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Pharmacy School Interviews 2026-27: Formats, Dates, Questions

How pharmacy school interviews work this cycle, program by program, with the PharmCAS dates for 2027 entry.

Each PharmD program runs its own interview. Some use an MMI of short timed stations (UT Austin, Kentucky, UIC, Texas A&M), others one or two individual interviews with faculty (Ohio State, Washington, Pittsburgh), and several add a short writing task. Interviews for 2027 entry began in late August 2026 and run into spring 2027, online or on campus. The October 1 and early November priority deadlines (Ohio State on November 1, and Iowa, Wisconsin and USC on November 2, 2026) have passed, and final deadlines run into spring 2027.

Start your free weekHow pharmacy school practice works

Dates for 2027 entry

  1. July 9, 2026

    The 2026-27 PharmCAS application opened for fall 2027 entry.

  2. August 28, 2026 onward

    Interview season began. Florida held its first interview day on August 28. Pittsburgh interviews from September through March, Wisconsin from September to April, and Ohio State from September through March.

  3. September 14 to October 1, 2026

    The earliest priority deadlines, now passed. Florida's early priority deadline was September 14. UT Austin, Kentucky, Washington and Minnesota used October 1, the first PharmCAS priority date, which was also UC San Diego's first deadline.

  4. November 1 to 2, 2026

    More priority deadlines, now passed: Ohio State on November 1, and Iowa, Wisconsin and USC on November 2. Wisconsin guarantees an interview to priority applicants with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.

  5. January 4, 2027

    UC San Diego's second application deadline and UIC's priority deadline.

  6. February 1 to March 1, 2027

    Common final deadlines: Florida February 1, UT Austin February 2, and Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Minnesota and UIC March 1.

  7. April 1 to June 1, 2027

    Late deadlines for programs with seats left: USC April 1, Kentucky and Washington May 1. June 1, 2027 is the last PharmCAS deadline option a program can choose.

  8. June 30, 2027

    The PharmCAS cycle closes at 11:59 PM Hawaii Time. It is the last day to create an account or submit an application.

School-by-school guides

Each guide covers the school's interview format, how it picks who to interview, how the interview counts toward offers, and practice questions, with links to the school's own pages.

United States

Interview topics

Acceptance rates, applicant counts and entering-class GPAs by school: Pharmacy school acceptance rates by school.

MMI, one-on-one or panel: formats by program

PharmCAS says the interview format varies by program. You may speak with a single faculty member, a student, a pharmacist or a panel, or join an orientation program. Read every invitation for the format.

Multiple mini interviews (MMI)

An MMI is a circuit of short, timed stations. Each one gives you a scenario or a question.

  • UT Austin: 6 virtual MMI stations of 7 minutes each, inside a 2.5-hour session on a Sunday, after a one-hour interview session the Thursday before.
  • Kentucky: Timed MMI stations run by faculty, alumni, practitioners, residents, fourth-year student pharmacists or staff, each trained to assess applicants.
  • UIC: Interviews in the MMI format, plus a writing assessment and information sessions with student and faculty panels.
  • Texas A&M: An MMI, on the Kingsville campus or on Zoom.

One-on-one and small panel interviews

Many programs still use one or two individual interviews, often with two interviewers in the room.

  • Washington: Two one-on-one interviews of about 25 minutes each with members of the admissions team.
  • Ohio State: A 40-minute individual interview, a talk about the program and a Q&A with current students.
  • Pittsburgh: A 30-minute individual interview with two faculty members.
  • Iowa: A 30-minute closed-file interview with 2 interviewers, so they have not read your file.
  • UC San Diego: A 30-minute, 2-on-1 blind interview with faculty, alumni, students or other members of the school.
  • USC: A 20-minute traditional interview with a faculty member or alumnus and a current PharmD student, plus a scenario-based assessment.

Writing samples

Several programs add a short written task on interview day.

  • Pittsburgh: Everyone invited to interview completes a Pitt Pharmacy writing assessment.
  • Iowa: A written prompt on interview day.
  • Binghamton: A proctored 10-minute writing sample, sent as a Google Form with the prompt at the time of your interview, after two 20-minute interviews.
  • UIC: A writing assessment alongside the MMI.

In a timed writing task, spend the first minute planning. Take a clear position, give two reasons and a short example, and leave time to reread for spelling.

Interview day, online or in person

Many pharmacy schools now offer both. Some let you choose, and some fix the format by date.

  • Online only: Pittsburgh interviews on Zoom, on select Saturdays and some weekdays. UT Austin's 2026 interviews are virtual, Oregon State interviews on Zoom, and UIC interviews virtually for now.
  • Both: Ohio State lets you pick, but in-person days run only from September to December. Iowa, Washington and Texas A&M also interview both online and in person.
  • Set days for each: Florida, Wisconsin, Kentucky, USC and UC San Diego publish separate in-person and virtual dates. UC San Diego has two of each for this cycle.
  • In person: Utah asks applicants to travel for an in-person interview.
  • Length: USC's in-person day runs from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., and its virtual sessions about two hours.

