Interview Preparation

L in Cincinnati, Ohio said: Has anyone had an interview at Emory, if so, how was your experience?

Hello L in Cincinnati. I interviewed at Emory on January 9th. The experience was very positive. It is not a "hot seat" interview. They just want to get to know you. You definitely want to be prepared and know a bit about the profession, Emory, etc. But it is not nearly as intense as some of the other interviews I have had. There will be a group interview with you and 2 other students with 4 interviewers. I hope this helps.

pelikano in Santa Monica, California said: Hi Gabriella,

The best way is to narrow down your schools of choice first and then look at their individual websites for specific pre-req's. Different schools want different classes and many have cut-off for past course work - meaning if the pre-req is more than 3.5.7.10 years old they won't accept it. Also, each of the schools want some type of clinical work, so start volunteering now! Sometimes schools want over 2,000 of health care experience so the sooner you start the better.

Gabriella,
You may also consider taking courses at 4 year institutions. Some schools require that.

yes...unfortunately, i have not heard anything yet :(

Hi, has anybody interviewed at Barry in FL yet? If so, any advice you can give on they types of questions they asked or how the day of the interview went? Thanks!

chucktownyo in Charleston, South Carolina said: Hey everyone! I have an interview with Barry next week and would love to have any advice or what to expect!

How was the interview at Barry?! Did you get in? I have one coming up and I wanted to know what types of questions they asked and how it went??!

Susielou815 in Scottsdale, Arizona said: Has anyone interviewed at Barry?

Any advise on the interview questions/what do they ask?

What is the day like?

How many students are in each group interview?

How did your interview at Barry go? Did you get in?! Any advice you can give on their interview process? Thanks!

Amanda in Albany, Oregon said: Has anyone interviewed at UTPA (Edinburg, Texas). I have an interview there on thursday and I have no idea what to expect. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

Hey I have my interview coming up. How was it for you?? Could you give me some advice please. I would really appreciate it.

JENRU618 in Dallas, Texas said: Congrats!! What time did you receive your email? I am just trying to figure out if they sent them in one big batch? Thanks!

Hey Congrats...How was the interview there? I have mine coming up. Would you pls give me some suggestions??

The best reference on the PA School interview is a book by Rodican on amazon.com, "How to Ace the Physician Assistant School Interview" Lots of information including the toughest interview questions and answers, how to prepare, scoring criteria, etc.

J in Dallas, Texas said: Hello L in Cincinnati. I interviewed at Emory on January 9th. The experience was very positive. It is not a "hot seat" interview. They just want to get to know you. You definitely want to be prepared and know a bit about the profession, Emory, etc. But it is not nearly as intense as some of the other interviews I have had. There will be a group interview with you and 2 other students with 4 interviewers. I hope this helps.

Hello J in Dallas, thanks for your post. My interview is scheduled for 2/13 at Emory and as you can imagine, I'm excited and nervous at the same time. My question is, was there a writing sample? If so, what was it like? Thank you

Has anyone interviewed with Emory Uni? How was it?

Tee. Pa prospect in Atlanta, Georgia said: Hello J in Dallas, thanks for your post. My interview is scheduled for 2/13 at Emory and as you can imagine, I'm excited and nervous at the same time. My question is, was there a writing sample? If so, what was it like? Thank you

Tee. THere was a writing assignment. You choose one of three questions and write a about one to two paragraphs about it. They are about you and situations you have been in in the past, or leadership roles you have had to assume. You have one hour to complete it which is more than enough time. Good luck. As to the question below, the interview is fairly informal. There is one "scenario" with just you and it is taped and then a group interview with 3 applicants and 4 interviewers. Unfortunately the turn around time of finding out takes a while, I just found out last week that I was accepted but it was almost a whole month after my interview. I hope this helps.

Congratulations on your acceptance!!!! I pray I get in as well. Thanks for your reply, it has been really helpful. Did they mention how many people they plan to accept for this fall? And how long was the entire process of questions and answers?

