Keith Chung, PharmD: January 2008 Archives

Pharmacy school admission committee strive to attain students who will perform well in school and then someone  who could contribute to pharmacy profession.  Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) scores and undergraduate grade point averages predict academic success in pharmacy school but nontraditional or  noncognitive variables, such as oral communication skills, maturity, integrity, compassion, and leadership are essential traits for good professional practice.  Those factors can only be assessed by interviewing potential
students.  However, the assessment of students' noncognitive factors can be subjective. In order to effectively interview applicants effectively to elicit the most information in a fair and consistent manner, pharmacy school admission committe utilizes predefined questions.  Thus  applicants are asked similar questions to ensure  airness and minimize bias (ie, some applicants may be asked easier questions than others, depending on the interviewer). Most schools of pharmacy utilize predefined questions as admission interview criteria.  Of course, one infamous question is "why pharmacy?"  That question is actually fair and justified question.  I was asked that same question during my pharmacy school interview.  Ask a friend who has interviewed at specific school you desire to attend.  If you lack those worthy friends, seek those questions via internet.  There are many forums in regards to school interview procedures and comments of students after interview.