Seattle, WA
Pharmacy Schools | Public Non-Profit
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.6
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 218 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 (91%)
Negatively (4%)
No change (4%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (38%)
Good (54%)
Poor (8%)
What are your general comments?
The most common feedback shared by applicants is to thoroughly know their application and essays, speak passionately and confidently during the interview, and stay relaxed and be themselves. Some applicants mentioned feeling well-prepared, while others suggested improvements in organization and hospitality during the interview process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Make sure you know what you put on your application and essays. They read everything before you go in.
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Great School, Students and Staff were awesome!
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Study your essays like your life depends on it. Speak passionately and from your heart because they want to see who the person is behind those essays. Be confident and I know it's hard to say but everyone is nervous, try not to let it mess you up. You are your own biggest critic so don't worry anout what happens after the interview. It'll add unnecessary stress that you don't need because you can't change what happened. Don't nitpick over what you said in the interview, it'll drive you insane! Like one of the students told us during the coffee hour, "you wouldn't be here if they didn't believe that you have what it takes to be here. You are more than half way done." Be proud of what you've accomplished.
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The interview was stressful because its an interview for pharmacy school but the faculty made it as relaxing as possible.
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This was my favorite interview out of all of them to date.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
38 Minutes Average
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Number:
3 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
56% One-on-One
44% Group Interview
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File Type:
98% Open-File
2% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
UW-PHARM-COMP interviews are an average of 38 minutes, with an average of 3 interviews. 56% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 2% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools were focused on why the candidate chose pharmacy, ethical scenarios, challenges overcome, and personal experiences related to the field. Some respondents mentioned an MMI format, ethical dilemmas like toxic dosages, challenges in pharmacy settings, and questions about personal motivations and experiences. Additionally, some respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement based on mentions of 'non-disclosure' or 'nondisclosure' in their responses.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why UW/Seattle?
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Most of the questions are very general. Why pharmacy?
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Tell me about yourself? Why pharmacy? Why Washington and not schools in your home town?
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Why UW/Seattle? Why pharmacy?
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How do you want us to remember you?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at University of Washington School of Pharmacy discussed a wide range of topics, including personal attributes, ethical dilemmas, hypothetical scenarios, and historical figures. While some responses indicated personal questions tailored to the applicants' backgrounds, many questions seemed to delve into applicants' personal statements, supplemental applications, and essays to spark discussions. Notably, there were references to MMI format interviews with questions relating to nondisclosure agreements, suggesting a structured interview process that may involve scenarios and ethical considerations.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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None, most were very basic
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We talked about Big Bang Theory, Local Pharmacists asked me, Which character do you think you are most like?
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Asked me about one of the electives I took. Probably to destress me haha.
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Questions that arise from my essays that i was surprised they asked about.
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What if you were put in a position where you were not the leader? (I had talked about my leadership style)
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for interviews by reviewing their personal statements, practicing with mock interviews, utilizing resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN), and focusing on their application essays to ensure they were well-prepared for questions tailored to their experiences. They also sought advice from pharmacists, practiced answering common questions, and researched current pharmacy and health-related topics to feel confident and ready for the interview process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Read personal statement. Outside of why UW/Seattle and greatest weakness/strength and challenges questions, most are questions about your experiences you wrote in personal statement
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SDN, School website
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Friend who was a P1, told me to be yourself, it is like making friends
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Read my essays and personal statement, looked at some questions on SDN but they REALLY ask you questions based on your essays. Seriously, make sure you know what you wrote and how you can expand upon those experiences. It was hard for me to fill this survey out bc I feel like those questions were based on my experiences and aside from the first two generic questions (why pharmacy, why this school), it was tailored towards me as an applicant. They really took the time to read and analyze what you wrote so take your time in reviewing your essays, I cannot stress this enough. Hopefully some of the questions I could provide would give future interviewees an idea of what they could ask.
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I reviewed my essays and interview feed back on SDN.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at University of Washington School of Pharmacy discussed various scenarios, including challenges in pharmacy practice, ethical dilemmas, situational questions about patient care, future aspirations, personal experiences shaping character, and healthcare system inquiries. Notably, some responses indicated a focus on pharmacy ethics, handling difficult patient situations, transferring primary care responsibilities to pharmacies, and discussing healthcare issues impacting the field.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What will be your biggest challenge when you come here?
