Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 28% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview mixed with a moderate stress level, and felt they did okay.
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 revolve around personal background, motivations for pursuing pharmacy, strengths and weaknesses, experiences in pharmacy settings, teamwork scenarios, conflict resolution, and future goals. Some respondents mentioned being asked a wide range of questions in an MMI format, indicating a structured interview process, possibly involving nondisclosure agreements.
How do you think AI will affect the future of pharmacy in the upcoming 10 years
If you are not accepted this year, what would be your plans for next year? (this question scared me because it was the last one asked, giving me the initial impression that they did not like me, but this is NOT the case! Answer positively and stay confident!)
Because you emphasized on clinical pharmacy, here's a situation for you: if you are on rounds with a doctor and he doesn't listen to you and your recommendation about a patient because you are a pharmacist, what would you do or act?
If you had someone in a group who was absent or wasn't contributing, what would you do? Note: WU assigns yearlong groups, and you CANNOT change members or kick anyone out, for any reason.
Tell me about yourself? What do you know about pharmacy? Why pharmacy? What are the pros and cons about the block system? What makes a great pharmacist?
if a group member was not participating in the group activity, then as a group leader, how will you handle the situation? and if that (whatever you answered) doesn't work, what else would you do?
What is the positive and negative thing about this school?
At last, they asked me if I have any questions regarding to this school.(Be prepared to ask something).
I've been working as a clerk at a pharmacy, so they asked questions pertaining to my experiences at the pharmacy, like "Name one negative and one positive experience you've had while working at your pharmacy?"
What do you like to do for fun? And also, when I replied I paint, dance, and play the piano, he asked, what kind of music do you play and what types of things do you paint?
Students said most interesting question asked at Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy discussed scenarios involving group dynamics, favorite subjects, and critical thinking such as selecting interviewees for a book on Portuguese cuisine. The interview format may have included MMI as some responses mentioned nondisclosure agreements, while other common questions focused on teamwork, problem-solving, and motivations for pursuing pharmacy.
This program is heavy on group work and team work, and you will be working with other students from other colleges frequently. What would you do if one member of the group kept giving you a hard time and would not cooperate, knowing that you could NOT change groups under any circumstances for the entire academic year?
They had a strange critical thinking question: You are writing a book on the history of Portuguese cuisine. You can only interview 2 people out of 3: A professional chef, a Portuguese restaurant owner, or a food critic. Which 2 would you choose and why? And why wouldn't you choose the third?
Critical thinking question. They had a paper on the table that had a critical thinking question on it. It gave details about drug A,B,C,D and details about patient X and asks you to pick a treatment.
The professor and student started off the interview by telling me their background. They were pretty interesting, easy-going people. When I finished telling them about myself, the professor asked me why I chose pharmacy when I had all these other things going on.
oh my!!! they asked me everything!
describe myself, what are my weaknesses, how do i work in teams, what do i do if a group member isn't cooperating, how do i handle stress, what do i do on my free time.
There were no questions out of the ordinary. Why pharmacy? Why Western? What would you do if a group member is not cooperating? What would you do if your first approach did not work?
If one person in your group needs your help with the project that your group is working with, and you have a very important meeting that weekend. What would you do?
No unexpected or interesting questions in comparison with any other interview..but, I did find it interesting that the tourguide mentioned backrooms that some use to attend lectures..instead of actually going through that room to the actual lecture. Where's group cohesion and participation in that? Also interesting that they seem to put effort in matching interviewers with students.
if you make a recommendation to a dr. and they say "i'm the dr. your just the pharmacist" how do you handle that in terms of acting like a professional and keeping the respect of others?
none really...they were all pretty straightforward. i heard another girl got some question about being stuck on an island and having 3 other sick ppl with her...who would she treat first?.....i know, kind of a weird and vague question huh
One of the interviewers asked me "I see your enthusiasm in wanting to become a pharmacist, but you volunteered and saw what the pharmacists did, where is all this enthusiasm going to go when you become a pharmacist?"
What was the MOST difficult decision that had a great impact on you? And the professor went on to give an example of a time when he almost drowned, and 20sec of life flashed before him.(I was in awe..)
