Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 155 responses
Score Reference:
9โ10 Exceptional8โ8.9 Very Good7โ7.9 Good6โ6.9 Mixed< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school as average compared to other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most respondents rank this school above other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the areaโs cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
๐ฌ Interview Questions โผ
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about how students would group a set number of individuals, personal weaknesses and methods for improvement, interests outside of school or work, willingness to take new medications, knowledge of healthcare topics like CNCP, views on professionalism and Universal Health Care, reasons for pursuing pharmacy, experiences with team-based learning and leadership, and specific motivations for choosing a particular school. Some respondents mentioned a nondisclosure agreement due to an MMI format.
If I was to open a pharmacy school and had 100 students, how would I group them into 20 groups? For example: geographic....
Students said the most interesting questions asked at California Northstate College of Pharmacy discussed a wide range of topics, from ethical dilemmas like filling prescriptions to personal values and leadership scenarios. The interviews may have been in an MMI format, as multiple respondents mentioned scenarios involving cheating, dividing groups, and addressing issues in healthcare, possibly under a nondisclosure agreement.
If I can be a leader, who will I choose to be my fellowers. Giving 3 cards to choose from and why.
If there was a lady who came in with her husband, and both had a certain disease but only prescription for the wife, would you fill twice the prescription for them (if they asked)?
Students said most difficult question asked at California Northstate College of Pharmacy discussed situational ethics, confrontations with wrongdoing, applying leadership skills, overcoming obstacles, and team-based learning interactions. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview), possibly subject to a nondisclosure agreement based on responses, with questions focusing on personal experiences and ethical dilemmas.
Most respondents had an interview of more than 50 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 2 people.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had an open file interview.
Was this interview in-person or virtual?
Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.
No responses
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by utilizing Student Doctor Network (SDN) resources, practicing mock interviews, reviewing interview questions online, and researching the school's website. Many also focused on practicing answers to potential questions and familiarizing themselves with the program and interview process.
SDN, visit their website, get to know their program. One week prior to interview, they emailed the interviewees an article. Read it ahead of time and be prepared to take a personal and a group quiz.
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendly and welcoming faculty and students, as well as the team-based learning activities during the interview process. They enjoyed the informative question and answer sessions with current students and appreciated the positive attitude and enthusiasm demonstrated by the school community.
Everyone was really nice and believed in their program. They helped foster a low stress environment during the interview process. The TBL exercise was a fun activity. The QA with the current students was very informative.
The Dean showed up and spent lots of time with the students during the team-based learning exercise. The student/faculty relationship. Everyone was very friendly and close.
TBL is great, school located in a nice, new area of Rancho Cordova. The students we met were excellent representatives, quite knowledgable. School emphasizes clinical+research, and laptops are required for all students.
Applicants were commonly unimpressed by the length of the interview day, lack of accreditation, high interest rates on loans, inadequate facilities, and lack of campus amenities. Suggestions included improving the interview process, obtaining accreditation, providing more affordable financing options, enhancing facilities, and adding campus amenities.
The student interview felt like a "good cop" and "bad cop" interrogation type of setting. One was very nice and smiled, the other didn't crack a smile and didn't really have a reaction to my answers.
The program is still new and some of the rooms are still empty. The facilities aren't the greatest and its pretty much an office building. Since they weren't accredited by WASC, we would have to take out private loans for our first year there. None of their students are currently involved with any research with the faculty.
The campus is just a two-story building like a commercial business lease. The library is not much a library but just one small room with few books. There is no gym or other amenities for that matter, things that you would hope to take advantage of for paying the tuition. But this is not a big deal; after all, we are there for the PharmD degree.
The interviewers have no idea of my resume. I am a very non-traditional student and have a very different background. however, it seems like the intrviewers have no idea about my resume and P.S. All questions are general, no specific to my resume.
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the varying interview formats and questions, the length of the interview day, the lack of provided food, and the importance of bringing snacks. Many also mentioned the surprise elements in the interview process, such as the Taboo game and individual team-based learning tests, and emphasized the need to be prepared for a long day and practice oral communication skills.
There is a Taboo game at the end of the interview. Giving shape or letter to describe them for other blind fold person to answers.