Tee PA prospect said: Congratulations on your acceptance!!!! I pray I get in as well. Thanks for your reply, it has been really helpful. Did they mention how many people they plan to accept for this fall? And how long was the entire process of questions and answers?

Tee,
The whole thing took one full day. The scenario was 5 minutes exactly, they will stop you mid sentence. The interview was one hour. 4 interviewers take turns asking each candidate about 3-4 questions and they have your application right in front of them so it may very well be direct questions about something you said in your essay. It is not a "hot seat" interview. I think they are accepting 50-54 students. Good Luck!

Thank you so much. I'll let you know how it goes. Hope to see you in the fall :)

rickt1375 in Youngstown, Ohio said: I have similiar stats: GPA a little closer to 3.0 and my GRE around a 1200. Shadowing hours are around 100, HCE (home health care, OTA, RA) is a little under 500 hours. 50 hours volunteering in an ortho clinic at a local hospital. Currently taking STNA classes, was in my schools health careers club, CPR/AED/First Aid certified, Dean's list with all my prereq classes. Your stats sounded really good. I am sure you will get picked up somewhere. It's their loss if not. I have about 2.5 more weeks until my 60 day mark when I am supposed to get a definitive answer back. I kind of think if I got in I would have heard by now, but then again no news is good news, right? Maybe I have been waitlisted without being told? Regardless, sitting on pins and needles over here.

Did you hear back from Mount Union yet?

Hey folks! Today is a proud day for me! I received a phone call from Drexel PA school saying I am accepted!!!!!!! Yay!!! I am of course going to accept!

For those of you who have not yet heard back, don't lose hope because they said they are still interviewing people, and they have only accepted about 40 of the 75 students that will matriculate. (and they accept more people than will actually be matriculating).

Good luck everyone!

Hi AJ.
I interviewed on Feb 3 at Drexel and I feel it went well. I got the director and one faculty. Things want very well and hope to get in. I gave away other schools just to wait for Drexel.
Congrat to you. When was your interview?

Cleolin in Edison, New Jersey said: Hi AJ.
I interviewed on Feb 3 at Drexel and I feel it went well. I got the director and one faculty. Things want very well and hope to get in. I gave away other schools just to wait for Drexel.
Congrat to you. When was your interview?

Hi Cleolin,
Glad to hear your Drexel interview went well too! I also had the Director as one of my interviewers. The other was Kelly. I felt like my interview went extremely well too, and I also gave up other schools for Drexel thankfully! My interview was January 20th, and I found out another student from my interview day (that I had made friends with) was also accepted. Still, from what I understand, they've only accepted about half the class, so don't be worried about having a so called "late interview" date as others have mentioned. I wish you good luck, and let me know what the turnout is!

-A.J.-

AJ in Freehold, New Jersey said: Hi Cleolin,
Glad to hear your Drexel interview went well too! I also had the Director as one of my interviewers. The other was Kelly. I felt like my interview went extremely well too, and I also gave up other schools for Drexel thankfully! My interview was January 20th, and I found out another student from my interview day (that I had made friends with) was also accepted. Still, from what I understand, they've only accepted about half the class, so don't be worried about having a so called "late interview" date as others have mentioned. I wish you good luck, and let me know what the turnout is!

-A.J.-

Thank s AJ.
I will keep you posted. Thank for the encouragement. I'm ready to try again next year. I love the flexibility of the program. The family atmosphere and the fact that you have lot of time to study. (I have a family and need the part time PA program with maturity). I got the Director and Charles during my interview. I like the director a lot. He games me lot to hope during his presentation

Hi Everyone!

I noticed that most people on this site is American. Is there anyone out there that has any prespective on PAs in Canada? I was offered an interview at the masters program at U of M. It includes Multi-Mini Interviews (MMI) as well as a panel interview. I am very nervous and axious (It is all I can think about). Does someone out there have some knowledge on this program and MMIs for PAs? Currenlty I am refering to MMI questions offered for Med interviews.

