I had a very frustrating experience with the admissions office at SLU. I'm not sure if it's the admissions office or if it's the MHA department. In any case, here's what went down...
I applied for schools pretty late, and my application went out in the Mid-March mailing (I think like 16th or something) and two days later I got an email from the admissions office for an interview. I was told interviews would start in April, so I sent them all my available dates and waited for an answer.
About a week into April I contacted the admissions office to find out the status of my admissions interview and was told that someone from the Department would be contacting me shortly. I went back and forth via email with the admissions director with the Department Head copied on all the emails and I there was still no word on why I had not been reached for an interview. This persisted for about two weeks. Until I finally called the department head and left her a message.
About a week and a half ago, I get a phone call from the Department head saying that my application had gotten lost in the mix, and however I had been scheduled for an IN PERSON interview in two days (mind you I live in Chicago and work full time). However, the professor that was supposed to interview me had never heard of me or did not have my application. I told her there was no way I could make it, but was willing to do it over the phone if it was a possibility. She said she would get it sorted out and call me back.
In any case, 2-3 days later I get a call in the afternoon while I'm at work from a professor at SLU asking if he can interview me that afternoon. I agree because at this point I just want to get it over with. I contact the admissions office to let them know I have had my interview and thank them for their help and wait for a response etc. The following week I get a call from the admissions office apologizing for the mix up and that I would have an interview scheduled as soon as possible. I had to tell the admissions office I had already had an interview with a professor. It turns out, they interviewed me without having my application on hand. Two days later I get another call from the admissions office again asking if I had my interview and if so who was it with.
In any case, after all of that I did receive an acceptance package from them. It was definitely one of the most frustrating experiences I've had with an admissions office.
Those of you that are waiting to hear back from SLU, I'd try contacting Department heads directly via phone. It might be the quickest way to get an answer.
Insight into the actual interview- really just be yourself. They asked me a about my perspectives on public health, why I picked the school, and a lot about my work experience. Try and make it more of a conversation instead of a question and answer session.
I hope this helps!
