Elk Grove, CA
Pharmacy Schools | Private For-Profit
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Going on an interview at CNCP? Add your feedback to help others!
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.1
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 155 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school as average compared to other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (85%)
Negatively (7%)
No change (7%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (25%)
Good (50%)
Average (18%)
Poor (7%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly shared feedback about being themselves during interviews, avoiding scripted responses, and feeling positive about the school's potential and atmosphere. Suggestions included being genuine, preparing for articulation, and noting the importance of financial aid and interview timing.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Just be yourself, students interview was nice and very helpful. Ask many questions!!!
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I felt that my responses were too scripted. Be wary of memorizing your answers and spewing them out verbatim. It happens more easily that you think when you're nervous.
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TBL rocks!
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They have some research facilities down the street, but we weren't able to see them. They provide you with Mexican food for lunch. They have plenty of beverages and snacks for you throughout the day. The people there that day were very nice and welcoming. The TBL wasn't used as a tool to determine if you will be accepted. Its just there to give you a taste of how the classes will be like. I barely read the article they emailed us and did fine in the TBL. Some people wrote up lots of notes and printed out additional information from the web about their article. There's no need to because you're not allowed to use any of it for most of the TBL exercise. The writing prompt for my interview was: "If a doctor asked you substitute a placebo for a painkiller because the doctor felt the patient was addicted to it and lying about their pain, would you?"
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My interview group was the first following the TBL, and they didn't give us the whole 30 min. Would have been nice to have the time to receive and give a few more questions.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
31 Minutes Average
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Number:
2 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
92% Open-File
8% Closed-File
CNCP-COMP interviews are an average of 31 minutes, with an average of 2 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, and 8% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about how students would group a set number of individuals, personal weaknesses and methods for improvement, interests outside of school or work, willingness to take new medications, knowledge of healthcare topics like CNCP, views on professionalism and Universal Health Care, reasons for pursuing pharmacy, experiences with team-based learning and leadership, and specific motivations for choosing a particular school. Some respondents mentioned a nondisclosure agreement due to an MMI format.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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If I was to open a pharmacy school and had 100 students, how would I group them into 20 groups? For example: geographic....
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What is your weakness and what do you do to succeed in improving your weakness
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What interests do you have outside of school or work?
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If a doctor prescribed for you a new medication that just got on the market, would you takeit?
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What do you know about CNCP?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting questions asked at California Northstate College of Pharmacy discussed a wide range of topics, from ethical dilemmas like filling prescriptions to personal values and leadership scenarios. The interviews may have been in an MMI format, as multiple respondents mentioned scenarios involving cheating, dividing groups, and addressing issues in healthcare, possibly under a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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If I can be a leader, who will I choose to be my fellowers. Giving 3 cards to choose from and why.
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If there was a lady who came in with her husband, and both had a certain disease but only prescription for the wife, would you fill twice the prescription for them (if they asked)?
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Why pharmacy when you have already graduated and have esatblished a secure job.
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What is your ideal job?
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If you had 15 minutes of national TV time, what would you show?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by utilizing Student Doctor Network (SDN) resources, practicing mock interviews, reviewing interview questions online, and researching the school's website. Many also focused on practicing answers to potential questions and familiarizing themselves with the program and interview process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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SDN
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Practice answering SDN questions
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Looking questions up online and mock interviewing
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Checking out interview feedback on SDN and talking with others that have interviewed before me.
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Interview feedback on student doctor, typing up outlines of answers, reviewing application materials, studying up about the school.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at California Northstate College of Pharmacy discussed situational ethics, confrontations with wrongdoing, applying leadership skills, overcoming obstacles, and team-based learning interactions. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview), possibly subject to a nondisclosure agreement based on responses, with questions focusing on personal experiences and ethical dilemmas.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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None
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How would you apply your leadership skills to a classroom environment at CNCP?
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None, all the questions were pretty straight forward and easy to answer because they all pertained to me and how I'd go about doing things etc.
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Tell me about an obstacle you've overcome.
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In your school or work experience, did you ever have to confront someone doing something wrong and what did you do?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendly and welcoming faculty and students, as well as the team-based learning activities during the interview process. They enjoyed the informative question and answer sessions with current students and appreciated the positive attitude and enthusiasm demonstrated by the school community.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Food for lunch
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Great catering food, interviewers friendly
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The fact that they might not be a standalone pharmacy school in the future.
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The welcoming personality I got from the faculty especially from my interviewer.
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The team based learning activity. Also, the question and answer activity with current students.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were commonly unimpressed by the length of the interview day, lack of accreditation, high interest rates on loans, inadequate facilities, and lack of campus amenities. Suggestions included improving the interview process, obtaining accreditation, providing more affordable financing options, enhancing facilities, and adding campus amenities.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Very long day at the interview
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None
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The student interview felt like a "good cop" and "bad cop" interrogation type of setting. One was very nice and smiled, the other didn't crack a smile and didn't really have a reaction to my answers.
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School is not yet fully accredited.
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The program is still new and some of the rooms are still empty. The facilities aren't the greatest and its pretty much an office building. Since they weren't accredited by WASC, we would have to take out private loans for our first year there. None of their students are currently involved with any research with the faculty.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the varying interview formats and questions, the length of the interview day, the lack of provided food, and the importance of bringing snacks. Many also mentioned the surprise elements in the interview process, such as the Taboo game and individual team-based learning tests, and emphasized the need to be prepared for a long day and practice oral communication skills.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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There is a Taboo game at the end of the interview. Giving shape or letter to describe them for other blind fold person to answers.
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You don't need to take the TBL so seriously. It was fun experience.
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That the timed writing portion does not have to be in essay format. Just answer the question thoroughly.
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How heavy the fog at the airport would be.
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My interviewers never asked me why pharmacy, tell me about yourself, and why CNCP. They jumped right into my file and to situational/critical thinking questions.
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest streamlining the interview process, ensuring consistency in questions asked, and providing faster admissions decisions post-interview. Additionally, there is a strong preference for phone communication over email for quicker responses.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Shorten the Interview process? maybe the 1 hour asking financial and students questions....
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Before interview, interviewer inform me that they will stress me with the questions . Most of the questions center around how to "chose a basketball team & why you hate the other team so much?" has nothing to do with pharmacy. My friends did interview at the same time did not received the same questions, so it seem the school is not consistence with the questions so it up to the interview. ALso, the interviewer also asked me if I have stress in my family? -it none of your business & does not relate to pharmacy. SO as you can see I did not have nice day.
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Do a tour during the interview day.
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To speed up the admissions process after the interview. They told us it'll take 6-8 weeks until they decide if we're accepted. Also the interview day is a bit long taking 6 hours to complete.
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Please answer the fon instead of email communication
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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Sacramento
36% interviewees used Sacramento (Sacramento), with 18% using Sacramento Airport (Sacramento Airport) and 9% using None (None) and 9% using Sacramento Int'l (Sacramento Int'l) and 9% using Sacramento International Airport (Sacramento International Airport) and 9% using San Francisco International Airport (Sacramento flights were canceled.. long story) (San Francisco International Airport (Sacramento flights were canceled.. long story)) and 9% using - SACRAMENTO (SAF).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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40% Airplane
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60% Automobile
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0% Train or Subway
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0% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Hyatt (average ranking 9.7/10), with some staying at Extended Stay America (average rating 7.5/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Hyatt
9.7/10
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Extended Stay America
7.5/10
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vagabond inn
5.5/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Faculty member (5%)
Student (95%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (86%)
Neutral (14%)
All Responses
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