an automatic denial of admission.  

Do not write too little—or too much. PharmCAS gives you about 1 page (4500 characters, including spaces) to answer the prompt. Use as much of that space as you can to fully answer the prompt.   

Leadership & Involvement

Pharmacists are leaders in the community and in healthcare, so strong candidates to the pharmacy program also have some leadership experience.  Your involvement may be through student organizations, employment, or community volunteering.   

Resources

Looking for ideas?  Why not join your school’s Pre-Pharmacy organization.  If they don’t have one yet, you can start it!  Pre-Pharmacy groups help you learn more about pharmacy school and careers, connect you to resources, and build up your professional network.  

Pharmacists are important pillars in the community in which they work, so community involvement and volunteering are also great ways to build up your experience.  Need ideas?  Find an organization that matches your interests, join a service organization on campus, volunteer with a local faith-based group, or donate your time to a health fair in the community.  

Don’t forget your work experiences, too!  Each job you’ve had has helped you gain more experience and develop more skills.  Focus on how those skills are transferrable to a career in pharmacy.    

Tips on Gaining Pharmacy Experience

UGA Pharmacists in Albany

There are a few ways you can get experience in pharmacy or in healthcare settings, such as working as a licensed or certified pharmacy technician, volunteering in clinics or hospitals, or shadowing a pharmacist or other healthcare worker.  Some of these opportunities might be difficult to  find, but  are so worth it!     

Another way to learn more about pharmacy is to do research about different careers pathways.  There are several resources to help you learn more about careers in pharmacy:   

  • Read more about different pharmacy career paths:  APhA Career Option Profiles .   
  • Determine what types of pharmacy work most suit your interests and personality with the  APhA Career Pathway Survey .    
  • Pharmacy Is Right For Me  also has some great resources, such as informational videos, a career quiz, and admissions tips.   

You can also learn more about being a pharmacist directly from a pharmacist!  Conduct an  informational interview  with a pharmacist to learn more about what the job is like.  Developing this relationship with a pharmacist or healthcare worker can be beneficial in learning more about pharmacy careers—as well as helping you find someone to write one of your required letters of recommendation!   

For questions about careers in pharmacy, contact Dr. Danielle Vitale, Director of Admissions and Career Development, at  [email protected] .  

Your Pre-Pharmacy Education

pharmacy school interview essay

While many of the courses are prescribed (for example, you  HAVE to  take biology and chemistry), you do have a bit of flexibility with courses in the social sciences and with world language/culture.  

  • Social Science – these courses include American history, political science, psychology, sociology, philosophy, anthropology, and gender  studies  
  • World Language and Culture – these courses include world history, world religions, foreign languages, cultural anthropology, art history, and world/human  geography  

If you have specific questions about which courses meet our requirements, review  our   Pre-Pharmacy Curriculum , or reach out to our Admissions Counselor at  [email protected] .      

To ensure that you are taking the correct pre-pharmacy coursework, make sure to meet with your academic advisor each semester.  They can help you map out your pre-pharmacy coursework so that you are meeting  all of  the academic requirements for admission into pharmacy school.  If you are a current UGA student, schedule  your  appoint with one of Pre-Pharmacy Advisors, Dr. Shane Pruitt and Mr. Erik Dennison  at  [email protected] .   

But most importantly, do well in your pre-pharmacy classes!  The knowledge you gain in those classes will be the foundation for what you learn in pharmacy school.   All of  the pre-pharmacy courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.  And just a note—your GPA for admission will only be calculated using your pre-pharmacy coursework (not your cumulative GPA).   

Make sure you use your time to develop other skills to help you be successful in pharmacy school, such as study habits and time management.  

Should I Take the PCAT Exam?

pharmacy school interview essay

The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy does not require the PCAT Exam as part of its admissions  requirements; however, we do recommend that applicants consider taking the exam.    

Why should you take the PCAT exam?  

We recommend that you take th e PCAT exam to strengthen your application. The Admissions Committee evaluates candidates holistically—meaning, they consider all parts of your application, including academic experience, pharmacy experience, work experience, and leadership and involvement.  Taking the PCAT (and receiving a competitive score) may help strengthen your applicat ion if you are not as competitive as other candidates in other areas.   

