Why Pharmacy? How to Answer the Number 1 Question

All pharmacy interviews will all be different. However, the number one question that ALL pharmacy schools will ask is “Why Pharmacy?” So before you go into that exciting, nervous interview day, really think how you want to answer this. I really love this question, because to me it is away for the interviewees to see a side of me that is passionate and at a more personal level.

ADD DETAILS. Stating broad statements such as “I love science” can be very general and does not let the interviewees get to know you. The whole point of the interview is to see if you could potentially be a good fit for their school and vice versa. Bring up details of how you found the love of science; that you majored in science and you find it interesting how the body works and how a simple pill could help make you stop feeling sick or stop pain for headaches.LIFE EXPERIENCES. Adding in life experiences that has lead you to chose pharmacy; like volunteer work, shadowing a pharmacist and you found it really rewarding interacting with the patients or how pharmacist watch over patients medications to make sure there are no bad interactions, or traumatizing family/friend experiences that has shaped you to be so passionate about medicine as a whole, example of a parent had a heart attack or a friend got cancer.BE YOURSELF. I always think telling your story is the best way to portray who you are and how you tell it portrays to the interviewee your authenticity. However, Never make up stories just to make yourself look better for this career. People are smart and can tell when you are not being genuine.

I found my love of pharmacy my sophomore year of college when my dad had a major heart attack and almost passed away. That experience has tremendously shaped me to be driven to medicine as a whole. No matter what health field you go to all of these patients are people with family, friends, and a whole life outside of the hospital or community pharmacy. Pharmacy is a wonderful career path and I’ve been told its very rewarding. I hope these few tips have given you a spark of inspiration on what you want to say. Till next time.

xoxo – Finding Pharmacy