The school places an emphasis on group activities and having the ability to work within a team. Right off the bat, the student interviewer asked me, "What would you do if a member of your group were lazy and does not contribute to the group?"
Students said the most difficult question asked at Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy discussed various scenarios related to teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution, and decision-making. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview), as some responses hinted at nondisclosure or non-disclosure agreements, with questions focusing on ethical dilemmas and interpersonal skills in a professional setting.
How do you think AI will affect the future of pharmacy in the upcoming 10 years
This program is heavy on group work and team work, and you will be working with other students from other colleges frequently. What would you do if one member of the group kept giving you a hard time and would not cooperate, knowing that you could NOT change groups under any circumstances for the entire academic year?
If you are in a pharmacy, and there's policy change about to be implemented. You know that the ground staff will not be too pleased about the new policy, what are you going to do about this?
If you were on a boat and there was a viral outbreak and the captain, engineer and communications manager were sick, who would you give the only vaccine to?
a physician calls you(a pharmacist) about a prescription you feel that is not correct for the patient. what would you do? (it's not such a difficult question, but you can get a sense that the interview was not hard at all)
If you got in to both USC and Western which would you go to and why? ( I didn't get this question, my friend did, but I think it is a very hard question!)
"What ELSE would you do to deal with this lazy group member?" (At this point I felt like I was being grilled about the issue, but just be prepared to have more than one answer)
if a group member did not participate and you were a group leader, what would you do? ( I answered talk to them) then they asked well...if they were lazy what would u do?
There was no difficult question but I was soo nervous that I had a lot of difficulty answering the above question. I almost felt like I was making up stuff that was actually true!
Most respondents rate the school location as average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
✅ 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?
Many applicants prepared for the interview by utilizing resources such as SDN (Student Doctor Network) and the school's website, practicing mock interviews with friends, and reviewing their application materials. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of researching the program, developing responses to potential questions, and preparing questions to ask the interviewer.
Research the program, what makes that school unique, why it is your top choice. Do not go overboard. Just know the program very well.
Prepare sample questions for yourself (you know the most important ones) and develop your general responses to them. Know your own history and academic records very well, and speak the truth. It is also VERY IMPORTANT to have some questions that YOU can ask the interviewer yourself once the interview is over, this leaves a good impression and shows confidence!
I went over the questions on the website and reviewed my application. I also looked through a few of my other applications to help me formulate answers to all the questions. I heard the interview was open file, but I don't think my interviewers looked through my file during the process.
I read SDN. The questions on the interview were very similar to what's posted here. Read the Western University Website, read up on that latest in pharmacy related issues, read about pharmacy career options. Basically, just familiarize yourself with Western as well the field of pharmacy.
sdn, memorized my "tell me about yourself" answer, research the school and prepare some questions for them (they give you 10/30 minutes during your interview to ask questions)
SDN, read over my application and supplementary materials. USC's interview was a good practice =P Very similar questions were asked. Such as: what do u like to do on the weekends, Why Pharmacy, explain your pharmacy experience, what do u like best about working in the pharmacy, how would u deal with bad customers, etc.
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness, enthusiasm, and welcoming nature of the faculty, staff, and students at the school. They appreciated the organized interview process, the comfortable atmosphere, and the opportunities to interact with current students. Additionally, the high-tech facilities, emphasis on community and industry involvement, and the school's reputation for a supportive and stress-free environment left a positive impression on many applicants.
The organization that was done for the interviewees, the presentation and other things were fantastic. Also, all of the interviewers and staff were extremely polite and positive, and helped to relieve stress.
The interview was very relaxing. They have current students hang out with you while you're waiting for your interview. They really sold their program. It sounds great.
Lots of students to ask questions. Students in general were satisfied with their program. Admissions staffs were very kind. Financial aid officer explained a great deal of information though pressed on time.
The professor and student interviewer as well as student hosts were very friendly. While waiting to be called for my interview the first and second year students came over and made sure we were all comfortable and relaxed for our interview. It was so much fun chatting with them and getting their perspective!
The faculty and students are very welcoming and very approachable. I liked how the interview session was very organized: welcoming speech/info about school, Financial aid session, Writing sample, interview, campus tour. (order may vary) Oh, and they feed you a light snack in between.