For example, if your GPA is be low our average (currently, a 3.4 for our incoming P1 class), or if you have failed/repeated prerequisite courses in the past, then a competitive score on the PCAT (50% or higher) can demonstrate your mastery of the prerequisite content.   

If you have questions abo ut the PCAT exam and would like to discuss your unique application with a n admissions counselor, please reach out to us at [email protected] . 

A Guide for Recommendation Letters

pharmacy school interview essay

Successful applicants at UGA typically h ave at least one letter submitted from a college-level faculty member and one from a healthcare provider (a pharmacist is best).  While just two letters will likely offer enough information for an admissions decision, you may submit up to four.  These additional letter s may be provided by an academic advisor, supervisor, or volunteer coordinator — especially if an evaluation from a pharmacist is not possible. Remember, letters from family, friends, and religious leaders will not count.  

Getting Great Recommendations  

You never know how many students will be asking your recommender for an evaluation, so make your request well in advance. Set the expectation that their evaluation should be completed no later than four weeks after you submit your own application. Professors usually write more positive recommendation letters for students who visit office hours, participate in class, ask questions about their research, and discuss career goals with them. Many pharmacists will feel comfortable writing a letter after only a few hours of shadowing. If you thought a shadowing experience was helpful, don’t be afraid to share with them specifically what you learned and ask if a letter of recommendation may be possible in the future.   

Here is how you submit an evaluation request within PharmCAS:  

  • In the Evaluations section, click Create Evaluation Request.  
  • Enter the evaluator’s full name and email address and suggest a date to have the evaluation completed.  
  • Enter a brief message or note for the evaluator.  
  • Click “Save This Evaluation Request” to submit your request and trigger an automated email to the evaluator.
  • Use the Check Status tab to monitor the status of your evaluations. Follow up with your evaluators if their evaluations are still marked as “Requested” or “Accepted.”   

It is your responsibility to ensure that evaluation requests are received and completed on time. It is always a good idea to follow-up with a thank you note once you see your letter has been accepted!  

By:  Shane Pruitt, Ed.D.  

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Reports From The Pharm

a random collection of helpful hints for prospective pharmacy students; combined with tidbits of information from our side of the admissions process; and a bit of spice -- for flavor!

Monday, October 30, 2023

Fee waivers -- don't be shy.

[Note: Beginning with the 2024-25 application cycle, we no longer require a UCSF Application Processing Fee. The only required fee is through the PharmCAS application.]  Applying to grad school can be costly. We know that. Fee waivers can be a way to offset that cost considerably! Applying to UCSF School of Pharmacy is a two-part (two-fee) process -- and both have fee waiver options available! 1. Submit a completed PharmCAS application For fee waivers for submitting the PharmCAS application, you should contact PharmCAS directly . 2. Submit a UCSF Application Processing Fee Consider requesting a fee waiver to cover the UCSF Application Processing Fee. A little work is involved but it could certainly save you an additional expense. There are several different categories in which a fee waiver is granted:

  • Verification from your current undergraduate Financial Aid office; or
  • Meeting certain income eligibility guidelines as a non-student; or
  • Submitting a statement of need

pharmacy school interview essay

Monday, September 25, 2023

Application workshops are back (fall 2023 edition).

  Never fear -- we are here to help!  

  • General Admissions Information
  • Important Timelines
  • Admitted Students Profile
  • Completing the Application
  • Tackling UCSF Essay Questions
  • Avoiding Pitfalls
  • Characteristics of Successful Applicants
  • Wednesday, September 27 , 4pm - 5pm (Pacific Time)
  • Friday, September 29 , 2pm - 3pm (Pacific Time)
  • Tuesday, November 21 , 3pm - 4pm (Pacific Time)
  • Wednesday, November 29 , 10am - 11am (Pacific Time)

pharmacy school interview essay

Friday, September 15, 2023

Join us for a virtual fair -- from the comfort of your own home.