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What does Metformin do? Wrote about it in PS because my father has Diabetes
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I see that you have applied through pharmcas last year. Tell me about what happened and why you are here today. (I was really surprised that they knew this so I got scared and probably did not answer it in a way that showed my strength and dedication towards pharmacy school...). Another hard question was "what does a clinical specialist in oncology do?" Since I wrote that is my goal.
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Was there a time when you felt vulnerable? (Worded a bit differently than that. I forgot exactly how they asked it)
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Is taking medication always beneficial to the patient.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the friendly, welcoming, and conversational nature of the interview process, with interviewers showing genuine interest in getting to know them as individuals. They appreciated the relaxed environment, thoughtful questions, and prompt communication, as well as the beautiful campus and the enthusiasm of both faculty and students. Suggestions include maintaining the personalized and friendly approach, continuing to show interest in each applicant, and highlighting the positive aspects of the campus and program.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Interview was very conversational. Faculty made the process very comfortable
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How enthusiastic the interviewers are. The interviewers really try to get to know you as a person.
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No essay just straight Interview
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The admissions staff, students, and the 3 people who interviewed me were absolutely delightful! They were so kind and you could tell they genuinely wanted you there and to see what their school/program is about. My interviewers were from admissions, one professor, and a graduate school researcher? They were friendly and easy to talk to but did throw some questions my way that made me even more nervous.
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How friendly the faulty are.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions related to a lack of financial aid information, disorganization during the interview process, inadequacy of tours, outdated facilities, and insufficient campus information. Suggestions included improving communication, providing more comprehensive tours, updating facilities, and ensuring clarity on financial aid and academic programs.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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No financial aid presentation
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None
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Nothing really that the school did on purpose. Finding the school itself was a challenge itself.
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Nothing.
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They didn't straight up ask the questions - sometimes it felt as if they weren't sure what questions to ask and that they thought of the questions at the moment.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known that the interview process was more relaxed and focused on personal statements, that they should expect specific questions related to their application, and that they should be prepared to discuss current healthcare issues in pharmacy. Additionally, many suggested wearing comfortable shoes, being aware of Seattle's weather, and avoiding bringing unnecessary items to the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Calm down, its one of the easier interviews, they are really just going to talk about what you wrote in your personal statement.
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Read your PS and Supplemental, they highlight areas in those writings and will ask you about it.
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More about current healthcare issues regarding pharmacy.
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The weird questions that they asked from your essays.
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The interview is extremely centered towards the interviewee and his/her application. Most of the questions I saw on SDN were not asked of me.
🤝 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 commonly suggest that the admissions office should provide more flexibility in scheduling school tours and interviews, notify applicants about interviews earlier, reduce waiting times between orientation and interviews, offer interviews on weekends or holidays, and provide more information about the school and its offerings during the admissions process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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They should mention that the school tours do not necessarily have to begin at their designated time of noon. After my interview, the pharmacy students there took the interviewees on a tour well before some of their interviews and before noon. I guess to be clear with that.
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Let us know about our interviews a few weeks in advance! I got my invitation pretty much seven days before I had my interview.
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I found it difficult because I had to wait for 3 hours from my orientation until my interview which got kind of annoying.
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Give interviews on weekends or school holidays!
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There should have been some kind of tour and financial aid sessions. It seemed like they werent trying to impress or recruit us. They should put some effort into selling us on their school like we are trying to sell ourselves to them!
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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SEA
27% interviewees used SEA (SEA), with 18% using Sea-Tac (Sea-Tac) and 9% using sea (sea) and 9% using na (na) and 9% using SeaTac (SeaTac) and 9% using & Seattle-Tacoma Airport (LAX) and 9% using Seatac? (Seatac?) and 9% using Seattle-Tacoma Airport (Seattle-Tacoma Airport).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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37% Airplane
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51% Automobile
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0% Train or Subway
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11% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the University Inn (average ranking 8/10), with some staying at Crown Plaza- use Hotwire!! (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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University Inn
8/10
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Crown Plaza- use Hotwire!!
10/10
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Watertown Hotel
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 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
Admissions staff (8%)
Faculty member (5%)
Other (3%)
Student (85%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Discouraging (3%)
Enthusiastic (70%)
Neutral (27%)
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