The students seemed very happy and like they really enjoyed going to the school. The school is relatively close to some nice areas. Also, you are on campus with the veterinary medicine school and school of osteopathic medicine, so you get free vet visits from the vet students and free massages from the osteopathic students. Good deal... Also, the interior of the facilities was very nice.
The faculty were really nice, welcoming, and very enthusiastic about the program. Very impressive with their reputation of having high passing rate on Naplex.
The faculty, alumni, staff and students. Out of the 3 different schools I have attended for interviews, Western's staff/faculty/etc have been the nicest and most welcoming. The interview was so relaxing, they really made me feel so comfortable. I enjoyed the brief tour/intro about the school (they offer things that other pharm schools don't... like working with other health students from different fields, and other stuff). I also like that fact that the students do 1.5 years of rotations.
very nice prof and student. They do not waste your time. Brief tour, brief speech, brief interview. People seemed like they cared. I was out by 12:00PM, and some were out even by 11:00am.
-The sense of community and dedication among students and staff toward each other
-accessibility of staff
-I think this school set the record for longest interview+presentation time, but their effort says a lot
The building, the hexagonal classrooms with cool overhead projectors, the cafetaria with tons of fridges & microwaves, and anything they have there.
I really liked the people I interviewed with. They were enthusiastic and really cool. The classroom facilities are also nice. Oh, and I was accepted, so that left a positive impression :)
nothing. they are so starnge. I will give them this much, they do evrything in thier poswer to make you feel stress free and comfortable. So mcuh so that you think you did AWSOME on your interview. I think every person that I spoke to said that thier interview went well. On the otherhand, many at USC said their interview was terrible.
The faculty, students, staff were all very welcoming. Very warm. The current pharmacy students also seem very down-to-earth, humble, and honest. I think whats different about this school is that theres no gung-ho crazy fanatical school pride kinda thing. Whether thats a good thing or a bad thing I guess depends on you.
The school is located in a very nice area. In addition the students are very happy and proud to be there, and they seem to be relaxed which is very conforting to see.
All professors and students there were really nice and friendly. Students shared us their school-life at Western and it was very helpful. They all welcomed us and made us very confortable.
I was impressed by how nice the interviewers, staff, and current students were. The inside classrooms were pretty nice. My faculty interviewers were proud to be at Western and believe that they have a good program.
Current students were available to talk about their experiences at Western while I waited to be interviewed. They kept it real, telling us what they liked and didn't like about the school. The faculty interviewers were very friendly and so was my student interviewer. The staff were thoughtful, providing us with punch and cookies. The school was small, but the classrooms were nice-looking and technologically advanced.
Everybody there was so nice, friendly and very helpful too. They'll answer you every single question that you ask and they made u feel comfortable asking them.
The friendliness of the faculty/staff, the inside of their buildings is actually really nice (compared to outside appearance), their main lecture room is awesome.
They are very friendly. The school is small and its easy to become aquainted with both students and the faculty. The program seems to be geared towards really "helping" people and making a differnce. We got to go into the President's HUGE office and hear what he had to say to us.
Everybody at Western University is really friendly. They will be open to answer any questions you have about the school. Also, the school program is very team oriented. So if you like working together as a group, this is the school for you.
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions about the location of the school, particularly mentioning safety concerns, the surrounding neighborhood, and lack of amenities like food options on campus. Many also noted a lack of enthusiasm and professionalism among students and staff during the interview process, impacting their overall experience and perception of the school. Suggestions included improving campus aesthetics, enhancing student engagement, and addressing safety and convenience issues in the surrounding area.
The sheer amount of PEOPLE that were there! It was very intimidating at first. The critical thinking exam was probably my least favorite part of the interview process as well. The essay portion was not bad at all.
Students that were present seemed stand-offish during the interview orientation day. Although it is a mixed environment with international students, language shouldn't be a barrier. I definitely felt as though the students did not try to "sell" their school.
Nothing was really negative. I had attended an info session a few months prior and already got acquainted with the school. So I didn't participate in their optional tour at the end.
The location of the school is not that pleasant, but I don't think it's as bad as the area near USC. There's no cafeteria or really any good place to eat at nearby. You have to drive out to get food somewhere.
