Did you interview at USC?

[kathiie]

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I have an interview at USC this Saturday (March 18). Can anyone tell me what their experience was like with this school?

What was the interview process like?
What kinds of quiestions were you asked?
Was it pretty relaxed, or did you ever feel like you were being "grilled"?
What was the essay topic you got and how long did you have to write it?

Also, they told me in the letter to bring a "300" word essay on what i've done to prepare for pharmacy -- what exactly do they do with this?

Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks! 😳

 

[thaliagoo]

It really depends on your interviewer but mine was very pleasant. The questions are typical-- go to pharmacy interview on the SDN page to look at USC questions. The interview itself is very short, only 20 minutes.

The essay basically tests your notetaking skills. You read an article and rewrite it in fewer words, which is great 'cuz you don't have to think.

The essay that they asked you to bring just gives them stuff to talk about at the interview. They don't take out your application file, for some reason. My interviewer didn't really read mine so none of my questions were specific.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[dreaminpharmd]

I have an interview at USC this Saturday (March 18). Can anyone tell me what their experience was like with this school?

What was the interview process like?
What kinds of quiestions were you asked?
Was it pretty relaxed, or did you ever feel like you were being "grilled"?
What was the essay topic you got and how long did you have to write it?

Also, they told me in the letter to bring a "300" word essay on what i've done to prepare for pharmacy -- what exactly do they do with this?

Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks! 😳

Hey kathiie,

Congrats on your interview. The interview process was simple....arrive early to talk to 1st year students (get a feel of what USC pharmacy school is like)....you can ask any question you want.

1. The interview is 20 minutes long. You are with a 4th year student and a faculty (or alumni/faculty?).
2. Based on your 300 word essay, your interviewers may ask anything in regards to what you wrote. This is a closed file....meaning, your interviewers know nothing about you except what you wrote in that essay. Other questions they asked me:

a) Why pharmacy?
b) What do you do currently in your pharmacy (if you work or volunteer in one)?
c) What are your plans and goals?

3. The last 5-10 minutes, you can ask your interviewers any question in regards to the program. The interview is mostly relaxed...you are just conversing with the interviewers. But for me, it was a bit grilled and stressful since I was in the last session and we were running behind in time.

Looking back on that day, I realized that my poor interviewers must have interviewed at least six people, non-stop....so I guess it is tiresome on a Saturday morning.

4. We were given about 15 minutes to summarize an article...something about acupuncture and how it was better than drug treatment for post-surgery to relieve symptoms (nausea, etc). You were given five minutes to take notes on 10 lines. You could not have more than 5 or 8 words per line, or you will lose points. I am sure you'll get something different in your session.

Overall, the interview/campus visit took about 1.5 hrs....you don't need anything except your ID. You won't get anything like a packet about the program or presentations. The highlight of the interivew was the brief orientation given by Jim Granderson who tried to destress us.

I hope this helps and hope you are accepted!

 

[kathiie]

Thanks for the info!

I was also wondering if they give some sort of a tour? Any walking involved?

 

[dreaminpharmd]

Thanks for the info!

I was also wondering if they give some sort of a tour? Any walking involved?

Hey Kathiie,

No. There wasn't a tour. I suppose if you attend an information session, you may get a tour. I suppose you could walk around the campus, but if I recall, there was probably at least four buildings within the vicinity: pharmaceutical sciences, some other science building, library, and maybe the Keck school of medicine (I don't know how many buildings they have...) Oh...there are some dorms and the school bookstore. My boyfriend and I briefly walked around...