Thanks :)

do they ask for permanent school records or transcripts when in the interview.

AJ in Staten Island, New York said: Hey folks! Today is a proud day for me! I received a phone call from Drexel PA school saying I am accepted!!!!!!! Yay!!! I am of course going to accept!

For those of you who have not yet heard back, don't lose hope because they said they are still interviewing people, and they have only accepted about 40 of the 75 students that will matriculate. (and they accept more people than will actually be matriculating).

Good luck everyone!

Hello AJ. Congratulations on your acceptance. I have an interview coming up on Feb. 24. I was wondering how long the interview process was for Drexel. I need to fly out the evening of my interview. Would it be possible to catch a flight at 630. Thank you for your info.

Cleolin in Edison, New Jersey said: Thank s AJ.
I will keep you posted. Thank for the encouragement. I'm ready to try again next year. I love the flexibility of the program. The family atmosphere and the fact that you have lot of time to study. (I have a family and need the part time PA program with maturity). I got the Director and Charles during my interview. I like the director a lot. He games me lot to hope during his presentation

Yes I think Dr. Auth is the man! Good luck again!

luvsnowboarding in Sioux Falls, South Dakota said: Hello AJ. Congratulations on your acceptance. I have an interview coming up on Feb. 24. I was wondering how long the interview process was for Drexel. I need to fly out the evening of my interview. Would it be possible to catch a flight at 630. Thank you for your info.

Hi and thanks for the congrats! The interview is an all-day affair..from 9am to about 4:30 or 5. Just to be safe, I would take a flight around 7 if possible, but if you tell them that you have a flight, they will accommodate you for sure. One or two people had to leave early during my interview day, and it was no problem.

Oh also, to everyone interviewing with Drexel, come armed with questions for the faculty and students! Drexel's big thing is making sure that THEY are a fit for you as much as YOU are a fit for them =)

Has anyone that interviewed at Chatham in January heard anything back?

Hi everyone.

I was just curious is anyone had any thoughts on USC and Samuel Merritt. I have been accepted to both and am trying to figure out where to go! I really loved USC and was so impressed at their interview; however, tuition is pretty daunting...

Does anyone have any insight?

Thanks!

T in Brookline, Massachusetts said: I was wondering the same thing too! I haven't heard from MCPHS yet.

I have an interview at Mass College this week! So hopefully you will hear soon if you haven't already.

Has anyone interviewed at Mass College before???

I have an interview at Touro Manhattan later this week! Was wondering if anyone could share some tips/advice about the program in general? I'm slightly nervous for them to ask me a question I haven't prepared for! Any advice would be great. Thanks!

Hey..you have an interview at Touro, Manhattan campus? We can share some information. You can reach me at vijal_patel14@yahoo.com

Thanks,
Vijal

lprslp in New Rochelle, New York said: I have an interview at Touro Manhattan later this week! Was wondering if anyone could share some tips/advice about the program in general? I'm slightly nervous for them to ask me a question I haven't prepared for! Any advice would be great. Thanks!

Can you contact me at vijal_patel14@yahoo.com?

Pablo in Layton, Utah said: So far I have an interview at Drexel Hahnemann in Philly and at the University of New England in Portland ME, I got a "No Thanks from the University of New Mexico (priority given to in-state residents) and I'm still waiting to hear from 2 other schools.
How about you? Wish me luck, the Drexel interview is in a couple of weeks.

Hello,
I have an interview with Drexel Hahnemann Hospital in just a few days. I am curious to see if you have any tips on how the interview went for you my nerves are starting to get the best of me. Thank you for your time!

A.J. in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico said: Hi and thanks for the congrats! The interview is an all-day affair..from 9am to about 4:30 or 5. Just to be safe, I would take a flight around 7 if possible, but if you tell them that you have a flight, they will accommodate you for sure. One or two people had to leave early during my interview day, and it was no problem.

