University of Colorado Denver Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Aurora, CO
Pharmacy Schools | Public Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 19% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a moderate stress level, and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
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.
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
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools covered a wide range of topics, including ethical dilemmas, challenges faced, reasons for pursuing pharmacy, qualities of a pharmacist, and views on healthcare issues. While specific questions varied, many respondents mentioned scenarios involving ethical decision-making, personal accomplishments, and the applicant's fit for the pharmacy program, with a notable focus on ethical and moral values.
Additionally, the responses suggest that some interviews were conducted in an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) format, as questions related to ethical situations, moral values, and unique qualities were recurrent themes, indicating a structured approach to evaluating candidates' interpersonal skills and decision-making abilities. Respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement based on the nature of the questions asked.
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If you were going to volunteer at a homeless shelter and overhead your classmate asking about why do you need to help homeless people how do you respond to them
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What is the biggest challenge you’ve experienced
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What type of food would you be?
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As a patient, what are the three most important values/skills you expect of your pharmacist?
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In your opinion, what is the most significant technological advancement in the last decade... followed by... can that be applied to the field of healthcare and why?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Colorado Denver Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences discussed various topics such as ethical dilemmas, diversity, healthcare issues, pharmacist roles, and personal achievements. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) as some respondents mentioned nondisclosure agreements, while others highlighted a range of ethical scenarios, decision-making challenges, and healthcare system inquiries.
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How do you think CU will help you in your career
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What do you do if your classmate complains about doing a rotation at a homeless shelter?
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One of your classmates is complaining that their next rotation is at a homeless shelter. How would you respond?
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What does diversity mean to you?
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What does a pharmacist do beside dispensing drugs.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Colorado Denver Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences discussed a wide range of topics, including personal challenges, ethical dilemmas, unique problem-solving approaches, and the future of pharmacy practice. Some responses mentioned Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format and potential nondisclosure agreements, with a focus on scenario-based questions and ethical inquiries.
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Tell me about yourself and what led you to pharmacy
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Talk about a time you were faced with a difficult problem and how you solved it in a unique/unconventional way
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What is the biggest challenge facing pharmacy today?
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If one of your classmates came up to you complaining about having to go to a homeless shelter for a rotation, what would you say to them.
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When was a time that your values were challenged?
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 minutes.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 2 people.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had a closed 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.
📍 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.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents rank the facilities as below average.
What were your total hours spent traveling?
Most respondents spent 4-6 hours traveling to the interview.
What was your primary mode of travel?
Most respondents traveled by airplane to the interview.
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
Most respondents spent more than $500.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Denver International Airport (DEN)
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LAX & Denver International Airport
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Denver Intl
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Denver International Airport
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Denver International
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Denver
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
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mariot
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Western Best Inns and Suites
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Timbers
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The Timbers
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Staybridge Suites
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 is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What are your comments on where you stayed?
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I stayed relatively close by with a friend who goes to school. Of course my friend is a school spirit shill so gauging the university correctly was difficult.
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
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.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by utilizing resources like the Student Doctor Network (SDN) forums, practicing with mock interviews, reviewing school websites, and preparing answers to common questions. They also sought feedback from pharmacists, friends, and family to enhance their interview readiness and confidence.
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Mock interviews (101 and small groups), practice basic questions, technical questions, present science topics, and public health ethics questions
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SDN
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SDN interview feedback
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SDN forum
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Looking through SDN feedback and doing a mock interview using the questions from SDN feedback
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were generally impressed by the friendliness and professionalism of the staff, students, and faculty, the modern campus facilities, the emphasis on inter-professional learning, and the organized and stress-free interview process. Many appreciated the opportunities to interact with current students, the new campus buildings, and the supportive atmosphere that encouraged collaboration among different healthcare disciplines.
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Sarah Scoular and Patty. They led the interview sessions and groups flawlessly. Their provided tour of campus was nice.
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The professionalism of the faculty and the students, the campus, and the inter-professional program design
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The idea that all health profession students are in the same classes and you have one particular group of students of varying fields that you stay with all four years.
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The campus and the faculty
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The beautiful campus, the students, and the faculty - they really want you to do well and enjoy your time at their school!
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed disappointment with unprofessional or unwelcoming interviewers, lack of campus tours, concerns about the surrounding areas, and rushed interview experiences. Suggestions included improving interviewer training, providing comprehensive campus tours, addressing safety concerns, and ensuring a more relaxed and thorough interview process.
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When you toured the school you could see the pharmacy students suffering inside while every other student group was enjoying the sun outside.
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nothing really
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Toured the campus earlier in the spring. The campus has tons of pear trees, which smell absolutely terrible when they're flowering!
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Nothing that I can think of!
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nothing
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants wished they had known ahead of time that the interview process was relaxed and chill, with plenty of downtime to interact with other candidates. Suggestions included speaking with current students for genuine insights, bringing comfortable shoes for the campus tour, and being well-prepared to discuss specific aspects of the school's curriculum during the interview.
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Speak with real students 101 outside of the gazing eye of the faculty. Their insight was more real and genuine than the interviewers and student leaders selected to help the interview. If I spoke to a few real students ahead of time I would not have chosen pharmacy as a profession.
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It’s very relaxed, even the interview
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How much downtime there is. That's not to say you're sitting around bored, but there was a lot of time available to talk with other applicants and review handouts regarding apartments, student orgs, etc.
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That it would have been so relaxed!
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N/A
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview experience at the school to be positive, with friendly and accommodating staff, faculty, and students. Some feedback mentioned the long day with various components like a written test, interview, and group exercise, but overall, the campus, faculty, and student interactions left a favorable impression on most applicants.
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CU’s faculty was nice, obviously. The campus is somewhat modern but dystopian compared to the surrounding area. Research facilities are top notch. Pharmacy is located in the middle of nowhere, segregates from other professional students.
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It’s a top tier program and everything from the campus to the presentations by the faculty prove it
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The day is very laid-back; the most stressful part is the faculty interview, but even then it wasn't that bad.
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Act yourself and you will do just fine. The questions aren't suppose to be tricky. If you work as tech you will answer all the questions with ease.
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The interview was formally supposed to be only 20 minutes, but my interviewer and I just chatted for another 15 minutes since that's when the next candidate was supposed to come for his/her interview. My interviewer was very easy to talk to and made my interview experience less stressful!
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
The most common feedback and suggestions shared by applicants for the admissions office include improving communication with applicants, providing a smoother online application process, ensuring accurate and timely information, and enhancing the interview experience by reducing wait times and being better prepared for the day.
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Nothing really
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None
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No suggestions. They have been quite helpful and friendly.
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Try to put the application materials online and have the ability to accept/decline offer online as well.
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Do not yell at the applicants for not bringing their own writing utensil because it was stated in the e-mail. I looked through all my e-mails and it was never mentioned. Continue to providing lodging and housing information.
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