It's in a pretty bad area. The school is not even separated by a parking lot from the town and bums w/ shopping carts can walk through the school. The only place to have lunch is Subway. I would not want to live anywhere near the school.
Many of you may be wondering why the scores I have given for school is low. From my experience with other interviews, the professionalism seemed to be lacking in the students and the professor. At other interviews I have attended, the students volunteering to guide the interviewees were really enthusiastic informing the interviewees and answering questions; many actually tried to get to know the interviewees personally and treat each one as a potential future student that they would like to spend time with. Today, I saw many young individuals who looked professional in suits and skirts but acting immature. Many were busy talking to each other and seemed to be there to show off to the interviewees that they are young individuals that looked professional who have been accepted already. I did not sense the sincerity to help out in some students. I even received the same impression from the professor that interviewed me (She was young and attractive; nothing wrong with that but I felt that her effort was a little bit too much (dyed hair, lots of make up at 8 in the morning)). I wondered, if that was the impression that a sincere professor would want to make on potential students. I am a guy; I loved what I saw. But it just seemed that her effort was ill intended and out of place.
No food on campus. I ate breakfast before the interview but got hungry again after 3 hours. Suggestion: Bring some snack with you (even if you ate breakfast already)=)
-the school was quite embedded, er..integrated with the town. However, I think they are aware of this since they had people directing traffic.
-There were many unpolished things throughout the day here and there. I also thought it was weird that there was an absence of staff/students to greet students as they arrived. It was kind of funny seeing people in business suits and briefcases lining up in a cramped lobby without confidently knowing why. But then again, you have to give them cred for running a five hour show:)
During the interview itself, you get interviewed by two faculty members and a student. The faculty members were very mean and they picked on everything I said making me feel very uncomfortable. They also asked many questions. But Thank God, only by prayers, I was able to get in.
It was raining so we didn't get a tour of the campus but got a virtual tour (pointing at a building on a map and saying this is the ____ building...). Our orientation was not very complete (the financial aid people decided not to show up).
The school is located in rural area and smelled pretty badly. But you will get used to it after a while. I also learned that school doesn't have any cafeteria, so you have to go outside to buy your lunch. It is kind of inconvenience.
We were divided into two groups. I was group B and had to take the writing portion first. After that we went on the school tour and returned to the building for the interview. I had to wait 15 min before my interviewer came to get me. It sure felt like 15days isolated in the desert. Luckily there was a third yr student talking to us the whole time.
Okay, I didn't know if it was just my imagination, but the air around Western and the surrounding area reeked of cow poop. I guess it's just something you get used to, but try eating your Subway sandwich outside and getting a continuous whiff of the air. Not cute...
The immediate area is ghetto and there is no nice campus to make up for it. In fact, the school consists of one building in the middle of what looks like an out-door shopping center. There is no cafeteria and most of the students go off campus for lunch or even after class is over. Oh, and there is a rail-road track right across the school that make a lot of noise.
The campus is really on a ghetto side of town. The campus is also really really small. Let's just say it isn't on the prettiest side of town and the University itself isn't the best looking.
the school is really, really small and old (the tour was less than 10 mins)...and not too exciting. students don't seem to stick around after school hours because hardly no students were around. also, the student who lead the tour was not really interested in impressing us...and the day was kind of dead
Applicants commonly wished they had known about the interview format, informal nature of the process, and what to wear. Many also mentioned wanting more information on parking, the location, and potential scenarios or questions to prepare for. Overall, suggestions included familiarizing oneself with the area, dressing appropriately, and arriving early to avoid any unexpected delays.
That it would be a group interview with one professor and one P2 student
Nothing. I have friends attending the school so it was very useful asking them questions about their interview and getting a better understanding of the process before getting there.
A street leading to the school was blocked off by a flea market. Just give plenty of time to become familiar with the area. Parking on the weekends is free, and the 1 or 2 hr spots are all day.
It seemed like mostly every single person there wore a black suit and a white collar shirt, except for me. Maybe, I've should've worn the same thing or maybe it's a good think to stand out. Not sure.
How short the interview was! The question portion was very short and then for the rest of the interview, we just chit-chatted. At the end of the interview, I asked the P1 student "that was it?"