Oh also, to everyone interviewing with Drexel, come armed with questions for the faculty and students! Drexel's big thing is making sure that THEY are a fit for you as much as YOU are a fit for them =)

Hello,
I have an interview with Drexel in just a few days and I am curious if anyone have any good tips for the interview. Thank you!!

elb81687 in Norristown, Pennsylvania said: Hello,
I have an interview with Drexel in just a few days and I am curious if anyone have any good tips for the interview. Thank you!!

Hey good luck on your interview! Firstly, set your mind at ease because the Drexel interview is VERY relaxed. The faculty and student interviewers really try and make you feel at home. There are no crazy out-in-left-field questions, so do not over prepare. Prep your answer for why you want to be a PA, why you want to go to Drexel instead of another school, and be prepared to defend any lousy grades because they might ask you about them.

I was very nervous coming into my interview as well because it was actually my first PA school interview, but quickly felt at ease. Everyone said that it was the best interview they had, so you're in good hands! Wear a suit. Be prepared for a 30 minute writing sample (don't worry it's not hard). Oh and think of questions that you want to ask the director Pat Auth as well as the student and faculty interviewers. Oh and sit towards the front when you have lunch! Both me and another student in the front 2 rows got in...maybe we were more memorable? haha.

No sweat...just keep your self calm...and they like to see that you are speaking from the heart. Be yourself, and you'll be fine!

Best of luck!

AJ in Staten Island, New York said: Hey good luck on your interview! Firstly, set your mind at ease because the Drexel interview is VERY relaxed. The faculty and student interviewers really try and make you feel at home. There are no crazy out-in-left-field questions, so do not over prepare. Prep your answer for why you want to be a PA, why you want to go to Drexel instead of another school, and be prepared to defend any lousy grades because they might ask you about them.

I was very nervous coming into my interview as well because it was actually my first PA school interview, but quickly felt at ease. Everyone said that it was the best interview they had, so you're in good hands! Wear a suit. Be prepared for a 30 minute writing sample (don't worry it's not hard). Oh and think of questions that you want to ask the director Pat Auth as well as the student and faculty interviewers. Oh and sit towards the front when you have lunch! Both me and another student in the front 2 rows got in...maybe we were more memorable? haha.

No sweat...just keep your self calm...and they like to see that you are speaking from the heart. Be yourself, and you'll be fine!

Best of luck!

Thank you so much for responding to my post! Everything that you said really helps because you never know what to expect with any PA interview where some institutions are really relaxed while others impose a lot of stress and competition. Were you really stressed from the 30 min writing sample because that is the only thing I am really concerned about. Thank you again so much for your time.

elb81687 in Norristown, Pennsylvania said: Thank you so much for responding to my post! Everything that you said really helps because you never know what to expect with any PA interview where some institutions are really relaxed while others impose a lot of stress and competition. Were you really stressed from the 30 min writing sample because that is the only thing I am really concerned about. Thank you again so much for your time.

Hey you're very welcome! I'm glad to help someone else that really wants "it" as much as I do. Is Drexel your top choice?

I knew going in that the writing sample would be simple ethics based questions, and writing is one of my strong points...so I really wasn't so stressed out about it. I will tell you that each question requires at least a paragraph to answer...and I would bring some scrap paper. I spent the first 5 minutes doing outlines for each of the three questions, and that really helped me because I didn't have to waste time thinking of ideas or worry about getting writer's block. Bring a watch to keep yourself on pace. The 30 minutes goes quick, but it is enough time if you use your time wisely. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have other questions!

PS. It would be worth while researching a brief bio of the major faculty at Drexel before your interview. You will definitely have 2 of them interviewing you, and it works in your favor to know a little something about them.

AJ in Staten Island, New York said: Hey you're very welcome! I'm glad to help someone else that really wants "it" as much as I do. Is Drexel your top choice?

