Vallejo, CA
Pharmacy Schools | Private Non-Profit
Application Cycle: 2015-16
⭐ Overall Impressions
How do you rank the facilities?
2 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
5 out of 10
0 = Below, 10 = Above
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
4 out of 10
0 = Below, 10 = Above
What is your ranking of this school's location?
2 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
8 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
3 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
4 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
💬 Interview Questions
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
What drug fascinates you above all others? Why is this drug so meaningful to you and how did it influence your interest in pharmacy? (For me, it was not a specific drug that interested me in pharmacy, so don't feel obliged to give a direct answer here)
What was the most interesting question?
Imagine if all of a sudden that there were no more pharmacists (as in the dispensing role of pharmacists is gone). What would you do then? (be creative with this one; think of something related to drug monitoring and/or regulation, for example)
What was the most difficult question?
Name two attributes that you feel are the MOST IMPORTANT for a pharmacist to have? (that's tough because you're being interviewed with 3-4 other students, so try to answer this one FIRST)
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions
How long was the interview?
60+ minutes
How did the interview impress you?
No change 😐
How many people interviewed you?
3
What was the stress level of the interview?
4 out of 10
0 = Low Stress, 10 = High Stress
How you think you did?
10 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What was the style of the interview?
In a group
What type of interview was it?
Open file
Where did the interview take place?
At the school
How did you prepare for the interview?
Gather some sample questions, this website has plenty. Develop good answers for them (short and to the point is best). Also be careful not to deviate from your primary and secondary application responses, because this is an open-file interview, and the interviewers knew all of our backgrounds before being interviewed. And of course, research the program and know exactly what you will say when asked "why this school"?
What impressed you positively?
The positive attitude and friendliness of the staff and interviewers was a plus.
What impressed you negatively?
Where to begin? First, the school itself is rather shanty and outdated (especially the "cafeteria" area and library). The campus is also extremely small, the classrooms were small, the overall feel I got was being cramped. The surrounding area is not so great, housing is hard to come by and more on the expensive side. One of the interviewers and a public health speaker were late, so the entire interview process was held back and some parts were cut short - not a very good impression :(
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
About where to park if you were to take your own car. It's a good thing I did not because apparently the traffic just to get onto Mare Island is a NIGHTMARE in the morning hours. I ended up taking the shuttle from the Mariott (by sheer luck I ran into the driver that same morning)
What are your general comments?
IMPORTANT! READ HERE: Listen, for this school, you will be interviewed alongside 3-4 other students, the same question will be asked and each of you will respond. Try to be the FIRST to answer the questions, it shows confidence and eagerness, and you won't be forced to change your answer because someone else answered what you wanted to say ~~~ The nature of the program is pretty attracting, the 2+2 program is pretty interesting but the school itself and the environment are not to my liking whatsoever.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Be more prompt and organized come interview dates! Also, they should try to speed up their post-interview responses and feedback.
📍 On-Site Experience
Who was the tour given by?
Student
How did the tour guide seem?
Neutral
What is your in-state status?
In state
What were your total hours spent traveling?
4-6 hours
What was your primary mode of travel?
Automobile
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
$201-$300
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
Courtyard Vallejo Napa Valley
How would you rate the hotel?
7 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
Would you recommend the hotel?
Yes
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