Plus by asking great questions to your interviewers, you’ll easily stand out from the crowd because a lot of applicants forget to ask questions! You don’t want to ask questions that are easily found on the program’s website or that are superficial in nature (aka don’t ask someone how much they make). And make sure to do your research before your interview that way you know what information you still need to find out.

You want to ask questions that show your interest in the pharmacy profession and show how serious you are in the program without being too extreme. Here are some examples of some questions that would be perfect for your pharmacy school interview:

What opportunities are there for student leadership?

This question shows your interviewer that you’re interested in becoming a leader in the pharmacy profession and shows your understanding of the role of a pharmacist in the healthcare team. Plus by asking about leadership positions, you’re showing to your interviewer that you are willing to take on more responsibility beyond coursework, which is really important for an interviewer to see.

I am interested in doing research during my time in school. Are there any research opportunities for students to get involved in?

Research is super important in the healthcare team because medicine is continuedly changing based off new findings in the literature. Almost every professor at the college of pharmacy is involved in research, and it’s a great way to build up your resume for future job opportunities. Don’t be scared of research if it’s something that you’ve never done before. You can always learn!

What type of students do the best in this type of school environment?

Finding the perfect pharmacy program for you is just as important for the college because they want all of their students to be successful in the program. Asking exactly the type of the student the program is looking for allows you to show your interviewer how you fit the bill and vice versa. You also might want to ask whether or not there are support systems or study groups to help students be successful in their career, especially if you’re going to need that for personal growth.

What made you decide that you wanted to be a pharmacist?

I love asking any pharmacist that I meet this question because it really puts a new preceptive on what drives people and a different view about the pharmacy profession. It also allows you to have a personal conversation with your interviewer that can help relax you in your interview and be more comfortable.

What is the hardest and easiest part of your job as a pharmacist?

Again, a really great question to ask your interviewer because it allows you to get more comfortable and gives the interviewer the chance to talk about themselves. Plus this question can give you some insight on what it is like being a pharmacist and if it’s something that you still want to pursue.

Where are some of your recent graduates employed at?

By asking this type of question, it can show your interviewer that you are already looking into your future career as a pharmacist and are generally interested to see what the alumni from this program are doing. Having a PharmD degree can really open a wealth of doors for career opportunities and it’s a great idea to open up your eyes of everything you can do one day.

Questions about your career field that you are interested in within the pharmacy profession.

This goes with the question above about asking questions about the profession and the different career paths that you can take. Plus by asking this questions, it shows your interviewer your curiosity to know about pharmacy and your desire to do more than just attend college.

What types scholarships are available for pharmacy students to help with the tuition burden?

Pharmacy school is an expensive adventure and being able to supplement student loans with scholarships can make a big difference in the long run. Asking about those opportunities at the beginning is a great way to show your interviewer that you are serious about your education and that you are planning to do well in the program.

Your pharmacy school interview is a great opportunity to prove yourself to your interviewer and for you to learn more about the program. Asking great questions near the end of the interview is going to make you look more professional and polished and leave an awesome lasting impression on your interviewer. But regardless, the best advice that I can give you is be calm and be confident in your abilities and in your resume and allow your personality shine through your interview. Best of luck!

You may also like: 3 Study Tips to Ace the PCAT, How to Ace Your Pharmacy or Medical School Interview, and How I Gained Pharmacy Experience As A Freshmen in College 

The post 8 Questions to Ask During Your Pharmacy School Interview appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

I remember like it was yesterday when I had to go into this large building, sit in a tiny room that was freezing, and had to actually take the test. I was so nervous I could barely concentrate! Then after the exam was over, I was so exhausted from it like could go into hibernation for a few years type of tired. Like, have you ever felt like your brain actually be tired? Imagine that and times it by 5. That’s how I felt.

But the good thing is that you don’t have to be like me! You can go ahead and implicate these three study tips that will help you ace the PCAT with less stress and more confidence, then when I took the PCAT.

So let’s get started!

Take practice exams

A lot of really good programs or books offer practice exams in the back of the book or online. Take as many practice exams as you can. You also break the exams down into each section so if you’re currently studying the math section, then you can just take the Math section of the practice exam to mark your progress.

There are also great practice exams online for you to test out and see how you do. Practice exams allow you to get the feel of the type of questions you’ll be tested on and give you the opportunity to work on your testing taking speed. When it comes to exam day, everything goes by super-fast, including the time limit for each section.

Here are some really popular study materials that include practice exams and examples:

Kaplan Prep Plus 2018-2019

PCAT Secret Study Guide

Study a little bit every day

The biggest problem with the PCAT that it includes everything you’ve learned in the first two years of college or everything you studied for the pharmacy prerequisites for pharmacy school. There’s just too much material to try to cram everything into a few weeks or even one month of studying. Plan to study anywhere from three to five months for the PCAT.

The best way to really retain the information that you’ll be going cover is to chop the information down into bite-sized pieces and study a little bit every day. That way you get the chance to actually understand the material, but you’ll retain it for a longer period of time.

Don’t overwhelm yourself with trying to learn everything before the exam  

Some students try to learn everything there is possible before the official exam date for the PCAT, but trust me, it’s just not possible. You can try as hard as you might, but you won’t succeed. The best tip that I can give you about studying for the PCAT is to study the most on the subjects that you give you the hardest time or takes you the longest to do. For me, that was math and chemistry so I spent a lot of time practicing problems and watching videos to help me learn the material.

The thing with the PCAT is that it’s all of the material that you covered or will cover in the first two years of college so most of the material will be something you’ve already learned. Don’t fret that you can remember everything off the top of your head. Most of the information that you will need will eventually come back and make more sense on the exam when its fresh.

Hopefully, I didn’t scare you with all of that information, but the PCAT is definitely something that you can overwhelm and do quite well on as long as you prepare for it. Preparation is literally the key to success! Just be prepared, study in pieces, and take your time when it comes to taking the PCAT.

You may also like: How to Gain Pharmacy Experience as a Freshmen in College, How to Ace Your Pharmacy School Interview, and 8 Questions to Ask During Your Pharmacy School Interview

The post 3 Study Tips to Ace the PCAT appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.