Loma Linda, CA
Pharmacy Schools | Private Non-Profit
Faith-Based
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.7
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 146 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.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (77%)
Negatively (7%)
No change (17%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (15%)
Good (59%)
Average (22%)
Poor (4%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally had positive experiences during their interviews at LLU, with many appreciating the relaxed and welcoming environment, quick response times for acceptance notifications, and friendly staff and faculty. Some feedback included comments on the school's unique characteristics like its religious affiliation and dietary restrictions, as well as the prompt communication regarding acceptance decisions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Overall good experience.
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LLU was one of my first interviews and it was a very relaxed environment. They took us to a room to do our essays, and then the interview came next. Afterward, we were given a tour around the school (which took like 10 minutes). The drive was a bit far (I'm from LA) and it was a really warm day (around 80s). They don't tell you when you are expected to receive an invitation to the school, so that was a bit annoying, but I received an invitation after two months of waiting. They actually call you if you got accepted, so that was really exciting. I love the environment the school has (very welcoming and nice).
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I got ACCEPTED!
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When we got there, there was only five of us. We did our writing sample in someone's office on a round table. Everyone had a different essay question. Make sure you bring your own pen for the essay. There were two interviews with two different people. They try to make you feel comfortable so don't stress out too much. Also, they will have a lot of follow-up questions to your answers so under ANY circumstances, DO NOT LIE!
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I think the whole interview session went well. I like the campus, but I can see how people might not like the school because of it being a religion school where you have to attend chapel once a week and the campus only serves vegetarian food and doesn't serve caffeine. I personally don't mind it and I like the area around LLU compared to the neighborhood around USC or Western Univ. For now, I'm just waiting for a result.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
39 Minutes Average
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Number:
2 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
94% One-on-One
6% Group Interview
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File Type:
68% Open-File
32% Closed-File
LLU-PHARM-COMP interviews are an average of 39 minutes, with an average of 2 interviews. 94% of interviews are one-on-one, and 32% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about the motivation for choosing pharmacy, specific interest in the institution (e.g., Loma Linda University), personal challenges faced and overcome, dealing with ethical dilemmas like cheating, and integrating previous experiences or degrees with pharmacy. Respondents may have been subject to an MMI format and nondisclosure agreements based on references to 'MMI' and 'nondisclosure' in their responses.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why pharmacy? Why Loma Linda?
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Do you have any questions for me?
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Why LLU?
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Tell me about yourself.
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Was there anytime that you had to sacrifice the quality to keep the due date?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy discussed a wide range of topics including ethical dilemmas, personal motivations for pursuing pharmacy, overcoming challenges in coursework, and the integration of personal values with professional aspirations. Additionally, there were references to an MMI format, suggesting respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement during their interviews.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What was the most recent book you've read?
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How did you know that pharmacy is right career for you? (it's a different question from asking you why pharmacy)
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Situational Question: If you saw a classmate cheating, what would you do?
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Are you driven by passion or by reason?
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What are your hobbies?
How did you prepare for the interview?
The most common feedback and suggestions shared by applicants on how they prepared for the interview include utilizing resources like the Student Doctor Network (SDN) for interview questions and feedback, practicing with friends or in mock interviews, researching the school and its values, and reviewing their application materials and personal statements. Additionally, some applicants mentioned the importance of staying calm and confident, going over their answers in advance, and seeking advice from current students or advisors.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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SDN
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Read the sdn questions
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SDN, practiced with friends, talked to pharmacists
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Reading some articles about Pharmacy
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SDN, having 4 interviews already, video taping myself, praying
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy discussed a wide range of topics, including scenarios about ethical dilemmas, personal motivations for pharmacy, and future aspirations. Some respondents mentioned an MMI format and potential nondisclosure agreements, indicating a structured interview process with specific types of questions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Talk about a time when you had to make a difficult situation.
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Why not become a doctor?
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If you fail the first exam in pharmacy program, what would you do?
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None.
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None
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the friendly and welcoming environment at the school, including the staff, faculty, and students. They appreciated the laid-back and conversational interview process, as well as the emphasis on making everyone feel comfortable and relaxed throughout their visit. Suggestions for improvement included providing more information on the school's facilities and program offerings.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Organized schedule, friendliness of staff & interviewers, the school life
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Admissions staff
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Everyone is so nice and cultural diversity
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The very friendly environment the school provided.
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How friendly everyone is.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were commonly unimpressed by the small size and location of the campus, limited facilities, difficulty in parking, and the overemphasis on religion. Suggestions included improving parking availability, providing more thorough tours of facilities, and ensuring interview questions effectively assess applicants' qualifications.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Location of the school. Very far from the city.
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The campus is small especially, the pharmacy building is small and old but recently remodeled.
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The school is small, parking may be difficult, and the location of the school.
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Nothing.
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School is small. Our interview was on finals week so we weren't able to talk to the pharmacy students.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wish they had known to arrive early for difficult parking situations, be prepared for closed-file interviews, and familiarize themselves with the school's curriculum and values. They also recommend having questions ready, being mindful of the dress code and dietary preferences, and being prepared to discuss their personal mission and accreditation status.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Difficult to find X parking lot (ended up parking somewhere else)
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Get there a little early since parking may be difficult to find. Also, if driving, make sure you have plenty of time before the interview since the 91E could be a pain.
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That it would be a closed-file interview.
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Nothing really. None of the questions were surprised. EVERY question came from previous SDN interview feedback comments, so I highly suggest you to print these survey results and go over each of them. Be careful, however, to NOT sound rehearsed. Talk to them like you would a friend.
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That since it was finals week, the students couldnt take us around or talk to us. But the admissions people gave us a tour.
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
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.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office should improve communication by notifying interview invitations by email, providing opportunities for candidates to interact with current students, sending out letters of recommendation requests earlier, and providing prompt updates on interview outcomes and application statuses.
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Notify invitation of interview by email also
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Provide a session for the candidates to talk to the pharmacy students at LLU
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Sending out the LOR request after submitting the app made it more difficult to meet the deadline.
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I wish they responded to the applicants sooner on how the interviews went and the status of our apps
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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ONT
33% interviewees used ONT (ONT), with 17% using lax (lax) and 17% using n/a (n/a) and 17% using LAX (LAX) and 17% using Ontario, CA (Ontario, CA).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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15% Airplane
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85% Automobile
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0% Train or Subway
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0% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Loma Linda Inn (average ranking 6/10), with some staying at Good Night Inn (Redlands) (average rating 4/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Loma Linda Inn
6/10
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Good Night Inn (Redlands)
4/10
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good night inn
3/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by Admissions staff personnel
Admissions staff (73%)
Faculty member (18%)
Student (9%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (86%)
Neutral (14%)
All Responses
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