AACP is excited to host the upcoming Virtual Pharmacy School Fair, a wonderful opportunity for prospective students, parents, and educators alike to explore the world of possibilities within pharmacy, all from the comfort of their own home. UCSF will have our own virtual booth! Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to kickstart your journey towards a fulfilling career in pharmacy. Whether you're a high school student exploring options or a college graduate ready to take the next step, the Virtual Pharmacy School Fair is your gateway to success. 📅 Date: September 20, 2023 ⏰ Time: 7am - 4pm PST (pop in and out as your schedule allows!) 🌐 Location: Online - Join from Anywhere!

pharmacy school interview essay

Fall 2023 Drop-in Hours. Let's Chat -- Virtually!

pharmacy school interview essay

  • Tuesday, September 19, 10am - 12pm (Pacific Time)
  • Tuesday, September 19, 4pm - 6pm (Pacific Time)
  • Friday, September 22, 10am - 12pm (Pacific Time)
  • Friday, September 22, 2pm - 4pm (Pacific Time)
  • Thursday, September 28, 10am - 12pm (Pacific Time)
  • Thursday, September 28, 2pm - 4pm (Pacific Time)

October 2023:

  • Wednesday, October 11,  10am - 12pm (Pacific Time)
  • Wednesday, October 11, 2pm - 4pm (Pacific Time)
  • Tuesday, October 17, 10am - 12pm (Pacific Time)
  • Tuesday, October 17, 2pm - 4pm (Pacific Time)
  • Tuesday, October 24, 10am - 12pm (Pacific Time)
  • Tuesday, October 24, 2pm - 4pm (Pacific Time)
  • Tuesday, October 31, 10am - 12pm (Pacific Time)
  • Tuesday, October 31, 4pm - 6pm (Pacific Time)

November 2023:

  • Friday, November 3, 10am - 12pm (Pacific Time)
  • Friday, November 3, 2pm - 4pm (Pacific Time)
  • Tuesday, November 7, 10am - 12pm (Pacific Time)
  • Tuesday, November 7, 2pm - 4pm (Pacific Time)
  • Thursday, November 9, 10am - 12pm (Pacific Time)
  • Thursday, November 9, 2pm - 4pm (Pacific Time)
  • Thursday, November 16, 10am - 12pm (Pacific Time)
  • Thursday, November 16, 2pm - 4pm (Pacific Time)
  • Tuesday, November 28, 10am - 12pm (Pacific Time)
  • Thursday, November 30, 10am - 12pm (Pacific Time)
  • Thursday, November 30, 2pm - 4pm (Pacific Time)

December 2023:

  • Dates/Times TBD 

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Student perspectives + student panels.

We recently held one of our regularly scheduled Student Panels and I was reminded of student profiles we have on our website.  I'll admit, I'm obsessed with reading profiles/bios. It's just a quick way to learn about others (or an organization) -- and, often times, provides different perspectives and experiences. While we had many older profiles on our site (which are still valuable so we kept them viewable!), we wanted to update the information by providing new perspectives from each of our three class levels. Valerie , Daisha , and Jaimie all agreed to share part of their stories. Check it out here !

pharmacy school interview essay

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Pharmd deadline structure - for entry in summer 2024.

  Note: The information below refers to the 2023-24 admissions cycle, for applicants who plan to enter our PharmD program in summer 2024. With the launch of the 2024 PharmD application on July 13, we want to share our deadline structure!  In addition to a  Final deadline of December 1, 2023 , we also have a  Priority deadline of October 2, 2023 . So what does this mean and how does it work?  Let me explain... Priority Deadline: October 2, 2023:

  • We encourage applicants to use the Priority deadline as a target date when submitting your application to our program.
  • Applicants who submit by the priority deadline, and whose application is verified and delivered to us by PharmCAS in a timely manner, may be invited to our November/December interviews.  
  • Submitting your application by the Priority deadline allows us time to resolve any application issues that arise. (You'd be surprised how many application issues surface. Often times, it results in a time-scramble where applicants end up running out of time to correct the issue.) Early submission allows more time to work with you in order to ensure your application is complete and ready for review!
  • Submitting your application by the Priority deadline allows for the possibility of an earlier interview and earlier admissions decision.
  • Submitting your application by the Priority deadline allows for more scheduling flexibility should your pre-assigned interview date not work for you. 
  • All applications must be submitted by the Final deadline, including: PharmCAS application  submitted , ALL college transcripts  received  by PharmCAS, and at least three letters of recommendation  received  by PharmCAS.
  • Applicants who submit by the final deadline, and whose application is verified and delivered to us by PharmCAS in a timely manner, may be invited to our January interviews.

