Big Rapids, MI
Pharmacy Schools | Public Non-Profit
Going on an interview at FERRIS-PHARM? Add your feedback to help others!
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
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.
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
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include scenarios where candidates need to describe helping someone in a medical setting or overcoming criticism, discuss their motivation for pursuing pharmacy, and outline the different pharmacy settings and roles. Some respondents may have experienced an MMI format with potential non-disclosure agreements due to references to nondisclosure and specific MMI-related questions.
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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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Why did you choose Ferris?
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Why do you want to be a pharmacist?
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Describe a scenario where you helped someone in a medical setting (she said if you can't think of a medical setting in particular, what is another time that you helped someone that was different than you..ethnicity, race,etc.)
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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)
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Ferris State University College of Pharmacy discussed teaching skills related to hobbies like Zumba, soccer, and brushing teeth. Some responses indicated scenarios where applicants were asked to explain teaching methods for specific activities, possibly in an MMI format with nondisclosure agreements in place.
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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 the reasons for wanting to attend Ferris or describing challenges faced while working in a group with people from different ethnic backgrounds. Some respondents found it challenging to articulate specific examples due to their belief in viewing people as individuals rather than focusing on their ethnic backgrounds.
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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 Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 minutes.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 2 people.
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.
📍 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.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as average.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents rank the facilities as below average.
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?
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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 is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by utilizing online resources like Student Doctor Network and searching for potential interview questions. They also practiced by conducting mock interviews at home or through resources provided by their school's career center, though some found the latter less beneficial.
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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 overwhelmingly impressed by the friendly and welcoming demeanor of the staff and interviewers, creating a relaxed and enjoyable interview experience. Many highlighted the kindness and helpfulness of the interviewers and admissions staff, making a positive impact on their overall impression of the institution.
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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 negative impressions regarding the old facilities in comparison to other schools, a desire for a more comprehensive school tour showcasing strengths like the pharmacy program, concerns about lack of diversity, and slow communication regarding admissions decisions. Suggestions included updating facilities, enhancing diversity initiatives, providing more informative tours, and improving communication timelines.
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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?
Most applicants wished they had known about the specific interview format and questions, including the closed file approach and the presence of multiple interviewers. They also emphasized the importance of thorough preparation for any possible question and being aware of logistical details like transportation for additional tours.
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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 about feeling nervous but finding the interview process manageable once it began, emphasizing the importance of preparation, professionalism in attire, and seeking insights from previous interviewees to anticipate questions.
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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 a tour of the campus during the admission 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.
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