Birmingham, AL
Pharmacy Schools | Public Non-Profit
AI Advisor
Ask questions about this school. Answers use aggregated data and are subject to error.
👋
Hi there! How can I help?
Going on an interview at SAMFORD-PHARM? Add your feedback to help others!
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.6
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 148 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 above average.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all 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 area’s cultural life as good.
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 inquiries about the reasons for choosing pharmacy as a career, motivations for selecting a specific school like Samford, experiences since high school graduation, ethical dilemmas encountered, and future goals in the field. Additionally, respondents mentioned questions about strengths and weaknesses, the importance of customer service in pharmacy, and envisioning the future of the healthcare field. Some responses hinted at an MMI format with nondisclosure agreements possibly in place.
-
Why Samford?
-
Why did you choose pharmacy as a career?
-
Tell us about yourself.
-
Why do you want to be a pharmacist?
-
Why Pharmacy, why samford?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy discussed a wide range of topics, including backup plans if not admitted, admiration for pharmacists, ethics challenges, future of pharmacy, personal qualities, dealing with difficult situations, and self-reflection. These questions suggest a holistic approach to evaluating candidates beyond academic qualifications, focusing on ethics, professionalism, interpersonal skills, and critical thinking.
-
What is your backup plan incase you don't get admitted into your desired pharmacy school?
-
Name something you admired about the pharmacists you have worked with?
-
how would your friends describe you?
-
When have I taken time out of my busy schedule to help someone?
-
If I were to never get into pharmacy school what would I do?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy discussed a wide range of topics including ethical dilemmas, personal weaknesses, future outlook on pharmacy, and dispensing the morning after pill. Some responses indicated challenges with questions related to ethics, moral values, and personal reflections, while others mentioned scenarios like filling uncomfortable prescriptions and defining professionalism. Additionally, there were references to the MMI format and nondisclosure agreements, suggesting a structured interview process with confidentiality requirements.
-
Do you have any questions for us? (I was not prepared for this)
-
What do you think is the biggest problem with pharmacy around the world today?
-
Name three weaknesses.
-
None. All really easy and conversational
-
None really
✅ 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 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.
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 practicing with online questions, reading forums, reviewing school websites, and engaging in mock interviews. They also sought feedback from friends, family, recent graduates, and current students to better understand the interview process.
-
Practice with online questions
-
Read forums, asked friends who have been to Samford.
-
Reviewing message boards, essays, and the school's website.
-
Mainly practiced with the questions on this forum from previous interviewees.
-
Went to several interviews before this one, so by this one, I wasn't nervous at all.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the campus, faculty, and staff. They appreciated the conversational and laid-back nature of the interviews, which helped to alleviate nerves and make the experience more enjoyable. The emphasis on relationships, friendliness, and southern hospitality stood out as key positive aspects of their interactions with the school.
-
It was more of a conversation, they just want to get to know you.
-
Interviewers were very, very laid back!
-
The interview is with two faculty members. One has read your app and the other has not.
-
What impressed me the most was how laid back the interview was. I forgot at a point that I was being interviewed. It was just a conversation.
-
how friendly everyone was
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions about aspects such as high tuition costs, uncomfortable interview experiences, lack of engagement or interest from interviewers, and distractions during the on-site essay. Suggestions include improving interviewer engagement, creating a more welcoming environment, and ensuring a smoother interview process.
-
nothing
-
None.
-
Nothing.
-
tuition!
-
How uncomfortable I felt. I felt as if they were challenging my decision to change careers. I also felt they didn't take into consideration that my previous career involved having a pharmacy in my clinic (meaning I am have SOME pharmacy experience...my degree is NOT beneath pharmacy).
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time that the interview process was calmer and more informal than expected, leading to unnecessary stress. They also suggested being more relaxed, preparing questions to ask, and not over-rehearsing answers to ensure a more authentic interview experience.
-
I wish I had known how calm and chill the interview is. I wouldn't have stressed as much as I did.
-
I should have thought more about strengths and weaknesses.
-
Nothing.
-
Don't be stressed! They are so welcoming and I was way more nervous than I should have been.
-
That it was be so uncomfortable (may a just cancelled).
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview experience at Samford to be low-stress and pleasant, with friendly interviewers and a welcoming atmosphere. Suggestions included breaking the ice by talking to other candidates, staying relaxed, and being oneself during the interview.
-
Everyone was very kind, especially compared to the other schools I interviewed with.
-
Don't stress, just go and enjoy your time! Super chill interviewers, very nice and helpful ambassadors, super fun day.
-
Fantastic school and a very low stress interview.
-
Great interview. The campus is absolutely gorgeous.
-
Don't stress, Everyone is super nice here and will make you feel comfortable.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants overwhelmingly praised the admissions office for their helpfulness, responsiveness, and overall positive experience, with no specific suggestions for improvement.
-
Everyone is very helpful and will get right back with you about and questions.
-
Nothing. Everyone was great!!
-
Nothing. They were great.
-
The admissions office at Samford is great to work with. They are extremely nice and had a great res
📍 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 out of 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 between $101 and $200.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Birmingham Airport (BHX)
-
Birmingham airport
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
The most commonly mentioned hotel among the responses is La Quinta.
-
AmeraSuites in Hoover, AL
-
Courtyard Marriott
-
Drury Inn
-
Hampton Inn
-
Howard Johnson
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?
Courtyard
-
I went back and visited after the interview and stayed at the Courtyard right down the road. They will give you a discount if you tell them you're visiting Samford.
All Responses
Success!
School has been added to your favorites.