Big Rapids, MI
Pharmacy Schools | Public Non-Profit
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
6.8
Mixed
Mixed experience; organization and communication appear average with varied impressions and occasional stress.
Based on 22 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 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 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 rank this school as average compared to 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 area’s cultural life as average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include scenarios about working in different settings, handling criticism, assisting individuals with language barriers, aiding those from diverse backgrounds, and addressing challenges in problem-solving. Some respondents mentioned questions related to experiences of helping others and seeking help when faced with uncertainty. No mentions of an MMI format or nondisclosure agreements were provided in the responses.
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As a pharmacist, what are the different settings you could work in and what would you be doing?
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Describe a time that someone criticized you and what you did to overcome it. (I couldn't think of a specific time right off the top of my head, so I talked about how on exams professors will sometimes right notes on your paper next to answers that you got wrong to try to help you along..and how that can be used to improve for next time)
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Tell us about an experience when you had to help someone who didn't know how to speak English.
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Describe a time when you helped someone who was different than yourself (ie: different race, religion, ect)?
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what do you do when you don't know how to do/solve something?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Ferris State University College of Pharmacy discussed various scenarios such as teaching a dance move or a stretch related to Zumba, demonstrating how to kick a ball like in soccer for patient counseling, and detailing the process of brushing teeth. These questions indicate a focus on communication skills, patient education, and practical demonstrations, which are common in medical school interviews.
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Teach me something.
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I mentioned that I like to do Zumba in my free time (another one of the questions were "what do you do for fun outside of school, and if so, do you take a leadership role in any of your activites?" ) So I think this question was a spin-off from me mentioning how I like Zumba... but she asked for me explain how I would talk someone through a specific dance move or a certain type of stretch that is doen in Zumba
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They asked me what was one of my hobbies which I said playing soccer. They asked me if I could demonstrate how I would teach someone how to kick a ball since pharmacy is big on counseling the patients on how to take their meds.
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Describe how you brush your teeth.
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describe how you brush your teeth
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Ferris State University College of Pharmacy discussed scenarios related to diversity, such as working with individuals from different ethnic backgrounds in a group setting. Some responses indicated challenges in recalling specific instances due to a belief in treating everyone equally despite their backgrounds. These questions likely reflect the school's emphasis on diversity and collaboration skills.
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None were difficult
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What makes Ferris a school that you'd want to attend/why Ferris? either that or, describe a time where you had to work with people in a group project that were of different ethnicities and any challenges that you may have faced. It was just hard because I feel that I work with people of different ethnicities all the time but don't really realize that they are of different backgrounds..we're all just PEOPLE in general, we shouldn't be segregated in that way. So it was difficult to think of a specific scenario let alone challenges that we were faced with because of that.
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Same as above.
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The diversity one
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same as the most interesting
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 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 a closed 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?
Applicants commonly prepared for their interviews by utilizing online resources like Student Doctor Network for sample questions, conducting mock interviews at home for practice, and reviewing potential questions regularly to develop well-thought-out answers. Some also engaged in structured mock interviews offered by their school's career center for additional practice and feedback.
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Student Doctor Network questions
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Looking up sites like these... This site is very helpful, especially with the search engine to search for any potential interview question. Also just typing in "pharmacy interview questions" on google to see other questiosn that popped up. and prepparing answers to questions in my head/writing down notes in a word document to look over every couple of days to generate more ideas.
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Mock interviews at home
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I took part in a mock interview made available in the career center at my school (didn't help at all)
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendly and welcoming staff and interviewers, who created a relaxed and enjoyable interview experience. They appreciated the kindness and helpfulness of the individuals they interacted with during the admissions process.
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Staff and interviewers were very nice and made the interview relaxed and enjoyable
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The two interviewers were VERY kind, one was a P4 student and one taught clinical rotations.
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The admissions staff was very friendly and so was the faculty member who interviewed me.
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The interviewers were very nice
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the people were incredibly friendly and helpful, and the tour helped a lot.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negativity about the outdated facilities compared to other schools, the lack of a tour showcasing the school's strengths, the absence of diversity, long waiting times for admission decisions, and limited interactions due to school breaks. Suggestions included updating facilities, offering more informative tours, increasing diversity, improving communication regarding admission timelines, and ensuring availability of staff for interactions even during breaks.
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Facilities were very old compared to other schools
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Kind of wished there was a tour of the school, or that they "showed off" the cool parts of the school..and why their pharmacy program is so great.
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The school's lack of diversity. No tour of the facilities.
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Long time to hear if I was admitted or not
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not much.. maybe a lack of diversity? but it's hard to say that since the school was on spring break and no one was there.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants wish they had known ahead of time that interviews may not follow the typical "Tell me about yourself" format, and that being prepared for a variety of questions is key. Additionally, knowing logistical details such as the number of interviewers and the location of additional tours can help alleviate stress and better prepare for the interview process.
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It's a closed file interview so I was a expecting a "So tell me about yourself" type of first question.... but they didn't do that. Since we did our essay immediately before the interview, the first question they asked related to my essay question, so it was a good lead in to start the interview and on a good note. Also they were very nonchalant about asking why I wanted to go into pharmacy. I was worried it was going to be very intimidating and I'd need to have all my reasons lined up. But it wasn't like that. They were taking notes on what I was saying which also made it more laid back and casual and not just staring at each other the whole time. It went by quickly, just answered questions as they would write notes about my answers.
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That I would be interviewing with one faculty member and two p4 students would be in the room taking notes. It was more nerve wracking to me with more people in the room. Also, you do your first two years at the big rapids campus. On your third year you can choose to go to the Kalamazoo or Big Rapids campus.
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Try to be ready for any question. Think of every single possible thing they can ask you and what your response will be.
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that I had to drive to the campus for the additional tour (I guess I assumed there was a shuttle or something - which is my fault), since the interview is held at a hotel nearby the campus.
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly shared feedback on the interview experience, noting initial nerves that subsided as the process progressed, emphasizing the importance of preparation, professionalism, and seeking insights from previous interviewees to anticipate questions and approach.
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I felt like my stomach was in knots and I was sooooooooo nervous about this interview but it definitely wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be at all. Once you get past the first interview question they kind of flow, and it's easier to just talk and explain your answers without feeling so tense.
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When you come in, you can pretty much start the process right away. You do a written essay for thirty minutes and then wait for your interview. After that, there is an optional presentation of the curriculum you can attend. That was it.
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Wear a suit, nothing else will suffice. Don't talk about partying while in the waiting area with the other people interviewing - people did this at my interview and it is beyond stupid, you never know who is listening to you. Find people who interviewed on a prior date and ask them the questions that the interviewers asked, I did this and knew 90% of what they were going to ask me.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office should improve facilities, provide tours of the campus during the application process, and ensure timely communication regarding admission decisions.
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Facilities could be updated
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Tour of school in the 30 minute presentation following the interview portion of the day.
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Give a tour of the campus.
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Admission letters were sent out way after the date that the secretary told me.
📍 On-Site Experience ▼
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in state students.
What were your total hours spent traveling?
Most respondents spent 0-1 hour traveling to the interview.
What was your primary mode of travel?
Most respondents traveled by automobile to the interview.
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
Most respondents spent less than $100.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
No responses
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
Country Inn
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Country Inn
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
Would you recommend the hotel?
Most respondents would recommend their hotel.
What are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
All Responses
| Application Cycle ▿ | Impression | Performance | Interview Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2011-12 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | No change 😐 | Poor | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
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