Philadelphia, PA
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 255 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 (72%)
Negatively (13%)
No change (15%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (37%)
Good (43%)
Average (15%)
Poor (2%)
Bad (2%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly provided feedback on the relaxed and conversational nature of the interview process at Temple University's pharmacy school. They appreciated the opportunity to have a discussion rather than a formal Q&A session, with many noting the positive interactions with faculty and staff during the interview and tour.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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This school supposedly has a good program, but the admissions and faculty put zero effort into selling it to the prospective students, as other surveys have pointed out. Seems like they don't care about the students.
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I think I've said it all.
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I really wish I had gone on the tour but everybody in my group left immediately after the interview because the tour was optional.
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I cringed at the idea of a group interview, but it was relaxed. Be prepared for a nice discussion. The other people in my group were awesome, so that may have made it relaxed.
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Nice interview process. Relaxing and motivating.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
53 Minutes Average
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Number:
1.4 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
4% One-on-One
96% Group Interview
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File Type:
4% Open-File
96% Closed-File
TEMPLE-PHARM-COMP interviews are an average of 53 minutes, with an average of 1.4 interviews. 4% of interviews are one-on-one, and 96% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include queries about the candidate's reasons for pursuing pharmacy, interest in the specific institution, background information like major and experiences, as well as personal attributes and hobbies. Some respondents may have experienced an MMI format with nondisclosure agreements due to references to 'MMI', 'Multiple Mini Interview', or 'non-disclosure' in their answers.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why pharmacy?
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Why Temple?
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Why Pharmacy
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Introduce yourself.
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What year in pharmacy school is the hardest.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Temple University School of Pharmacy discussed a variety of topics including favorite organelles, hypothetical medical emergencies, career paths, ethical dilemmas, and current pharmacy issues. Some responses referenced an MMI format, suggesting a structured interview process with potential nondisclosure agreements in place.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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None
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What's your favorite organelle of the cell?
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The one I asked.
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If you were on an airplane and there was a medical emergency would you step up and say you were a pharmacist and help?
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If pharmacists only made $35,000/year would you still do pharmacy?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by utilizing Student Doctor Network (SDN) for common questions and mock interviews, researching the school and pharmacy, reflecting on personal experiences to answer questions, and engaging in practice interviews with peers. Many also focused on reviewing their PharmCas application, reading about the institution, and preparing thoughtful questions for the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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SDN
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SDN had pretty much all the questions that were asked
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I read SDN, wrote down answers to the common questions and ran through them with a friend.
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Came up with questions and answered them on my own.
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SDN website, mock interviews
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Temple University School of Pharmacy discussed a wide range of topics from career motivations to technical knowledge and ethical scenarios. However, several responses referenced MMI or Multiple Mini Interview format, which may have involved a nondisclosure agreement. Common themes included questions about career choices, ethical dilemmas, pharmacy responsibilities, and technical pharmaceutical knowledge.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Literally nothing
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The one I asked.
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If pharmacist only made 35K a year would you still want to pursue this career?
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Tell me about a difficult point in your life and how you dealt with it?
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None
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendliness and helpfulness of the admissions staff and interviewers, the enthusiasm and welcoming atmosphere of the school, the small class sizes, and the sense of community among students and faculty. Additionally, they appreciated the historical significance and location of the institution, as well as the opportunities for research and the accessible nature of the campus.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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All the opportunities they offer.
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The new class rooms
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School has an ok reputation, it's been around for a long time, it's in a big city, and they have a small pharmacy museum in the school
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Nothing. Sad, because I'm a Temple undergrad "Veteran". Very disappointed in my school, glad to be leaving.
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Staff at admissions office were very nice and helpful
What impressed you negatively?
Many applicants expressed concerns about the school's location, describing it as in a bad neighborhood with safety issues. They also mentioned dissatisfaction with the facilities, such as old buildings, cramped spaces, and lack of modern technology. Suggestions included providing more comprehensive tours, improving the interview process to be more personal, and addressing safety and facility concerns to enhance the overall impression of the school.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The area its in
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Location
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It looks like it's in a really bad neighborhood, the building is dilapidated, students have to use the medical school's library, and the tour guide said there is collaborative work but that the med students speak down to the pharmacy students
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1) Tour was not included in appointment. Had to come beforehand to partake. 2) Admissions staff, though nice, seem disorganized and without proper resources. ( A hallmark of Temple ) 3) School made no effort to "woo" students. Did not feel like a visit. Ie) Where other schools would let you hear from the Dean, financial aid office, former/current students, or provide food, school memorabilia or even refreshments, Temple did none of this. Was "hello", interview, (now get out) "thanks for coming". 4) "Interviewer" was a very nice, but disorganized and unprofessional professor. She was very dressed-down (clogs and parachute pants) and made very little effort. She allowed for free-for-all type discussion where people were interrupted mid-sentence or ignored. Her cell phone went off 2x during the interview, the second time she pulled it out and began to play with it while another student was trying to answer her question. You could tell she heard none of that reply. 5) I'm use to the setting of main campus (it takes some getting use to). Poor area, high crime. You are relatively safe on-campus. Health Science Campus is another story. I felt very unsafe there (and I've been commuting to Temple for 4yrs+ so I thought nothing would phase me). If you choose to go here, be safe-be careful and don't get too comfortable.
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I was surprised by how little the area was that you had your classes in. It almost felt like highschool again
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known about the relaxed nature of the interview, the potential delays in starting the tour, the closed-file interview format, the need for additional preparation for the interview process, and the longer-than-expected wait time for admissions decisions. They also mentioned the importance of being aware of the location, transportation options, and potential challenges in finding parking.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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It was very relaxed.
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That the location and subway were going to be so scary
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That was a waste of time for me.
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I wish I had known the tour wasn't going to start until an hour after our interview ended.
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That not going on the tour doesn't actually affect your chances of admittance.
🤝 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 suggest that the admissions office should put more effort into selling the school to applicants, provide a warm welcome to students, and improve communication about interview schedules and information about the school's offerings, such as faculty, facilities, financial aid, and housing. Additionally, ensuring professionalism during the interview process, including selecting faculty interviewers carefully, is crucial for a positive experience.
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Actually put some effort into selling the school to the applicants. We spent a lot of money to apply and interview, but we have other options that actually show us they care.
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How about making a Temple student feel welcome. There was very little effort put forth into "selling" the school to me. I'm a senior Temple student and I was NOT IMPRESSED. Choose the faculty who interviews more wisely. She was incredibly unprofessional. (Phone went off during interviews, cut off student's reply to speak with someone else. Rude.) I will be going elsewhere. And it's too bad, because Temple was my 1st choice before this experience.
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Properly communicate the time for the tour.
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I would suggest making a formal tour be a part of every interviewee's interview day. It is definitely of interest to us to see the facilities (including the library) as well as talk to current students if possible, through a Q&A session. Also, info about financial aid, scholarships and housing should be made more available on the interview day, ie. in an info packet.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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PHL
78% interviewees used PHL (PHL), with 11% using phl (phl) and 11% using Philadelphia International (Philadelphia International).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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25% Airplane
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50% Automobile
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18% Train or Subway
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7% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the sheraton suites (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at conwell inn (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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sheraton suites
10/10
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conwell inn
10/10
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Hilton Garden Inn
9/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of 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 a Student
Admissions staff (2%)
Faculty member (4%)
Other (4%)
Student (90%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Discouraging (3%)
Enthusiastic (74%)
Neutral (24%)
All Responses
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