The interview was at 7:30am. The sun was in my eyes driving all the way up the 57North and I couldn't see the signs. The one thing I wish I knew is that along the 57N, there is a portion that merges with the 60 Freeway and then splits off again into the 57. It was really hard to see b/c you are driving into the sun at that time in the morning. I got lost, but fortunately I got there on time.
I have lived in both Southern and Northern California. The people are very different even within the same state. I may be biased but many at Western seemed the immature crowd that you would see in Southern California who cares so much about how they are judged by others (too self conscience).
I wish I had visited the school ahead of time. I always heard of Western as a new school, and therefore was considering Western to be a "backup" school than a first choice school. When I actually got there and talked to the teachers and students there, my mind was changed and I really think they changed my mind about the school.
nothing, but I learned that they just got a private dormitory (own by others, not by school) in campus. Although it is kind of expensive, it is very close to school (only 1 min)and very convenient. You can also have your pet if you want to. That's kind of neat.
The staff and faculty are much more friendly than I imagine. I feel that they are truly making a big effort to build the pharmacy school to make it a strong program. They are also a bit biased towards clinical pharmacy and I did not know this.
Applicants generally found the interview process at WesternU to be relaxed and conversational, with interviewers focusing on getting to know the candidates personally. Some expressed concerns about the length of the process and the variability in interviewer experiences, but overall, many applicants appreciated the friendly atmosphere and informative orientation provided by the school.
I know it is hard, especially if it is your first interview, but try your best to be RELAXED as possible. Also, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to know your responses ahead of time, and speak fluently and firmly. DO NOT make up answers or lie, the interviewer will know right away and the interview will go badly.
Western U is an established school that is still trying to be innovative and definitely emphasizes a lot of pumping out successful pharmacist. The surrounding area is slightly "ghetto" and not aesthetically appealing. There seems to be many apartments that are super close to the school, basically across the street. Many homeless people in the area. The nicest thing near the school was the Starbucks but you still needed a passcode to use the restroom, which is shocking to me...
Be yourself. I know everyone says that but remember you've already got a foot in the door with an interview invite. They just want to meet you to make sure you'd fit in with their school and exude a confidence in completing the program if admitted. Have fun!
They appear to be changing the essay questions, so no way to prepare. c/o 2013: over 1800 applicants (similar this yr), 430 interviewed, 92% with bachelor's. Interviewed with 1 faculty and 1 student. 2 weeks to know if you're in. Given a nice booklet titled 'Interview Day Orientation and Admissions Guidebook,' containing useful information. 30 students were admitted after the 1st interview, with 90 remaining seats for the 3 interviews (including 01/30). 1st yr has modified blocks with 10/yr, 18 days duration, 6hrs/day, only 1 subject. Every 5th and 10th blocks are review. Remediation rate approx 2%. Score needed to pass a class, 90%. Given a total of 3 chances to obtain this score. 45% of last yr's grads are working in a community pharmacy, 24% in a hospital, 3% academic pharmacy, 6% clinic based pharmacy, 9% indep community practice. Approx 23% of grads are in a residency. Was accepted 7 full business days post-interview via email.
Overall, this interview went really well for me. The interviewers are not there to scare you off or anything. They just really want to get to know you and see if you are really serious about pharmacy and about attending their school. Just be yourself. The interview was very conversational and easy-going. Although, it might depend on who you get to interview you. I was lucky and I got both an email and a letter in the mail 2 weeks later saying I got accepted.
The interview staff were very pleasant! They really just wanted to see your social skills more than how you answer technical questions. I didnt think my interview went well b/c the P1 interviewer gave me a weird look after one of response and everyone seemed to have a really positive experience. The competition was very stiff. But they got back to me after a week and a half!
