Have a Pharmacy School Interview Coming Up: Need Help Preparing

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redbetta

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So, I have my first interview for pharmacy school and this is for my number one school of choice. I is coming up January 8th. I never did an interview for a school or a job before, so I have no idea how to go about doing it. I asked my cousin who got in to this school what her interview was like and they just asked her why pharmacy and why this school in particular. However, she said other people had harder interviewers.

So, I have some questions.
  1. What other sorts of questions they could ask?
  2. How to I go about answering “why pharmacy?” I just want a stable job with a good income that I believe I can do well. But, I imagine that answer would not be satisfactory, like I need to have some sort of passion for pharmacy.
  3. If they offer me anything to eat or drink while waiting for the interview, should I accept?
Any other advice? Thank you in advance.
 
I don’t really know a lot about job interviews (I’m 14!) but for number 3, If they offer you something you should probably take it (and complement them on it). Overall, just be very polite and be your self (don’t appear fake/don’t try to be someone you’re not because they will sense this and not like it)

At least this is what Ive heard-hope this helps!
 
Congratulations on your interview!
redbetta said:
How to I go about answering “why pharmacy?” I just want a stable job with a good income that I believe I can do well. But, I imagine that answer would not be satisfactory, like I need to have some sort of passion for pharmacy.
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Put a positive spin on it. Something along the lines of you believe you have an aptitude for pharmacy and you’d like to show them that by being accepted into the school. You like the fact there are good career opportunities available to you in the area.
redbetta said:
If they offer me anything to eat or drink while waiting for the interview, should I accept?
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I don’t see why not. If you’re anything like me, you’ll get a dry mouth during an interview so a drink may be helpful 😄
redbetta said:
Any other advice?
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Be confident. Remember, you already have an interview so they must believe you’re capable to get in and do everything required of you. Make eye contact, smile, have a firm handshake. Don’t be afraid to take a few seconds to consider your answer to their questions. If you’re offered a drink in the interview it may be a good idea to accept and take a few sips whilst you think of an answer. Definitely do some background research into the school. At the end of the interview, thank them for their time and ask if it would be possible to get some interview feedback.

They may also ask you if you have any questions for them. It may be a good idea to think of a couple before you go in.

Best of luck, Redbetta! I’m sure you’ll do fine.
 
Google “pharmacy school interview questions” and links to both questions you might be asked and some suggested questions you might want to ask will display in the search results.

Also Google “preparing for a pharmacy school interview”.

Go to you tube and watch “how to interview” videos.

As for offers of refreshments, I usually offer candidates for job interviews a bottle or glass of water. I think it’s fine to accept a glass of water or coffee. I’ve never offered a candidate food.
 
  1. Water, you might have a dry, mouth. Otherwise, not unless it is in a group setting.
  2. Why pharmacy? Give this some thought. There are many professions that offer stability and income. It is part of an overall thought out response. Do you like science, chemistry, biology, math. Pharmacy offers the opportunity to integrate these sciences. Think about the patient centered aspect. There is the opportunity to help people understand their disease state, proper place and use of drugs in treatment, interactions providing education to other health care professionals.
  3. It’s has been too long to enumerate any pharmacy specific questions, aside from above. Think of some general questions where your actions can demonstrate your compassion, strengths, and integrity.
Best wishes.
 
Does pharmacy require a lot of math? I absolutely hate math, so this is getting me concerned.
 
Not particularly difficult or advanced math. Have you had basic chemistry (qual, quant, organic, etc.), and elementary physics? Not too much more. Pharmacokinetics utilizes more integrative functions, but it isn’t anything a person can’t handle. I wouldn’t sweat it😁.
 
Yeah, I’ve had all that. I’m mostly bad at statistics and sequences in calculus. Integration and derivation is fine.
 
Stats are needed, but not intensely used. Think of evaluating the validity of a study, or understand number needed to treat.

I remember my pharmacy calculations instructor saying, it’s a lot more common sense, 1+2=3, right? He was being a little sarcastic, but there’s truth to it
 
Looking over some common pharmacy school interview questions, I’m worried about them asking me if there was ever a time I was in a leadership position or resolved a conflict in a group. I don’t remember any time I was in that sort of position.
 
College is replete with group projects. You never had to negotiate within a group project context?
 
I agree with whoever said to have an answer prepared when they ask if you have any questions. Definitely have one. Something about the program, or the facilities or something. My daughter went to many interviews for her doctorate internship and said most of the time in the group interview/orientation part, no one ever asked anything, except her. The interviewers also appreciate follow up thank you emails for the interview, btw.
 
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