Thursday, July 6, 2023

In their own words: philip.

(Note: I remembering meeting and interacting with Philip while he was an undergraduate student leader at UCR. Honestly, I was kind of intimidated by him because he was a little intense and always highly organized. I knew I had to be very prepared when interacting with him. Ha! See, it's not always students intimidated by Admissions reps -- it works both ways! I got to know Philip as a UCSF student and then, of course, as a member of our admissions committee. I always appreciated his enthusiasm, attention to detail, and focus as a committee member. We've had many conversations about admissions, life, and the future -- and I'm glad that he's continuing his training at UCSF beyond the PharmD program. P.S. I'm not intimidated by him anymore. 😃 )

pharmacy school interview essay

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University of Florida

Doctorate - Blended

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy PharmD Program runs a portion of its experiential office from the University Partnership Center, which is located at the St. Petersburg College Seminole Campus, carrying out administrative aspects of the office, supporting students in the local area, and hosting students on advanced practice rotations.  The full educational program is offered in Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Orlando, and utilizes distance education technologies such as web-based course materials, streaming video lectures, e-mail, and video-conference active learning sessions.  Students can complete their first two years of the Associate in Arts degree at SPC prior to entering the program, but would need to attend one of the campuses listed above if they are accepted.  Students interested in the program can obtain more information on their website.

http://pharmacy.ufl.edu/

pharmacy school interview essay

Broadcast

As you plan your visit to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, we encourage to review our 'Arriving at Our Hospital' page for helpful information about parking, discharge pick-up and valet services for patients, families and guests.

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Ashley M. Lockwood and Anita Vuong

Message from the Residency Leadership

Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital’s Postgraduate Year One (PGY1) Program is designed to develop independent clinical pharmacists through cultivating advanced knowledge and skills in clinical services, teaching, and research in the acute care setting.  Additionally, residents are prepared to enter the ever-changing healthcare landscape through furthering their leadership, mentoring, management, and professional abilities. Ultimately, our residents are granted opportunities to develop strong inter-professional relationships as well as participating daily within the interdisciplinary rounding healthcare team, to help improve the safety and effectiveness of the medication-use system.

Our PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program will augment the education provided by a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). It prepares dynamic clinical pharmacists to be responsible for the medication-related care of patients with diverse conditions, be eligible for board certification as well as Postgraduate Year Two pharmacy residency training if they so desire.

We invite you to reflect on our program and all it has to offer and consider joining our team to achieve your residency goals. We look forward to meeting you at the ASHP Midyear meeting and receiving your application through PhORCAS.

Ashley M Lockwood, PharmD, BCIDP Residency Program Director [email protected]

Anita Vuong, PharmD, BCPS Residency Program Coordinator [email protected]

Pharmacy Residency

ER Wait Times

Information will update every 5 minutes. ER Wait Times are approximate and provided for informational purposes only. Estimated Wait Times as of:  Wednesday, August 28, 2024 7:53 AM  

Distance(Use My Location) Wait Time
Orlando Health - Health Central Hospital 6 min
Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children 6 min
Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital Emergency Room 10 min
Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital 3 min
Orlando Health Emergency Room - Blue Cedar 17 min
Orlando Health Emergency Room - Crossroads 0 min
Orlando Health Emergency Room - Four Corners 2 min
Orlando Health Emergency Room - Lake Mary 6 min
Orlando Health Emergency Room - Osceola 2 min
Orlando Health Emergency Room - Pinellas Park 9 min
Orlando Health Emergency Room - Randal Park 0 min
Orlando Health Emergency Room - Reunion Village 5 min
Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital 0 min
Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center 5 min
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital 3 min
Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital 7 min
Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital 3 min