Dress the part. PharmCAS recommends professional attire and discourages jeans, t-shirts and tennis shoes. Iowa encourages business casual but does not require it.

If you cannot make it, contact the admissions office right away. PharmCAS asks applicants to follow its Interview No-Show Policy.

How pharmacy schools pick who to interview

Programs read your verified PharmCAS application before they invite you. Most describe a holistic review of grades, essays, letters and experience.

No PCAT, so grades and essays carry more weight

The PCAT was retired on January 10, 2024, and AACP says no test dates will be offered from 2024-25 on. You can still self-report an old score in PharmCAS.

  • No test needed: Kentucky does not require or accept the PCAT. UC San Diego, USC, Oregon State, Utah and Pittsburgh do not require it either.
  • GPA floors: Ohio State requires a 2.7 cumulative GPA, UIC 2.50 and UC San Diego 3.0 overall with 2.8 in science. Washington says applicants below 2.8 are generally not competitive, and Iowa sets no minimum.
  • A guaranteed interview: Wisconsin guarantees an interview to applicants with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher who applied by its November 2 priority deadline.

Essays, letters and experience

  • Personal essay: PharmCAS asks why you chose pharmacy and how the PharmD fits your short- and long-term goals, in up to 4,500 characters. Do not tailor it to a particular school.
  • Letters: PharmCAS accepts up to 4 evaluations, and the number and type required vary by program. Some want a letter from a pharmacist, a professor or an advisor.
  • What else counts: Oregon State picks interviewees on prerequisite science GPA, letters, the personal statement and its supplemental essay. Utah weighs community service, leadership and pharmacy or healthcare experience.
  • How many get in: USC says it received about 500 applications, interviewed about 300 students and enrolled about 170 a year, on average over the past three years.

Rolling admissions

PharmCAS says some programs use rolling admissions and give special consideration to early applicants. Washington, Kentucky, Ohio State, Wisconsin, UIC, Utah and Oregon State all review on a rolling basis. UC San Diego does not.

Apply two weeks early. PharmCAS asks applicants to submit at least two weeks before a school's deadline, and every PharmCAS deadline ends at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Time.

What pharmacy school interviewers score

PharmCAS says to be ready to discuss why you chose pharmacy and how you see the pharmacist's role. You may be rated on oral skills, how you present yourself and interact in a group, and your knowledge of the profession.

  • UT Austin: Its MMI looks at compassion, communication, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, integrity, leadership, motivation to become a pharmacist, problem solving, respect and teamwork. It is not designed to test pharmacy or drug knowledge.
  • USC: The scenario-based assessment covers communication, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, leadership and interpersonal skills, and needs no prior pharmacy knowledge.
  • UC San Diego: Questions on motivation for pharmacy, leadership, work-life balance and soft skills.
  • Oregon State: Communication, leadership, integrity, intellectual curiosity and motivation.
  • Binghamton: Why Binghamton and why pharmacy, healthcare or pharmacy work experience, ethical decision making, and resilience or conflict management.
  • Utah and Washington: Utah's interview assesses communication, maturity and career goals. Washington asks you to know the values of its Husky Pharmacist before you come.

Know the pharmacist's role. Be ready to explain what a pharmacist adds beyond dispensing, such as counseling patients, checking for interactions and working with prescribers, in your own words.

When you hear back

Rolling programs decide soon after each interview day.

  • 1 to 2 weeks: Washington and Utah.
  • Within 2 weeks: Pittsburgh, by email through PharmCAS.
  • 2 to 3 weeks: Iowa and Wisconsin.
  • A couple of weeks: Florida's early priority applicants.

How to prepare for a pharmacy school interview

Start with your own PharmCAS essay and experiences, then practice the format each program uses, out loud and timed.

  • Know why pharmacy. Have a specific answer to why pharmacy and not medicine or nursing, tied to something you saw in a pharmacy or clinic.
  • Turn experience into stories. For each job or volunteer role, have one short story about a patient, a mistake or a hard day, and what it taught you.
  • Practice ethics and counseling scenarios. Work through a prescription you think is wrong, a patient who cannot afford a drug, and a coworker who cuts corners.
  • Practice the writing task. If a program has one, write a timed response to a practice prompt. Several programs score writing on interview day.
  • Read each program's mission. Know who the program serves, where its students train and why that fits you.
  • Use the free official guides. AACP's Pharmacy Is Right for Me site suggests working through common interview questions, and PharmCAS has do's and don'ts for virtual interviews.

