Washington, DC
Pharmacy Schools | Private Non-Profit
HBCU
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
6.2
Mixed
Mixed experience; organization and communication appear average with varied impressions and occasional stress.
Based on 202 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 as average compared to other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (60%)
Negatively (13%)
No change (27%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (46%)
Good (32%)
Average (16%)
Poor (3%)
Bad (3%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the school impressive, with positive comments on the faculty, alumni, facilities, and location. However, there were recurring concerns about disorganization in the interview process, lack of clear communication regarding admissions decisions, and the need for improvements in technology and communication.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I really was impressed with the Dean, the alumni and students we interviewed with and met. The facilities and traditions of the school are great. If you want a great school to prepare you to work in a diverse work world then this school is a great choice.
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Overall, I was impressed with Howard's program. The associate dean even called to follow-up later in the week after my interview. DC is a great place to be, especially if you are interested in working for a federal health agency.
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Great school just honored to be granted an interview and humbled by the experience.
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The atmosphere was amazing. From the interview and tour I felt like this would be the best place for me to attend school. Also, this school has some of the best professors in the field of pharmacy which is a plus.
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Review math, conversion from mg, microgram, dose, litter, roman numerials, dm, cm and some basic calculus.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
23 Minutes Average
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Number:
2 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
86% One-on-One
14% Group Interview
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File Type:
17% Open-File
83% Closed-File
HOWARD-PHARM-COMP interviews are an average of 23 minutes, with an average of 2 interviews. 86% of interviews are one-on-one, and 83% are closed-file.
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 ethical dilemmas (e.g., friend asking to cheat), motivations for choosing the specific school and profession (e.g., Why pharmacy? Why Howard?), career goals (e.g., Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?), and personal interests and experiences related to pharmacy. Some responses also indicate the use of MMI format and potential nondisclosure agreements due to the nature of the questions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What would you do if your friend asked you to cheat
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Why did you apply at Howard University?
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What do you know about pharmacy?
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Why Howard SOP?
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Why howard?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Howard University College of Pharmacy discussed various scenarios including ethical dilemmas, teamwork challenges, and future career goals. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) as several responses alluded to nondisclosure agreements, while other questions focused on justifying one's candidacy for the last spot available.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What do you think a pharmacist does?
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If you caught your friend cheating during an exam, what would you do?
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Do you really go to Walmart in Nashville when your bored? (LOL their opinions of me being from the South were definitely interesting)
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Would you lie for another student saying they completed their fair share of the assignment if they were in jeopardy of failing pharmacy school?
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No interesting question
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by conducting mock interviews, researching the school and its website, reviewing common interview questions from platforms like SDN, practicing interview skills, and seeking advice from alumni or current students. Many emphasized the importance of knowing why they want to pursue pharmacy and specifically why they applied to the school, as well as being prepared for questions related to their personal experiences and qualifications.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I did a mock interview. I read about the school.
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Made sure my stories are straight and tried not to be too stressed out.
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Visited the Howard website and researched basic interview questions.
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SDN forums and google and lots of prayer
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Reviewed basic math for the math test, rehearsed the interview process, and got a good night's sleep.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Howard University College of Pharmacy discussed the challenging scenario of justifying their candidacy for a single remaining slot multiple times, along with questions about handling ethical dilemmas like catching a classmate cheating. The interviews seemed to follow an MMI format, as indicated by the variety of ethical and situational questions, potentially subject to a nondisclosure agreement due to the repetition of similar questions and the nature of the inquiries posed.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why should we choose you if there were only one slot?
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What would you do if you caught a classmate cheating?
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If they were 75 seats in this class why should you get the 75th? She asked 3 times everytime I responded the interviewers countered like well this candidate is smarter than you etc. I think she was trying to get a rise out of me.
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No difficult question
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What is pharmacy.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the diversity of the campus, the friendliness of the staff and students, the emphasis on preparing students for success, the enthusiasm of current students and faculty, the convenient location, and the organized and welcoming atmosphere throughout the application process. Additionally, the historical significance and resources of the school, the personal connections between students and faculty, and the transportation options to the campus were highlighted as positive aspects by many applicants.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I loved the diversity of the campus. I loved that the bulletin boards showed lots of evidence that the school provides information for the students to prepare for the NAPLEX and succeed. The new drug facilities are marvelous. The people I encountered in the interview were friendly and very kind.
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The dean seems to be very professional and really care about his program and the profession itself.
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The friendliness of the pharmacy students, one even walked me from the SOP to a busy street and hailed a cab for me.
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How much the students enjoyed being at Howard and them discussing all of the opportunities the school has given to them. One of my interviewers was a Howard Pharmacy School Alumni
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The stories from current students. The feedback of the students
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative feedback regarding disorganization in the interview process, old and run-down facilities, unprofessional behavior from staff or professors, lack of technological advancement, slow responses, and issues with the location and surroundings of the school. Suggestions included improving organization, updating facilities, addressing rude behavior, enhancing communication, and making the interview process more streamlined and professional.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I just did not like starting off wrong by being given the wrong time to arrive.
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Parking.
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Some mistakes on the math exam that we took.
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D.C cost of living coming from Nashville it definitely a sticker shock.
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One of the professors was extremely rude as he was in a rush to go to a seminar.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known about the specific interview format, the length of the process, the simplicity of the math quiz, the importance of being prepared for questions about their pharmacy experience, and the need for comfortable footwear due to extensive walking. Additionally, they recommended researching the school and being aware of potential disorganization during the interview day.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I wish I had known it was a closed file interview.
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Nothing, this was my second time interviewing.
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N/A.
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About the metro system from arriving at the airport I was a little confused on how to get to the school
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More information about the school itself
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as 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 commonly suggest that the admissions office should select current students who represent the program well and ensure clear communication of interview times. Additionally, there are suggestions to improve organization, provide longer campus tours, increase staffing during the admissions process, and ensure that professors are available for interviews.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Choose current students that actually represent the program well. students did not seem happy.
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I was invited to an interview at 10:00. NOWHERE did it mention an earlier time. I arrived 15 minutes early to find out I was actually fifteen minutes late. Another girl came when I did. We compared our letters with others and theirs had an earlier time than our letter. This was a disconcerting way to begin. When we took our math exam there was loud talking in the hall. If the objective was to see how well we handled ourselves under pressure then it was a good plan. If your object was to see what math we knew then perhaps it was not a good plan. My suggestion is to have a quiet test and be sure everyone has the same letter. Everything else was great.
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Longer time for tour around campus.
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Just more staffing at the time of my interview It seemed like only a few staff members carried the brunt of the whole admissions process.
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Provide the best professors for the interview process as all of the interviewers were MIA the day of the interview. I would suggest they do not schedule interviews on the same day as other pharmacy seminars or events are being held because the professors seemed preoccupied.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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BWI
40% interviewees used BWI (BWI), with 33% using DCA (DCA) and 7% using IAD (IAD) and 7% using Reagan (Reagan) and 7% using dulles (dulles) and 7% using Ronald Regan (Ronald Regan).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by airplane to the interview.
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52% Airplane
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35% Automobile
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13% Train or Subway
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0% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Henley Park (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at Marriot (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Henley Park
10/10
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Marriot
10/10
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Red Roof Inn
9/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of 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
Faculty member (5%)
Other (3%)
Student (92%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Discouraging (3%)
Enthusiastic (77%)
Neutral (20%)
All Responses
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