Richmond, VA
Pharmacy Schools | Public Non-Profit
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.5
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 223 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 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 good.
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 good.
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?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools based on user responses include inquiries about personal strengths and weaknesses, ethical dilemmas faced, reasons for choosing the specific school or pharmacy as a career, challenges encountered, and scenarios testing problem-solving skills. Some responses alluded to an MMI format and potential nondisclosure agreements, suggesting a structured interview process with standardized questions and confidentiality requirements.
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Why VCU?
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Who knows you best and what three things would they say about you?
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Why Pharmacy?
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What is the hardest decision you have had to make?
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Why VCU? What influenced you to pursue pharmacy?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy discussed a wide range of topics, including the most difficult college subject, healthcare challenges, conflict resolution scenarios, and personal accomplishments. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) based on responses referencing nondisclosure agreements, with questions covering ethics, problem-solving, and personal reflections on pharmacy-related scenarios.
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What is a class everyone should take?
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What was the most difficult subject in college for you?
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Not most interesting but this was my Essay Question: If you were being interviewed for your dream job at a pharmacy and the interviewer started asking inappropriate/irrelevant questions (about your race, what religion you practice, boyfriend/girlfriend), how would you handle this situation?
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What are some current problems facing healthcare?
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What is one that you would change?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult questions asked at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy discussed various scenarios including regrets, conflicts, ethical dilemmas, leadership qualities, and challenges in pharmacy. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) based on the range of questions asked, and respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement due to the nature of the questions.
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What is critical thinking?
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What is a time you interacted with someone and regret the way you did? What would you change?
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What's something you've done that you regret. How would you have acted differently.
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What is a difficult decision you have dealt with and how did you make that decision?
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Tell me why you have no work experience in pharmacy
✅ 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 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.
No responses
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 extensively reviewing interview questions from Student Doctor Network (SDN), practicing mock interviews, researching the school and its programs, and preparing responses to common questions. They also focused on understanding the school's values, curriculum, and potential questions, while some applicants sought feedback from practicing pharmacists and current students to enhance their preparation.
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SDN questions
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3 Mock Interviews, researched the school
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Look at school info online, and look at questions from SDN.
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SDN. Internet. Mock Interview.
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Read this website and talked to others who go to VCU and my pharmacist who interviews for VCU sometimes.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the school, as well as the advanced technology and resources available for learning. They appreciated the relaxed interview environment, the enthusiastic and knowledgeable faculty and students, and the ample opportunities for research and community involvement. Many also highlighted the comprehensive approach to healthcare education, where pharmacy students interact and take classes with students from other healthcare disciplines.
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This interview was by far the best one. The atmosphere, the amount of time we had to communicate with our fellow interviewees and current students, and the amount of snacks they prepared for us.
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How friendly and helpful everyone was
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Very relaxed, some downtime in the interview for snacking and chatting with other applicants or current students.
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That they work closely with the other professional students. That it is a healthcare center complex.
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The faculty and students were very friendly and tried their best to turn a high-stress situation into a welcoming, relaxed experience. They gave us an itinerary that was organized and descriptive and great info about the Richmond area.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the interview atmosphere, some found it to be a bit arrogant or intense, while others mentioned issues with parking, the location, or lack of information during the tour. Suggestions included improving interviewer attitudes, providing more detailed campus tours, and addressing logistical challenges such as parking.
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Pretty much the best interview atmosphere I have ever had.
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Nothing!
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Absolutely nothing!
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Nothing too bad. I'm not a fan of traffic, so driving around Richmond wasn't a blast. Parking was a little hectic, but overall nothing major stood out to me.
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The only thing I would say is sitting at school desks for interview, but only because I wasn't expecting that.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known to not bring a purse, that the interview would be relaxed, to wear comfortable shoes for walking, and to be prepared with questions about their extracurriculars and experiences for the interviewers. Additionally, they suggested printing a map of the location ahead of time, being aware of the lengthy interview process, and dressing appropriately for a long day of activities.
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That they provide you with a bag, so don't bring a purse!!!
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That I didn't need to bring my purse to the interview because they give out complementary VCU Pharmacy bags.
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That my shoes would be very uncomfortable to walk in and they wouldn't stay on right!!
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I felt pretty prepared. I knew what to expect after looking at this site.
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Wish I would have known how relaxed an interview it was because I was so nervous my teeth were chattering.
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview experience at VCU School of Pharmacy to be relaxed and enjoyable, with friendly interviewers and a welcoming atmosphere. Many appreciated the opportunities to interact with faculty, alumni, and students, as well as the overall positive impression of the school and its resources.
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This school is by far the one that impressed me the most.
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I think VCU School of Pharmacy has much to recommend it and it remains my school of choice.
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Don't sweat the interview, read the feedback questions, relax, and good luck.
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The interview was very impressive. Just don't try to interact with the admissions office.
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It was a saturday interview. Very flexible and relaxing atmosphere. Only about 20 kids. They made it seem as if you had a reallly strong chance of getting in, just by being there at the interview. Got an acceptance letter for the school about one month later. VCU only gives you about a one week window to reply back with a 500 dollar deposit. So keep that in consideration when applying to other schools, as your spot could be given up if you are too late in responding.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Overall, applicants suggest that the admissions office should continue their friendly and informative approach. Some applicants highlighted the need for quicker responses to inquiries to match the efficiency of other universities.
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Keep up whatever you guys are doing because you guys are doing it right.
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Keep up the good work! The woman I spoke with to set up my interview was very friendly and cheerful.
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I think their staff did a wonderful job. I was provided all of the information that I needed and more.
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Please by more prompt in responses. Other universities replied very quickly to questions. VCU was the slowest and required multiple calls and emails to get any sort of response.
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None -- keep up the good 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 Richmond International Airport (RIC)
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Richmond
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Richmond International Airport
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Friends or family or with friends or family.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
The most commonly mentioned hotel among the responses is "Holiday Inn".
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Comfort Conference Inn
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Days End West Broad Street
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Holiday Inn
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I can't remember
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Omni
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as average
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
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