Iowa City, IA
Pharmacy Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 16% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.4
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 164 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 (89%)
Negatively (6%)
No change (6%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (31%)
Good (42%)
Average (23%)
Poor (4%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview process at the University of Iowa to be well-organized and welcoming, with a stress-free atmosphere. Some expressed concerns about the interview structure and facilities, but overall, they appreciated the friendly staff and fellow applicants.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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There were only about 15 other candidates there. When you arrive, you sit at small round tables and talk with a few current students. Lunch was provided at the end and could be taken to go. The whole process went from 9 to around 1:15.
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Everyone was really friendly
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I love the people but hope the school will do something to improve its facility while waiting for the new building to finish.
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They emphasize a lot on research so if its not in your interest don't bother to apply there..
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Overall, Iowa is a great school. I do have to add, though, that if you're gonna be staying at the Sheraton Hotel, then to get a room that's not on the 2nd or 3rd floor. I stayed on the 2nd floor, and my entire stay was uncomfortable because the pool was right next to my room and it was way too loud all day long.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
27 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.7 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
63% One-on-One
38% Group Interview
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File Type:
16% Open-File
84% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
0% Virtual
100% In-Person
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Interview Location (for In-Person):
100% At the School
0% Other Location
UIOWA-PHARM-COMP interviews are an average of 27 minutes, with an average of 2.7 interviews. 63% of interviews are one-on-one, 100% are in-person, and 84% are closed-file. Of the in-person interviews, 100% are held at the school.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include discussing leadership/extracurricular activities, study habits/academic challenges, preparation for the interview, ethical scenarios, views on leadership/diversity, reasons for choosing pharmacy/medical profession/Iowa, handling stress, and hypothetical scenarios like being stranded on a desert island. Some respondents mentioned an MMI format, suggesting they may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement during the interview process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Discuss any leadership or extracurricular activities you were involved in during your undergrads. Explain how you studied and any academic difficulties during your undergrads.
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What did you do to prepare for this interview?
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If someone who also works in healthcare and he uses your idea without crediting you, what would you do?
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What do you think about leadership and tell us what your leadership experience ?
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How do I handle diversity issues
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at University of Iowa College of Pharmacy discussed various scenarios, such as handling conflicts, ethical dilemmas, and decision-making on a deserted island. The questions ranged from discussing the future of pharmacy to personal experiences like resolving mistakes, demonstrating creativity, and ethical principles to live by, with some respondents mentioning scenarios related to a pharmacy setting or interpersonal interactions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What do you think the future of pharmacy will be like?
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If you were with a group of friends and one of them said something insensitive or offensive, what would you do?
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(For people whose first language is not English) what would you do if someone doesn't understand what you've said?
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Tell me how you get from your house to the library
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A time when you made a mistake and how you resolved it? A time when you got a grade which you feel you didn't deserve and what did you do about it?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for interviews by researching the school, practicing with questions and answers from SDN and other sources, watching YouTube videos, and doing mock interviews to simulate the experience. Suggestions included focusing on common interview questions, staying updated on current pharmacy issues, and practicing responses to both general and school-specific questions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Wrote out questions and answers, practiced delivering answers, watched videos, and researched the school
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SDN, youtube, practice pharmacy questions
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SDN questions, looking up common interview questions, watching YouTube videos, researching the school
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Watching YouTube videos, practicing answering the questions on the SDN school page, asking questions on the SDN forum, researching the schools, and reading Pharmacy Times.
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Sdn website
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Iowa College of Pharmacy discussed a wide range of topics including communication skills, self-control, ethical considerations, conflict resolution, leadership experiences, creativity, personal reflections, and handling diverse opinions. The responses varied with no clear consensus on a single challenging question, reflecting a holistic approach to evaluating applicants rather than focusing on one specific type of inquiry.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Who is someone you communicate well with?
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Tell us about a time you had to use self control.
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All the questions are closely equal in their difficulty.
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How you show your leadership in your experience
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Any problems you faced while working with someone who had a different upbringing that you?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendly and welcoming faculty, staff, and students, as well as the personalized interactions during the interview process. The innovative and well-designed new pharmacy building, along with the organized and smooth process, also left a positive impression on many applicants.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The faculty was friendly and offered snacks and water several times. The new pharmacy building was innovative and well-designed.
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The new pharmacy building
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Everyone was really friendly, nice campus
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Welcoming and super friendly people, new pharmacy building that will be finished in 2020,
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Friendly interviewers
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the outdated facilities, particularly mentioning the small, old labs and classrooms. They also highlighted issues such as lack of parking, waiting times, and the feeling of being rushed during the interview process. Suggestions included updating facilities and providing a better introduction to the school and its programs.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The current state of the old building
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The classrooms were a bit outdated but it sounds like the new pharmacy building will be really nice
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Small space, old facility. Hope things will change in the new pharmacy building.
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The pharmacy building.. the labs are small and super old! Its not worth the tuition.. Difficult to get residency positions around iowa city.
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There was alot of waiting time inbetween activities.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly expressed a wish to have known ahead of time to be less stressed and more prepared, including having better questions and knowing more about the interview process. They also mentioned wanting more information on housing and specific details about the environment or expectations to better prepare for their experience.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Not to stress out a lot
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To be less stressed going into it. Everyone was really friendly and welcoming and wanted you to feel comfortable and ask any questions.
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Shouldn't have been too nervous because the people are so friendly!
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Prepared questions better
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Nothing..
🤝 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 generally praised the admissions office for their efficiency and accessibility, suggesting more personalized and in-depth interviews with less standard questions as a potential area for improvement.
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Nothing. They've done a great job!
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Maybe a little more time with the interviewers. More customized questions or even follow up questions. A little less boilerplate.
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Keep up the good work and efficiency
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They were very easy to access
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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Cedar Rapids
25% interviewees used Cedar Rapids (Cedar Rapids), with 25% using Moline International (Moline International) and 25% using cedar rapids (cedar rapids) and 25% using Minneapolis (Minneapolis).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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16% Airplane
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84% Automobile
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0% Train or Subway
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0% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the AmericInn (average ranking 9/10), with some staying at The Sheraton downtown (average rating 8/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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AmericInn
9/10
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The Sheraton downtown
8/10
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holiday inn
7/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in 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
Student (100%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (96%)
Neutral (4%)
All Responses
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