Reaviz medical university

+7(910)737-2741

[email protected]

Pharmacy – Saint Petersburg

Higher education institution “REAVIZ” in St. Petersburg invites you to enroll in pharmacy school. Students enrolled in this specialization, learn how drugs are made, what are the methods of storage and sale rules. Upon completion of training graduates receive a state diploma with the qualification “Pharmacist”. Educational Institute of Pharmacy program is designed for: 5 years (full-time); 3,5 or 4 years (part-time form); 6 years (by correspondence). In addition, we have an individual form of training. Classes are held in small groups. Pay more attention to the study of certain subjects. Education students at the Institute of Pharmacy is made in the following areas: Total pharmaceutical practice. Organization and management. Testing and licensing activity. Outreach. The science. On the basis of “REAVIZ” University students can undergo practical training for procurement, acceptance, production of medicines, as well as on the organization of pharmaceutical activities in drugstores and other businesses. The University is located at: St. Petersburg, Kondratievsky Avenue, d. 72A. In the course of training in the specialty “Dentistry” students acquire theoretical knowledge on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of various diseases of the mouth. Practical exercises are conducted using phantoms on which various treatments practiced skills. During the course the student is: Practice as a nurse assistant (2 weeks). Practical work in the status of an assistant of a dentist general practitioner, surgeon and podiatrist (for each of the areas for 72 hours). Practice as a pediatric dentist assistant (72 hours). Upon completion of training in the specialty “Dentistry” the students tested by the State Certification Commission. Upon successful completion of the test the students are awarded the qualification “dentist”. The University is located at: St. Petersburg, Kondratievsky Avenue, d. 72A.

World Health Organization

REAVIZ Medical University © 2002-2020

pharmacy school interview essay

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pharmacy school interview essay

St. Petersburg Location

Serving St Pete and surrounding areas. Free pharmacy deliveries. Friendly and helpful staff for all your medication needs.

Bailey’s Pharmacy 3065 34th St N Suite B St. Petersburg, FL 33713

Phone: 727-256-1410 Fax:727-256-1417

Hours of Operation

Monday 9am – 5pm Tuesday 9am – 5pm Wednesday 9am – 5pm Thursday 9am – 5pm Friday 9am – 5pm Sat – Sun Closed

St Petersburg

Bailey’s Pharmacy is a family-owned business that is committed to providing compassion and care to each and every person we serve. We service Assisted Living Facilities, Group Homes, Individual Patients, and Contract Facilities. Our mission is to provide exceptional and quality pharmaceutical products and services.

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Contact Info

954-766-4090

[email protected]

https://baileypharmacy.com/

Women's Owned Business

COMMENTS

  1. 41 Pharmacy School Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

    Get ready for your interview with some common pharmacy school interview questions and example answers to help you prepare and boost your chances of success.

  2. Admissions Step 3: Interview Process

    Admissions Step 3: Interview Process For the 2023-24 admissions cycle, UCSF School of Pharmacy will conduct remote/virtual admissions interviews for all candidates invited to interview. All interviews will be held December 2023 through January 2024.

  3. 30 Pharmacy School Interview Questions

    Get ready for your interview with these 30 pharmacy school interview questions. We cover pharmacy school sample interview questions with answers here.

  4. Pharmacy School Interview Tips with Sample Interview Questions and

    Get ready for your pharmacy school interview with tips and sample questions. Dress for success and ace the interview process.

  5. 100 Pharmacy School Interview Questions

    Start practicing using these 100 challenging pharmacy school interview questions for both traditional and MMI format interviews.

  6. 25 Common Pharmacy School Interview Questions for Students

    The pharmacy school admissions experience can be both exciting and challenging. Prepare for your pharmacy school interview with our prep guide.

  7. 9 Practice Pharmacy School Interview Questions

    To help you prepare, below are 10 practice pharmacy school interview questions. Why do you want to become a pharmacist? Describe your interest in the field and the meaningful purpose you see in the job. What motivates you to make this career choice? Show them that you don't wear rose-colored glasses and you understand how challenging the ...