I would just reccomend to stay calm...and a part of me also thinks, its a luck thing, it depends on who you get that interviews you, you can have a nice person, or a not so nice person....unfortunately, I had a not so nice person. :(
The interview went very well than I expected to be. The faculty member and student who interviewed me were very welcoming and made sure that I felt comfortable. I was nervous in the beginning, but as the interview went by, it wasn't so bad. Most of the time during the interview, we were just having a conversation. A couple of weeks later, I was able to get an acceptance. :)
I am sure there are other awesome students and interviewees who attended the previous interviews. But my experience today was very disappointing; so disappointing that I am considering other schools despite the fact that Western is close to home and I can transfer to a closer hospital branch that I currently work at. I believe educational environment is very important in college experience. The experience one gets at a prestigious four year university is incomparable to that of a community college. Having experiences in taking courses at both a prestigious school and a local community college, I can attest to the fact that Western felt like a community college that lacks professionalism and sincerity.
shocked! so many people were being interview and its was sooo early in the morning. THere was way too much down time waiting for financial aid people to talk and to write our essay. THe essay topic was hard. We took a tour of the school, i've seen it before though so nothing new. The interview was with a faculty member and a 1st year student. I was really calm in the interview but they started asking me tons of questions, my mouth started to get dry from so much talking. went home and was accepted this week :)
The interview is very early so load up on your coffee if you are like me. It is also very long, approximately 4-5 hours so plan on being there for a while.
Got there super early, waited for the faculty and the rest of the students to arrive. They staff handed out booklets and name tags. We all went to the P1 room, and were given a brief intro about the program (helpful and interesting). We were separated into 2 groups. One group left for the tour and writing sample while the other group stayed behind for the interviews. We were given snacks while we waiting and we had a chance to chat with the current students. One of our interviewers would come in and call our name when it was time, and then took us to our interview room. It was 2 on 1. Very relaxing interview (but I heard some people's was a little tougher). After our group was done interviewing we went to another room where we were provided with what we should expect in the next couple of weeks (accepted, rejected, hold, alternative) and a man gave a VERY informative speech about financial aid. Then we had our writing sample. Out of the 3 schools I have interviewed, this was the hardest writing question/sample. 8 working days later, I was accepted! Very happy!
This school really has a nice staff but I was interviewed in Feb. by WU. In March, by USC, its almost 8 weeks later and I received my status by USC but nothing from WU. This is a very important life changing info. you think they can give you a heads up?
My overall interview experience was great because they asked me to talk about myself and I think I spent about 10-15 minutes on it. Then they asked me a few more work situation scenario questions. Ten days later after my interview I was notified by email and a phone by the professor the following day that I got accepted. Thank You God.
Interview experience was very nerve racking for me since this was my first and only interview that I had with any sort of pharmacy school. I did not know what to expect and did not really know how to prepare all that well. I took things head on and did it honestly to the best of my ability.
Be Yourself! The worst thing you can do is to get overtly nervous and stumble on the questions. Take a deep breath and go in there thinking that you deserve to be there and they want to know you on a personal level. Do not be intimidated and ask questions. Don't memorize answer and be fake, they conduct the interview like a conversation so it will seem unnatural if you answer it from memorization. I got accepted!!
First, we meet in a classroom, where a faculty member goes over curriculum and "why WesternU", then divide into two groups: 1 group stays to write essay, the other group goes for interview. Each group does separate things after that.
We were all taken into a room (the one we would be having our classes at) and given a brief intro about the school and the schedule of the day. Then, we broke up into two groups. One group had interviews while the other group had the essay to write. I was in the first interview group. While you wait for your interview and after you are done, you have the opportunity to ask current students any questions. At my interview, I had a faculty member and a student both interview me at the same time. The interviewer introduced himself, then the student, and then they asked you questions. At the end, you are given a chance to ask them question. They really just wanted to know you as a person and it very much felt like a conversation. Essay question was non pharmacy related. Later, they had a guy come in and talk about financial aid. At the end of the day, you can either leave early or go on a tour of the campus given by a current student.
They are really just trying to get a clear sense of what kind/how strong of a team player you are. I got the sense they were in search of students who are able to add to the cohesion of the class unit. I could sense the dynamic of my future peers through their faculty, which is a good thing.
There were a lot of students there ~100. Everything went pretty fast, and by the time the interviews were done we were free to leave (it was still pretty early). There was an orientation, financial aid info session, writing sample, tour, break and then interviews.
it was nervous first, but i was getting comfortable because of friendly faculty members.. interview questions were pretty much simple. Essay question was -discuss risk in your life and how it influences you either positively or negatively
I was there for a pretty long time. Its was from 7:30am until 1pm so eat a big breakfast. They give u water, cookies, brownies and granola bars while you wait for your interview. The essay was easy. You are given 45 mins and the topic is about your life. It was just like having an intellectual convo with friends. Make sure to have many questions prepared. I felt like I asked them more questions than they asked me. Its very relaxing...... I got in!!!
