When you’re interviewing for your desired pharmacy school, you always want to come prepared to ask well-thought out questions for your interviewers. The interview process isn’t just for the school to meet you, but for you to feel out the school. Pharmacy is anywhere from 3 to 6 years, depending on when you start, and you want to make sure you’re picking the right program for your educational needs.
Plus by asking great questions to your interviewers, you’ll easily stand out from the crowd because a lot of applicants forget to ask questions! You don’t want to ask questions that are easily found on the program’s website or that are superficial in nature (aka don’t ask someone how much they make). And make sure to do your research before your interview that way you know what information you still need to find out.
You want to ask questions that show your interest in the pharmacy profession and show how serious you are in the program without being too extreme. Here are some examples of some questions that would be perfect for your pharmacy school interview:
What opportunities are there for student leadership?
This question shows your interviewer that you’re interested in becoming a leader in the pharmacy profession and shows your understanding of the role of a pharmacist in the healthcare team. Plus by asking about leadership positions, you’re showing to your interviewer that you are willing to take on more responsibility beyond coursework, which is really important for an interviewer to see.
I am interested in doing research during my time in school. Are there any research opportunities for students to get involved in?
Research is super important in the healthcare team because medicine is continuedly changing based off new findings in the literature. Almost every professor at the college of pharmacy is involved in research, and it’s a great way to build up your resume for future job opportunities. Don’t be scared of research if it’s something that you’ve never done before. You can always learn!
What type of students do the best in this type of school environment?
Finding the perfect pharmacy program for you is just as important for the college because they want all of their students to be successful in the program. Asking exactly the type of the student the program is looking for allows you to show your interviewer how you fit the bill and vice versa. You also might want to ask whether or not there are support systems or study groups to help students be successful in their career, especially if you’re going to need that for personal growth.
What made you decide that you wanted to be a pharmacist?
I love asking any pharmacist that I meet this question because it really puts a new preceptive on what drives people and a different view about the pharmacy profession. It also allows you to have a personal conversation with your interviewer that can help relax you in your interview and be more comfortable.
What is the hardest and easiest part of your job as a pharmacist?
Again, a really great question to ask your interviewer because it allows you to get more comfortable and gives the interviewer the chance to talk about themselves. Plus this question can give you some insight on what it is like being a pharmacist and if it’s something that you still want to pursue.
Where are some of your recent graduates employed at?
By asking this type of question, it can show your interviewer that you are already looking into your future career as a pharmacist and are generally interested to see what the alumni from this program are doing. Having a PharmD degree can really open a wealth of doors for career opportunities and it’s a great idea to open up your eyes of everything you can do one day.
Questions about your career field that you are interested in within the pharmacy profession.
This goes with the question above about asking questions about the profession and the different career paths that you can take. Plus by asking this questions, it shows your interviewer your curiosity to know about pharmacy and your desire to do more than just attend college.
What types scholarships are available for pharmacy students to help with the tuition burden?
Pharmacy school is an expensive adventure and being able to supplement student loans with scholarships can make a big difference in the long run. Asking about those opportunities at the beginning is a great way to show your interviewer that you are serious about your education and that you are planning to do well in the program.
Your pharmacy school interview is a great opportunity to prove yourself to your interviewer and for you to learn more about the program. Asking great questions near the end of the interview is going to make you look more professional and polished and leave an awesome lasting impression on your interviewer. But regardless, the best advice that I can give you is be calm and be confident in your abilities and in your resume and allow your personality shine through your interview. Best of luck!
You may also like: 3 Study Tips to Ace the PCAT, How to Ace Your Pharmacy or Medical School Interview, and How I Gained Pharmacy Experience As A Freshmen in College
