Brookings, SD
Pharmacy Schools | Public Non-Profit
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.4
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 24 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 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 average.
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?
Based on the responses provided, common interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about favorite college classes, reasons for choosing pharmacy as a career, and discussions on personal life paths and educational decisions. These questions suggest a focus on academic interests, career motivations, and decision-making processes in the interview process.
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What was your favorite class you've taken in college so far?
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Why pharmacy?
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Why Pharmachy?
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Tell me about your life path and how you ended up going to the school you chose for pre-pharm and why SDSU?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy discussed various topics including reflecting on past decisions, response to acceptance or rejection, and potential contributions to the school. Additionally, the interview format may have been an MMI based on references to nondisclosure agreements or generic questions posed.
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Since your senior year of high school, what is one decision you would like to go back and change?
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What would you do if you are accepted? What would you do if you are not accepted? What will be your contributions to the school?
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All the questions were generic
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Does your current school have an honor code that you have to sign saying that you won't cheat and if you see anyone else cheating you will turn them in?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy discussed scenarios like handling witnessing pharmacy misconduct, persuading physicians on medication choices, and addressing cheating incidents. The variety of ethical dilemmas and interpersonal challenges point to a focus on professionalism and critical thinking skills in the interview process.
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An ethical question along as a writing prompt, two pages on a scenario of witnessing a pharmacy technician slip a controlled substance and how you would handle the situation still as an intern.
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How would you convince a physician that your choice of medication is better than what they have chosen?
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none
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How did you respond when you saw someone cheating?
✅ 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 in a group 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?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by researching common interview questions, seeking advice from current pharmacy students or pharmacists, and using resources like interview guides or forums to gather insights. They focused on practicing responses and familiarizing themselves with potential questions to feel more confident and prepared during the interview.
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Read common interview questions. , previously met with the advisor for their pharmacy department.
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Looked up common questions from other pharmacy school interviews..
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sdn, interview guide, talking to several pharmacy students and pharmacists.
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Looked at other schools possible questions from this website.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were impressed by the straightforward nature of the process, the friendliness of the interviewers and staff, and the welcoming atmosphere of the campus. They appreciated the lack of "trick" questions and the overall positive and low-key experience during their interaction with the college.
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It was very straightforward and nothing seemed to a "trick" question.
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Both my interviewers were extremely nice and so was Dan. I loved the student ambassador who gave me the tour of the college. Not only that but their new building and the campus is very nice.
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nothing
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It was really low key and everyone seemed very friendly/approachable.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were most commonly unimpressed by the attitude of the interviewers, who appeared tired and disengaged during the interview process. Some applicants felt that this behavior was unprofessional and indicated a lack of enthusiasm for potential candidates. Suggestions include ensuring interviewers are attentive and engaged to create a more positive impression on applicants.
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As a positive and a negative, I had a transcript review, interview, and a writing prompt and was in the building from 12:00 to 1:45.
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N/A
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The attitude of the interviewers. They seemed tired as if they had not eaten anything for lunch. While i was answering the question, one of the interviewer was staring something on the wall. I ignored that and focused on the interview. Again, i saw that she was still staring at something and was not listening to anything i said. I had really high hope with this school since that was the only pharmacy school in South dakota. I felt really bad at the end of the interview that these people expect us to be professional while they acted very unprofessionally. I am still waiting on their decision. Anyway, they did not impress me at all. and i do not feel like going to this school where i know those people will be giving me lecture on being professional.
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The town was really small. However, it seemed like a good living environment.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known more about the potential changes in program locations and facilities, as well as the potential impact on their experience and schedule. They also expressed a desire for more information on the logistics and atmosphere of the interviews, such as the timing and energy level of the interviewers.
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Nothing really, they are very informative and answer all your questions during the interview process.
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Had i known that they were too tired to even smile just once, i would never have scheduled for any time in late afternoon.
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They are going to be tearing down and rebuilding the pharmacy school starting May of 08. Therefore, the next two years will be in transition and my classes would be located at various locations. Also, I was not aware that your first two years of the program are completed in Brookings and the second two are in Sioux Falls (With the last of those two being rotations)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview process to be less stressful and more conversational compared to previous experiences. Some expressed concerns about the school's ranking and the approach of the interviewers, but overall, they appreciated the relaxed atmosphere and the opportunity to engage in longer discussions.
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Overall, I had interviews in high school much more stressful than this interview. It was only two people interviewing and very conversational.
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Very good school but I wish they had a better ranking. I got accepted though =)
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I did not like their approach. And knowing that they were the ones who would be lecturing in the class if i plan to attend this school made me almost sick.
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The interviews all lasted 30 minutes but because mine was the last of the day, we talked a bit longer. Really relaxed, they tend to be extremely defensive of their program. (More than I thought they would be). They acted astonished that I would be applying to other schools as well.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest maintaining a positive and effective interview process and encouraging the admissions office to continue their excellent work.
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Great interview process!
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Keep up the great work!
📍 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 2-3 hours 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?
The most commonly mentioned hotel is Super 8.
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Holiday Inn Express
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Super 8
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2010-11 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2010-11 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Negatively ☹️ | Average | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
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