The interview was very informal so I walked away feeling like I wasn't able to sell myself (since I am used to more direct, science-based questions). I was expecting them to ask me next, "what is your favorite color?"
Western is really making a name for itself and its high tech and new facilities are very impressive! I can't wait to go here since I got my acceptance letter a couple of weeks ago :)
urghh. why do we need to be there for so many hours? They do try to make it a stress free interview and experince. They appear to be a wonderful school. But you know what, Im not too sure about that. They appear to have their act toegther and seem like they would be much better choice than schools such as USC and UCSF. I was convinced of that at one point, but I am not too sure anymore. I question the judgement of MANY of their faculty and stuff as well as the school administartion. Hovever, there has been siginifact imrovemnt over the fast few years since thier first graduating class. Hopefully the trend will conitinue! We shall see. But for now, I am HIGHLY SCEPTICAL!
The interviewers are nice and friendly. It's very laid-back so basically there's nothing to be nervous and worried. The writing sample is a question about the class which you took before and impress you. I thought I did a bad job in my interview, whereas all the others seem to have done a great jobs; however, I was able to get a seat which I personally am surprised.
Interview was very relaxing. I was kind of nervous because I had the last interview group of the day, and the more I had to wait the more I got nervous. I saw other people coming back from the their interviews with smiles on their faces, and that made me even more nervous. All in all, though, the faculty and student interviewer try to be really friendly so that you can be comfortable in being yourself and to come up with good answers. All the questions they ask are on the SDN website, so definitely look up what kind of stuff they ask on here. Be prepared to answer the questions, but I would say, don't sound rehearsed. Just think of bullet points you want to bring up. All in all, I didn't think I did that well on the interview because I was nervous and also, during the interview, it seemed like they did more talking than I did. But just try to be yourself. And you never know what will happen, cuz I didn't expect anything after the interview and I got accepted.
orientation, interview (i was in the very first interview slot), break time with student hosts to answer any questions you have, essay, campus tour, financial aid and student services info session. be sure you eat a BIG meal before you come because you're gonna get hungry by the end. i swear i heard everybody's stomach growling, but you ahve to expect that after a 6 hour day.
be prepared to answer any question in your face it doesn't matter how you answer hard questions that they might through in your face, all what matter is that you don't lose your peace in front of them or get nervous, because they somethimes through question which they know you wont be able to answer to just see your reaction. So keep your peace
It was relatively stress free. Since it was the last interview, it was packed with people. I heard they interviewed 135 people just that day. We were split into 2 groups, one went to the interview and one went on a tour and had time to write the essay. It was a little nerve racking since you only get like 40 minutes and I was not familiar with the topic, but it is not pharmacy related so there is no way to prepare. The interview is very stress free. They just talk to you and do a very good job of making it very conversation like. Just chatting about your reasons for chosing pharmacy and the school and getting to know you. You don't get much time to shine, but it was a good experience
There was one faculty and one student. We took turns introducing ourselves and then they based their questions on what I had told them in my introduction. I ran out of questions to ask them since our conversation often only lasted a few minutes per topic.
This was by far the best interview experience I have had this school year. The interviewers were very friendly and it was more of an engagement in a conversation, rather than the usual formal style of question - answer - next question - next answer. I felt very at ease and believe that the interviewers were there to see how social you are and how well you communicate, NOT there to analyze answers to different questions they gave.
Overall, I had a very pleasant experience and all faculty members and students there were really nice and friendly. They were trying to get to know us and not to scare us. Also, there was an orientation before the interview and we had a chance to learn more about this school (It was very helpful). In addition, I had the interview on Saturday and traffic was not that bad. But try to arrive beforehand (at least 10 minutes).
I interviewed with UOP, USC, and WesternU, and all out of all these interviews, WesternU gave me the greatest impression and it's also the most stress-free out of all them.
Since I had interviews with other schools previous to Western, I felt less nervous and more relaxed. The faculty and students were really nice and made you feel like you were at home.
