Interview question: "What can you offer the school?"

[transcend11]

With my interview coming up at the end of February I have begun to look at common interview questions. I've been doing well, until I got to the question "What can you offer the school?" I don't think I completely understand what they are really trying to ask here.

I think some obvious answers would be something like:

"Well, I am an avid volunteer in many organizations and I will most definitely lend plenty of my time to organizations on the campus in order to make it a better place for the students."

But, that's... not me. I haven't really participated in school clubs or volunteered much in these 3 pre-pharm years. I've been working as a pharmacy tech for 2 years, have a year-long hospital internship, and getting good grades (3.65 GPA).

The best I can think of so far is something along the lines of:

"I can offer you assurance that you made an excellent decision by choosing to accept me because I will be an excellent student, compassionate for understanding the world of pharmacy in order to perform my career with the greatest amount of preparation to become a great pharmacist to my patients. You can also be assured that no matter how great the challenge I will never give up and drop out early, so that your decision to accept me is not made worthless.

Am I on the right track here?

I know you can't answer this question for me, since you don't know me, but maybe some of you can enlighten me as to what types of answers I can begin to formulate.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[nerv12345]

that's pretty much what i would say....there's nothing else you could really "offer" the school, really, other than being a great student and possibly participating in clubs, volunteering, etc....but that's just my take.

cool username btw. haha.

 

[transcend11]

Hmm always curious to know what people think my username is..

you a Tool fan?

🙂

 

[nerv12345]

i just think "transcend" is an interesting word

and HELL YES i'm a tool fan!!!!!!! maynard has an amazing voice.

 

[transcend11]

You are one cool guy, nerv 😀 Always nice to meet a tool fan, as the band isn't very mainstream so their fans are true fans of their music and not some fad... (atleast that's my hope)

Anyways, if you've ever looked into the song Jimmy I like to think that my "11" came from that song.. that song is excellent, and has a lot of meaning.

And thank you for your advice about the interview question, glad to know I'm not misreading the question. Someone said in an interview feedback from just last year at the school I'm applying to this question was asked, so I definitely want an answer prepared.

 

[tashka]

I think, your answer is very good and genuine. As any other pharmacy school, mine has a lot of organizations and clubs. But during orientation we were encouraged to limit our participation and do not overdo it, because academic success in the program is the most important thing.
If you have something espesially inique in your background, you can talk about this also. It is very interesting to study in diverse group of people (different age, culture, life experience). You can say that you can offer some unique views and perspectives-and will be happy to experience what other classmates have to offer.
Do not worry about lack of volunteering-while important it comes ssecondary to solid GPA, PCAT, and work experience.
Good luck to you.

 

[ExpressMaiL]

That response is fine, but that's also a very generic response. IMO the response is contingent on the school, your interviewer(s), your resume, your gpa, your pcat score, etc. Everyone (almost) will be saying how "I'm a good choice because blah blah blah. I excel in blah blah blah. No matter what, blah blah blah." Then again, I'm a risk taker so maybe you shouldn't listen to me. I like to make a lasting impression (positive, of course).

 

[transcend11]

Thanks for your opinions

 

[johanelmander45]

Hi

You can find this info by using search box in the top of website with some keywords related before posting questions.

If you want to get more materials that related to this topic, you can visit: Free interview questions

Best regards.