Example question: Why do you want to be a pharmacist and not a physician or a nurse?

Example question: A physician is irritated when you call to question a prescription. How do you handle the call?

  • Best interview prep: Pharmacy school interview prep compared: free PharmCAS and AACP resources, BeMo coaching, AI tools (Bossed, Confetto, Intervly, Big Interview) and prices.

Practice questions

The questions pharmacy school interviews ask, by type: Pharmacy school interview questions.

Frequently asked questions

What is a pharmacy school interview like?

It depends on the program. UT Austin runs 6 virtual MMI stations of 7 minutes each, Washington two one-on-one interviews of about 25 minutes, and Pittsburgh a 30-minute interview with two faculty members plus a writing assessment.

Do pharmacy schools use the MMI?

Some do, including UT Austin, Kentucky, UIC and Texas A&M. Others, such as Ohio State, Washington and UC San Diego, use individual interviews instead.

Is the PCAT still required for pharmacy school?

No. The PCAT was retired on January 10, 2024, and no new test dates are offered. You can self-report an earlier score in PharmCAS.

Are pharmacy school interviews virtual?

Many are. Pittsburgh and Oregon State interview on Zoom and UT Austin's 2026 interviews are virtual. Ohio State, Florida, Wisconsin, Kentucky, USC and UC San Diego offer both in-person and virtual days.

When is the PharmCAS deadline for 2027 entry?

Each program sets its own. PharmCAS priority and deadline options run from October 1, 2026 to June 1, 2027, and the cycle closes on June 30, 2027. Priority deadlines are non-binding.

How much does PharmCAS cost?

$180 for one program, $240 for two and $300 for three, then more for each added program. Some programs also charge their own supplemental fee.

More pharmacy guides

Applying to more pharmacy schools? These pages cover other schools’ interviews and numbers:

Sources

Official pages only, read on the date shown. Schools change their process every year, so check the school's own page before you apply.

  1. PharmCAS Applicant Help Center: PharmCAS Application Cycle Dates · read October 26, 2026
  2. PharmCAS: Deadlines · read October 26, 2026
  3. PharmCAS: Pre-Pharmacy Prep · read October 24, 2026
  4. PharmCAS Applicant Help Center: Personal Essay · read October 24, 2026
  5. PharmCAS: Evaluations · read October 24, 2026
  6. PharmCAS: Fees and Fee Waivers · read October 24, 2026
  7. PharmCAS: Standardized Tests · read October 24, 2026
  8. AACP: Pharmacy College Admission Test · read October 24, 2026
  9. AACP Pharmacy Is Right for Me: Admissions · read October 24, 2026
  10. UT Austin College of Pharmacy: PharmD Interview · read October 24, 2026
  11. UT Austin College of Pharmacy: Apply to the PharmD · read October 26, 2026
  12. University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy: Interviews · read October 24, 2026
  13. University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy: PharmD How to Apply · read October 26, 2026
  14. UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy: Application and Admission · read October 26, 2026
  15. Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy: PharmD FAQ · read October 24, 2026
  16. University of Washington School of Pharmacy: Interview Process · read October 24, 2026
  17. University of Washington School of Pharmacy: Application Procedures · read October 26, 2026
  18. University of Washington School of Pharmacy: Application Criteria · read October 24, 2026
  19. Ohio State College of Pharmacy: PharmD Admissions · read October 26, 2026
  20. University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy: PharmD Application Process · read October 24, 2026
  21. University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy: Open Pool Applicant · read October 24, 2026
  22. University of Iowa Academic Advising Center: Pharmacy Interest Guide 2026-2027 · read October 24, 2026
  23. University of Iowa College of Pharmacy: PharmD FAQs · read October 26, 2026
  24. UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy: Application Requirements · read October 26, 2026
  25. UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy: Admissions FAQs · read October 24, 2026
  26. USC Mann School of Pharmacy: PharmD Admissions · read October 24, 2026
  27. USC Mann School of Pharmacy: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) · read October 26, 2026
  28. USC Mann School of Pharmacy: PharmD Frequently Asked Questions · read October 24, 2026
  29. Binghamton University School of Pharmacy: Interview Practice · read October 24, 2026
  30. University of Utah College of Pharmacy: Application Process · read October 24, 2026
  31. Oregon State University College of Pharmacy: PharmD FAQ · read October 24, 2026
  32. UW-Madison School of Pharmacy: PharmD Application Timeline · read October 26, 2026
  33. University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy: How to Apply · read October 26, 2026
  34. University of Florida College of Pharmacy: Interview Dates · read October 26, 2026
  35. University of Florida College of Pharmacy: Steps to Apply · read October 26, 2026
  36. University of Florida College of Pharmacy: Early Priority Applicants · read October 26, 2026