My interviewers never asked me why pharmacy, tell me about yourself, and why CNCP. They jumped right into my file and to situational/critical thinking questions.
Wish I would have known my interview would not include the "why CNCP?" and "why be a pharmacist?" types of questions... oh, and armrests on chairs may be uncomfortably high
How general the questions would be; so it's really in your hands of what you want to bring up for discussion/conversation. So just relax and practice on the oral communication skills. I think that's what they are mainly looking for.
That they are going to split you in groups and you might interview the first thing in the morning or the last thing in the afternoon. Luckily I got my interview over in the morning but I felt bad for those who had to interview in the afternoon. They couldn't really relax during the video presentations and such.
Applicants commonly shared feedback about being themselves during interviews, avoiding scripted responses, and feeling positive about the school's potential and atmosphere. Suggestions included being genuine, preparing for articulation, and noting the importance of financial aid and interview timing.
Just be yourself, students interview was nice and very helpful. Ask many questions!!!
I felt that my responses were too scripted. Be wary of memorizing your answers and spewing them out verbatim. It happens more easily that you think when you're nervous.
They have some research facilities down the street, but we weren't able to see them. They provide you with Mexican food for lunch. They have plenty of beverages and snacks for you throughout the day. The people there that day were very nice and welcoming. The TBL wasn't used as a tool to determine if you will be accepted. Its just there to give you a taste of how the classes will be like. I barely read the article they emailed us and did fine in the TBL. Some people wrote up lots of notes and printed out additional information from the web about their article. There's no need to because you're not allowed to use any of it for most of the TBL exercise. The writing prompt for my interview was: "If a doctor asked you substitute a placebo for a painkiller because the doctor felt the patient was addicted to it and lying about their pain, would you?"
My interview group was the first following the TBL, and they didn't give us the whole 30 min. Would have been nice to have the time to receive and give a few more questions.
I didn't think I would like this school but after my interview Northstate moved up my list pharmacy schools I would like to attend. I truly believe they can become one of the best pharmacy schools in California.
Seems like a nice little school. The Dean seems knowledgeable, friendly and helpful to his students. However I'm very turned off by the financial aid situation. With all those investors, they ought to give out some scholarships to attract more academically, higher achieving students
Some interviews were only 20mins long. Mine lasted for 45 mins because I was in the last group and I was the last to leave within my group. I had a few questions to ask them and they didn't rushed their answers although we both knew the alloted time was up. Just relax and be genuine. Practice on the articulation.
I felt like the interviewers were more interested in grilling me with tough questions than trying to get to know me. I received my acceptance letter a week and half later though, so I think I answered their questions well.
They say the interviews with each group is 30 mins, but it's only really 15mins with a lot of waiting in between. These people are also really oriented towards extra-curricular involvement, whether it be in clubs or community service.
I was impressed with the school after the interview and tour. They have a 6 yr lease on the current two story building, with the 2nd level under construction. About 50% of faculty possess Ph.D./Pharm.D. Interview was split into two sections: morning group 8AM-12:30PM and 12:30-4PM. Morning group had approx 21 candidates split into 4 groups (for the TBL exercise). Two were from out of state (OR and NC), one from Norcal, the rest from SoCal.
I felt good with my interview. The interviewers were really nice and asked questions to know more about you rather then to grill you. I did get accepted three weeks later so I guess I did ok.
The students are very nice and I believe they will become good pharmacist because I work with some of them in a pharmacy. however, the interviewers should be more professional.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest streamlining the interview process, ensuring consistency in questions asked, and providing faster admissions decisions post-interview. Additionally, there is a strong preference for phone communication over email for quicker responses.
Shorten the Interview process? maybe the 1 hour asking financial and students questions....
before interview, interviewer inform me that they will stress me with the questions . Most of the questions center around how to "chose a basketball team & why you hate the other team so much?" has nothing to do with pharmacy. My friends did interview at the same time did not received the same questions, so it seem the school is not consistence with the questions so it up to the interview. ALso, the interviewer also asked me if I have stress in my family? -it none of your business & does not relate to pharmacy. SO as you can see I did not have nice day.
To speed up the admissions process after the interview. They told us it'll take 6-8 weeks until they decide if we're accepted. Also the interview day is a bit long taking 6 hours to complete.