Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 128 responses
Score Reference:
9โ10 Exceptional8โ8.9 Very Good7โ7.9 Good6โ6.9 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 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 areaโs cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
๐ฌ Interview Questions โผ
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include scenarios about handling difficult situations, ethical dilemmas, delivering bad news, opinions on healthcare laws or current events, motivations for pursuing a specific field, and personal qualities relevant to the profession. Some respondents may have experienced an MMI format with nondisclosure agreements in place during their interviews.
Have you ever had to work with a difficult person? How did you handle it?
Discuss what you think about the new State law if you're familiar with it, if not, the state has recently passed a law allowing pharmacist to give immunization to patients right at the pharmacy. What's your feeling about this?
Students said most interesting question asked at SUNY - University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences discussed a wide range of topics including personal values, ethical dilemmas, and current events in healthcare. However, there were mentions of an MMI format with questions about interviewing a person, best friend, going above and beyond to help someone, and current events in the health field, suggesting potential nondisclosure agreements for specific questions.
I was really only asked two "major" questions--"Tell me about yourself" and "Why pharmacy?" The rest was sort of conversational.
Depends on who interviews you...I got one very informal interview where we just chatted about the school and my desire to enter pharmacy. My other interview was 10 minutes.
Students said the most difficult question asked at SUNY - University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences discussed a wide range of topics including ethical dilemmas, healthcare issues, problem-solving scenarios, and knowledge of pharmacy fields. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) as some responses referenced nondisclosure agreements or specific questions related to ethical decision-making and analytical thinking.
Tell us about a world problem and how you plan to solve it.
How many gas stations do you think are in the United States and how would you figure this out? (the guy told me this was supposed to be a question to test your analytical thinking..)
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 utilizing resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN) for interview questions and feedback, practicing their responses out loud, and conducting mock interviews with friends or family. They also emphasized the importance of reviewing the school's website, getting a good night's sleep, and being prepared to discuss their application and relevant experiences.
I spent most of my time on the school website thinking that the questions would be more related to the school rather than current events. I didn't know about this website until afterwards and some of the questions were alike.
I interviewed at the same place last year, it was more stressful. My parents and I brainstormed good qualities, bad qualities, other things I found in here.
I printed out a list of about 40 questions and had a friend ask me them. The interviewers also have a list of about 30 questions and they all use the same list, so there is a good chance that you will get to answer some of the same ones between the two interviews (as I did) because some of the interviewers ask upwards of ten questions.
Applicants were predominantly impressed by the friendly and knowledgeable faculty and staff, the welcoming atmosphere, the campus facilities, and the pride displayed by students and faculty towards the school. Additionally, many applicants appreciated the unique programs and opportunities offered, the efficient and transparent admissions process, and the emphasis on safety and community within the campus environment.
When there was a time to ask interviewers the questions, they were delighted to answer my questions.
The faculty and staff. Everyone was so nice! They made the interview so comfortable. Very stress free!! And, of course, the pizza and wings made the day!
I am from Georgia and I'm not used to snow and I assumed that it would be impossible to attend classes in what I would consider terrible weather. We walked around the entire north campus without going outside.
Students, staff and faculty were super nice. Cheap tuition. Interesting dual degree programs (they have a PharmD/JD program!). They have a jewelry store on campus.
This year, they expect to receive over 1700 applications, which they cut down to about 225-250 interviews. So, if you get an interview, you are most of the way there. Also, they let you know their decision within a few days (5 in my case) so you aren't hung out to dry for months at a time.
The faculty: their knowledge and passion for Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
North Campus is very safe...Amherst is one of the safest communities in America. South Campus is a different story....
I really liked the atmosphere - seemed very uncompetitive and friendly, and all of the students and faculty seemed really nice. And I was impressed by the labs and facilities.
Applicants were frequently unimpressed by the lack of organization during the interview process, including disinterested current students, disorganized interviews, and technical difficulties with virtual interviews. Additionally, the cold weather and unattractive campus facilities were common points of negativity. Suggestions include improving organization during interviews, addressing student engagement, and providing clearer information about the school and facilities.
Interviewers' face expression did not change throughout the interview process
The interviews were very disorganized. There was about 45 students and half as many interviers, and many people had to sit and wait while others were interviewed. This would have been fine, but when some interviewers came out, the students that they were supposed to interview were with other interviewers and they were confused, further confusing students. Granted, this was their first year of interviews, but their 5th interview session. I expected more organization.
Second faculty interviewer did not take the time to read over my file before interviewing me.
New pharmacy building will not be ready for at least 2-3 more years.
Many applicants wished they had known to stay an extra night to explore Buffalo, be prepared for group presentations and discussions, not to stress too much, wear a suit, study current events, and bring wet naps for Buffalo wings. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of familiarity with the campus, being prepared for casual interviews, and having change for tolls.
To stay an extra night so that I can go explore downtown Buffalo
Know where the building is, make sure u go the night before and know how to get there because mapquest doesnt recognize any of the streets/buildings of the campus! but you'll be fine if you have a brain and a school map
Applicants generally provided positive feedback about the interview process, mentioning that it was laid back and not overly stressful. They appreciated the friendly and enthusiastic faculty, as well as the opportunity to interact with current students and alumni. Some applicants mentioned the need to be prepared for scenario questions and analytical thinking, while others highlighted the school's emphasis on research in pharmacy.
I joined the interview through ZOOM, and when you are other interviewees are in the main room, they through you a topic to discuss. It is usually a scenario question so please be prepared for that.
The interview was laid back and the questions weren't terribly difficult to answer. I haven't visited the school yet, but from what I have seen so far, the pharmacy program really prepares its students well.
The interview was pretty relaxed. They didn't try to trick me, they just wanted to know my opinion on some topics. We also had some issues with skype (I was only the sixth person they had done a skype interview with). The connection was bad at some points, and they ended up having to call me, but leave the video on mute.
Although I was stumped on a few questions, I refused to choke under the pressure. I was nervous and it showed during certain times of the interview but I survived.
It was a pleasant experience. Stress level was very low. Faculty are the most enthusiastic and friendly staff I've met. The school is really focused on the research side pharmacy...and if you want to do research, this is one of the places to go (NIH funds them pretty well).
They ask alot of challenging questions. Be prepared to answer questions in which you have to think analytically. DO NOT GET NERVOUS! this is your first and last impression, Keep that in mind.
The interview was not bad at all. Since this is the first year they have introduced the interview as a part of the admission process, they didn't make it stressful at all. I felt like I was in high school. They give you a breakfast before they introduce their program, so you have time to relax and talk to P2 and P3 students (who were extremely nice), and after an hour, all the interviewers (23 interviewers for 23 candidates) will come on stage (they all were waiting outside the lecture room), then the director of admission introduced one by one so we know who are who. Then they call your name and the interviewer took me to his office, which I found very nice because he came to welcome me instead of waiting for me in his office.
After interview him, I interviewed with a P3 student, even though he was evaluating me, it was like more a conversation than an interview. Then we all came back to the big room and we went to a conference room to have a lunch, there were plenty of food there. Then we came back to the room to take our writing essay. The topic was "what a pharmacist should perform for the care of a terminally ill patient" or something like that. After the writing section, we went to the tour, but actually half of the group went.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest that the admissions office should improve friendliness and responsiveness, specifically by addressing all questions in emails thoroughly and promptly, and consider allowing students to take prerequisite courses over the summer for added flexibility.