I heard stories from my friend telling how bad western is. But to my surprise, it was the opposite. Everyone was nice (well most schools are the same in this). The room is high-tech, and I heard from the students that we'll be high-tech once we graduate. I was placing USC over this school for a mile, but after the interview I think western deserves more merit. Overall, the experience was great and I will not regret if I have to go to western.
Besides the rain, my experience was good. I was more stressed out before the actual interview process but during interview i was more calm because the interviewers were friendly.
You are on campus from 1:45-5:00. There was an hour-long presentation given by the admissions staff about financial aid, what to expect on the interview and student services. Then, depending on which group you were in, you were either interviewed first and then given 40 minutes to write an essay, or vice versa. I was in the group that did the essay first and the interview last. I had the unfortunate interview time of 4:30, so I felt a bit rushed and did not get to ask alot of questions. Overall, the interview was more easy-going than I anticipated. They ask questions so they could get to know you, not trick you. Make sure you ask your interviewers questions to show your interest in the school. Remember to relax and be yourself. Good luck!
I really enjoy my experience at Western. Everyone was very helpful, friendly, and nice. I could feel that they genuinely want to help you feel less nervous. just be yourself!
The entire groups gets an hour long orientation (talks about financial aid etc), then you are split into two groups. One group starts interviews while the other starts the essay. Then you switch. There is a little campus tour thrown in there in the middle. The interview was EASY. It was like a conversation with friends, laughing and whatnot. A couple serious questions but nothing bad. The majority of questions they ask are from their sample interview questioins on their website. And I did get accepted.
I got there by 12 noon, and the whole process was from 1-5pm, but I didnt get my interview until 4:30pm! I was tired waiting for the interview. My interview went ok, but in the middle I lost track of what I was going to say. I thought I couldnt present myself well and impress the interviewers, until I received the acceptance letter! The interview is about to let them know the true you (especially your strength), so as long as you think you tell them who you are in a positive way, there is no reason to be nervous!
I was very nervous for the interview because it was the first pharmacy school interview I did. The actual interview was very easy going, but I did not take it easy. As a result, I feel like I didn't come off as confident as I would like have like to. But, listen up.. it's all about your attitude. Make sure to let them know that you are a great candidate for pharmacy and you have what it takes.
The interview here is really kick back. So don't stress yourself out. Just go there and do your best and you should be fine. Just make sure to think fast during the essay! You wouldn't believe how quick 40 minutes goes!
It was just a little too early for me (715AM), but overall a great experience. I found the essay portion more difficult than the interview when I thought it would be the other way around. If you can answer the 3 specific questions below, then you will pretty much be prepared for the interview. Aside from the questions below I was also asked: If a supervisor implemented a policy that you did not agree with, what would you do? What would you do if you were working on a group project and two of your members were not participating? How do you relieve your stress? Why do you believe you are a better candidate that the others? What is a positive and negative for clinical & retail pharmacy (since I've had exposure to both)? Be prepared to ask them questions at the end of your interview.
Overall, I think the interview is very easy going. They do not ask any question on current issues. Mostly, they just want to know about you. You will be interview by three people at the same time, 2 professors and a student. Their comments are equally evaluated so make sure you give equal eye contact to everyone.
The interview is closed file....they dont see your transcripts. They do see your resume though. Two faculty and one student interview you. Pay attention to all the interviewers. Make eye contact to all. Ask them each a question when they are done asking you questions. I had Dr. Sam as an interviewer and he likes people with a sense of humor...so lighten up a little. The essay question was super easy. This interview and essay never expected you to know any current event information, so don't worry about the HOT topics of pharmacy for Western...its strictly social. Make sure you emphasize that you are a team-worker.
I think I was overly nervous for a simple interview. (it's really simple) However, the other interviewers were really quiet and it made the day a little uncomfortable. The school itself disappointed me.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest the admissions office improve email response times, provide clearer information in confirmation emails, and consider reducing the number of students invited for each session to enhance the overall experience.
No need to read verbatum from the guidebook. Yes, a lady literally read to us from this booklet they gave us. Very picky about pre-requisites, perhaps reconsider your policy to allow for resonable substitions?