I knew going in that the writing sample would be simple ethics based questions, and writing is one of my strong points...so I really wasn't so stressed out about it. I will tell you that each question requires at least a paragraph to answer...and I would bring some scrap paper. I spent the first 5 minutes doing outlines for each of the three questions, and that really helped me because I didn't have to waste time thinking of ideas or worry about getting writer's block. Bring a watch to keep yourself on pace. The 30 minutes goes quick, but it is enough time if you use your time wisely. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have other questions!

PS. It would be worth while researching a brief bio of the major faculty at Drexel before your interview. You will definitely have 2 of them interviewing you, and it works in your favor to know a little something about them.

Hello again!

I really appreciate all of your help it is so nice to hear from someone that went through the same thing as I. Drexel is definitely my top choice, everything just fits so perfectly with the curriculum and even the focus on primary care. I am beginning to feel much more at ease where I just have to continue being myself and show them that you are human as well not just grades.

I am just curious to see if they asked you any ridiculous questions such as explain the new health care reform in detail. My previous interviews were really intense and really rattled my nerves.

Thank you for the tip to research the faculty, I have been thinking of various questions to ask everyone so I don't seem as if I don't know anything or that I am uninterested in wanting to become a PA so badly. Thank you again for all of your help.
Have you looked into the PA Post-Processional Masters program....

I'm hesitant to tell you too much more because you might come across as "rehearsed" in the interview, but the writing sample asked 3 very straight forward questions. You should do a little research about the pros and cons of healthcare in your state specifically.

In the interview, they asked about study habits, what might you do if you saw another student cheating on a test etc. No real curve balls. As I said, it was my first interview, and all I did in advance was read all the posts here related to Drexel and interview questions, and it worked out for me. Make sure you know the difference between PA and NP's and why you picked PA over NP or doctor or DO etc. This interview was really casual and relaxed. Don't whip out any papers or resumes or transcripts etc until the end. Just speak honestly and coherently off the top of your head, and it will go fine.

Email me privately if you have more questions or just to keep in touch about Drexel. ajburdo@gmail.com

Hello

I have an interview for Sophie Davis School at City College in about a few days. I was wondering if anybody knows about the interview process there and if there is any writing involved. It would be greatly appreciated if anybody can give their insights. Thank you!

I am applying there next year so I don't know about the interview process but I am curious how the application process was? ie: what were your GPA's (science and overall) and how did they compare to the rest of the applicants? Did you have any specialties that they liked that got you the interview? Did you go to their pipeline orientation prior to applying?

Any insight would be helpful so my application is stronger. Thank you!

Amena in New York, New York said: Hello

I have an interview for Sophie Davis School at City College in about a few days. I was wondering if anybody knows about the interview process there and if there is any writing involved. It would be greatly appreciated if anybody can give their insights. Thank you!

I am applying there next year so I don't know about the interview process but I am curious how the application process was? ie: what were your GPA's (science and overall) and how did they compare to the rest of the applicants? Did you have any specialties that they liked that got you the interview? Did you go to their pipeline orientation prior to applying?

Any insight would be helpful so my application is stronger. Thank you!

I think the best preparation for a PA school interview is to purchase the book, "How to Ace the Physician Assistant School Interview" by Andrew Rodican, PA-C. You can get a copy on amazon.com

Good luck

No I have not attended their pipeline orientation before applying. To be honest, my overall GPA was not stellar by any means. I have a GPA of 3.49 but my science GPA was high. I'm currently a licensed medical technologist so I took a lot of science courses with lab that are comparable to the PA programs curriculum. Before graduating, I partook an internship with one my professors in clinical microbiology at Rockefeller University. I also have training in EKG and Phlebotomy in the lab that I currently work in.I have received great reference letters from the director, who holds a PhD, the lab manager and lead technologist from my work. I am guessing all of this culminated into an interview by the admissions committee.

I believe they look at your overall quality as a candidate and not just focus in the GPA. I advise you, if you don't have a clinical background, to shadow a PA or an MD who can vouch for your work ethics.