20 Questions

Questions to Ask During Pharmacy School Interview

Strategic questions to ask during pharmacy school interviews that demonstrate your interest, gather important information, and help you evaluate if the program is right for you.

1

What makes this pharmacy program unique compared to other programs, and what are your key differentiators?

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Why this works

Shows you've done your research while revealing the program's competitive advantages and unique features.

2

What clinical rotation opportunities are available, and how are students matched with rotation sites?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your interest in hands-on learning while revealing the quality and variety of clinical experiences available.

3

How does the program prepare students for the evolving role of pharmacists in healthcare?

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Why this works

Shows awareness of pharmacy's changing landscape while revealing how the program adapts to industry trends.

4

What research opportunities exist for students, and how can I get involved in faculty research projects?

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Why this works

Demonstrates interest in research while revealing opportunities for academic engagement and faculty collaboration.

5

How does the program support students' preparation for the NAPLEX and other licensing exams?

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Why this works

Shows practical thinking about career preparation while revealing the program's commitment to student success.

6

What career services and job placement support does the program provide for graduates?

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Why this works

Reveals the program's investment in student outcomes and helps you understand post-graduation support.

7

How does the program address the growing importance of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare?

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Why this works

Shows understanding of modern healthcare while revealing how the program prepares students for team-based care.

8

What opportunities exist for students to specialize in areas like clinical pharmacy, research, or industry?

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Why this works

Demonstrates career planning while revealing the program's flexibility and specialization options.

9

How does the program stay current with new drugs, technologies, and pharmacy practice trends?

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Why this works

Shows your interest in staying current while revealing the program's commitment to cutting-edge education.

10

What is the faculty-to-student ratio, and how accessible are professors for mentoring and support?

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Why this works

Reveals the learning environment and helps you understand the level of individual attention available.

11

How does the program handle the transition from undergraduate to professional-level coursework?

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Why this works

Shows awareness of the academic challenge while revealing support systems for student success.

12

What opportunities exist for students to participate in professional organizations and conferences?

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Why this works

Demonstrates interest in professional development while revealing networking and learning opportunities.

13

How does the program address the business and management aspects of pharmacy practice?

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Why this works

Shows understanding of pharmacy's business side while revealing preparation for practice management.

14

What support systems are in place for students who may struggle academically or personally?

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Why this works

Reveals the program's commitment to student success and helps you understand available support resources.

15

How does the program prepare students for different career paths in pharmacy, from retail to clinical to industry?

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Why this works

Shows career awareness while revealing the program's breadth and flexibility in career preparation.

16

What opportunities exist for students to work with underserved populations or in community health settings?

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Why this works

Demonstrates interest in public health while revealing opportunities for meaningful community engagement.

17

How does the program incorporate technology and informatics into the pharmacy curriculum?

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Why this works

Shows awareness of pharmacy's digital transformation while revealing preparation for technology-driven practice.

18

What is the program's approach to teaching critical thinking and problem-solving skills?

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Why this works

Demonstrates understanding of essential skills while revealing how the program develops clinical reasoning.

19

How does the program prepare students for the ethical challenges they'll face in pharmacy practice?

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Why this works

Shows awareness of professional responsibilities while revealing the program's approach to ethics education.

20

What would you say are the program's greatest strengths and areas for improvement?

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Why this works

Demonstrates critical thinking while revealing honest insights about the program's current state and future direction.

Mastering Pharmacy School Interview Conversations

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Show Knowledge of Pharmacy Trends

Demonstrate awareness of current issues in pharmacy, healthcare, and the evolving role of pharmacists.

Ask About Career Preparation

Show interest in how the program prepares students for different career paths and professional success.

Understand the Learning Environment

Ask about class size, faculty accessibility, and support systems to assess if the program fits your learning style.

Question Sequences

The Program Assessment

1
What makes this program unique?
2
What are your key differentiators?
3
What are the program's greatest strengths?
4
What areas are you working to improve?

The Career Preparation

1
How do you prepare students for different career paths?
2
What clinical rotation opportunities exist?
3
What career services do you provide?
4
How do you support NAPLEX preparation?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Ask Generic Questions

Avoid questions easily answered by the website. Show you've done specific research about their program.

Don't Focus Only on Rankings

While prestige matters, focus on fit and specific opportunities rather than just asking about rankings or reputation.

Don't Sound Desperate

Frame questions as mutual evaluation rather than desperate attempts to get accepted. Show you have options.

Conversation Templates

The Program Explorer

1
Step 1: Start with: "I'm particularly interested in understanding..."
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What makes this program unique?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "What are your key differentiators?"
4
Step 4: Connect with: "What are the program's greatest strengths?"

The Career Focus

1
Step 1: Start with: "I'm thinking about my career preparation..."
2
Step 2: Follow with: "How do you prepare students for different career paths?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "What clinical rotation opportunities exist?"
4
Step 4: Connect with: "What career services do you provide?"

Further Reading

"Pharmacy School Admissions Guide" by Dr. Paul Jung
"The Pharmacy Student's Guide to Success" by Dr. Michael Hogue
"Pharmacy Practice Today" by Dr. William Zellmer

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