  8. How to Prepare for a Pharmacy School Interview

    The pharmacy school interview is a critical component of the pharmacy school admission process. How do you prepare for a pharmacy school interview? It is a question every prospective student should consider. By researching more about the school and preparing yourself mentally, you will be confident and ready when the big day comes.

  9. How to Write a Compelling Pharmacy School Personal Statement

    What is the Best Format for a Personal Statement for Pharmacy School? Think of your personal statement as a narrative essay outlining how you got to where you are today, as well as where you want to go next. Within this story, relate back to pharmaceuticals and medicine and healthcare fields in an organic way.

  10. How to Approach the On-Site Essay

    One aspect of the pharmacy interviews will include a written on-site essay. The purpose of this assessment is to determine the candidate's ability to effectively communicate, problem solve, and critical thinking skills. Expect to have roughly 30-60 minutes to brainstorm and write your essay.

  11. Nailing the Pharmacy School Interview & Getting Accepted

    After filling our your pharmacy school application, the next step is interviewing. And interviews can be stressful, especially when the on-site pharmacy school interview is a critical part of the admissions process. By following the below steps, you'll be one step closer to being accepted into pharmacy school.

  12. 4 Tips for Your Pharmacy School Interview

    The pharmacy school interview is a crucial component of the application process. Learn what to expect and how to prepare for your interview.

  13. Writing the Personal Statement for Pharmacy School: A 5 Step Checklist

    1) Determining the Narrative. When writing a pharmacy school personal statement, the most common pitfall students experience is the need for more effort placed into their writing. While your grades may be exceptional, and your letters of recommendation prove that your student-teacher relationships are healthy and you are a pleasure to have in ...

  14. Pharmacy School Interview

    After completing your pharmacy school interview, admissions decisions are provided within a few weeks as long as application materials have been submitted. Tip: Make an appointment to learn more about what you can expect during your pharmacy school interview. We are the oldest pharmacy school in Virginia, tracing our roots back to 1898.

  15. Interview Essay Question Preparation for pharmacy schools

    Does anyone have advices for Interview Essay Question Preparation or know interview essay questions? (Im applying to pharmacy schools in CA, so if you know their questions, I would really appreciate!) Is there an guide book or practice book for interview essay questions? Members don't see this ad.

  16. Pharm.D. Admissions Blog

    What to Expect in Your Interview If selected, applicants are invited to interview for the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program.

  17. Pharmacy School Interview Writing Portion

    Pharmacy School Interview Writing Portion Paul Tran Pharmacist 16.4K subscribers Subscribed 52 13K views 11 years ago My PCAT Study Recommendations: https://amzn.to/2IppDGE https://amzn.to/2GCn2KN ...

  18. Reports From The Pharm

    🔬 Why Attend? 🔬 🎓 Explore Top Pharmacy Programs: Connect with leading pharmacy schools from across the country and learn about their cutting-edge programs, faculty, and facilities. 📚 Admission Guidance: Get guidance on the application process, prerequisites, and requirements for pharmacy school admission.

  19. Pharmacy || St. Petersburg College

    The University of Florida College of Pharmacy PharmD Program runs a portion of its experiential office from the University Partnership Center, which is located at the St. Petersburg College Seminole Campus, carrying out administrative aspects of the office, supporting students in the local area, and hosting students on advanced practice rotations. The full educational program is offered in ...

  20. Pharmacy Residency

    Our PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program will augment the education provided by a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). It prepares dynamic clinical pharmacists to be responsible for the medication-related care of patients with diverse conditions, be eligible for board certification as well as Postgraduate Year Two pharmacy residency training if they so ...

  21. Pharmacy

    Higher education institution "REAVIZ" in St. Petersburg invites you to enroll in pharmacy school. Students enrolled in this specialization, learn how drugs are made, what are the methods of storage and sale rules. Upon completion of training graduates receive a state diploma with the qualification "Pharmacist". Educational Institute of Pharmacy program is designed for: 5...

  22. Bailey Pharmacy

    Free pharmacy deliveries. Friendly and helpful staff for all your medication needs. Bailey's Pharmacy. 3065 34th St N Suite B. St. Petersburg, FL 33713. Phone: 727-256-1410. Fax:727-256-1417.