Your Interview
Preparing For Your Interview
Congratulations on advancing to the next step in the admissions process!
By now, you should have received an electronic confirmation with your interview date and time. If you have any questions or need to reschedule your appointment, please contact Associate Director of Admission, Mrs. Marisela Avila, who will be happy to assist you.
We encourage you to carefully review the information below to learn more about what to expect on interview day, how to prepare, and additional recourses available to support you throughout the process. Contact your Admissions Counselor if you have any questions.
We look forward to meeting you and learning more about your experiences, interests, and goals.
Office of Admissions
Western University of Health Sciences
About The Interview & Interviewers
To help ease the stress of the interview, we want to give you a brief overview and specifically share with you the structure and composition of the interview team. While on campus you will hear from faculty and administration about the curriculum, admissions process, and student services as well as chat with students over lunch and take a tour of the campus.
You can expect to be interviewed by faculty, administrators and/or a student. The interview will serve as an opportunity for you to demonstrate qualities that could not be fully assessed by your application alone. The interviewers wish to learn more about you and to determine your compatibility with our program.
During the 25-30 minute interview your interviewers will ask a series of general and behavioral-based questions (which require you to draw from personal experience to formulate your answers).
Writing Sample
As part of the interview process, you will have 40 minutes to complete an essay on a general topic selected by the College of Pharmacy Admissions Committee. This exercise is designed to assess your writing skills.
Interview Location
Health Professions Center
Address: 521 E 3rd St, Pomona, CA 91766
When you arrive at the Health Professions Center, please check in at the main entrance located along the University Esplanade, and facing north towards the mountains. Please do not wait at the back entrance on 3rd Street. We encourage you to arrive to campus 15 minutes before your scheduled check-in time so that you have ample time to park and walk to the Health Professions Center.
Check -In
A valid photo ID is required when checking in for your interview (please see ID Verification Policy below).
On-Campus Interview Schedule
| Time | Activity |
| 7:30-7:45 AM | PharmD Applicant Check In and enjoy breakfast! |
| 7:45-8:30 AM | PharmD Program Orientation |
| 8:30-8:40 AM | Admissions Office Orientation |
| 8:40- 9:20 AM | Writing Sample |
| 9:30- 10:30AM | Interviews |
| 10:30-11:30AM | Campus Tour with Student Ambassadors |
| 11:30AM -12:00PM | Lunch with Student Ambassadors |
| 12:00PM | Event Concludes |
Identity Verification Policy
Proper identification of individuals allows WesternU to provide a safe and secure campus environment. In addition, the United States Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Public Law 110-315, requires that University confirm that a person enrolling in the University is the person who is completing the enrollment form, and that the student taking an examination is the student who participates in, completes, and receives credit for the course.
It is the policy of Western University of Health Sciences that applicants to the University are required to provide a government issued ID when checking in for an Admissions interview. Applicants who are unable to provide an acceptable form of identification may reschedule their interview if space is available. For more information on acceptable forms of identification, read the University’s Identity Verification policy.
Preparing For Your Interview Day
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare for your interview:
- Make sure your best business professional attire is ready to wear
- Have a few questions ready for the interviewers in case they ask
- Review the Admissions Pages
- Review the College of Pharmacy Catalog
- Curriculum Overview on page 56
- Print directions and plan to arrive early
- Bring a fully charged laptop to complete writing sample
- Bring a pen, pencil and notebook to take notes.
- Get a good nights’ sleep so your body and mind are refreshed
Parking Instructions
Interview Day Directions & Arrival
- How to get to WesternU California Campus
- Plan to arrive early to allow time for parking and check-in
- Saturday Parking: Free parking will be available on Saturdays only. You may park in lots 24 and 17 however, lot 24 is the closest and most convenient. You are free to park in any space, except “Reserved” marked spaces. No permit or passes are required.
- Weekday Parking: will be available in Lot 12, a paid City of Pomona parking lot located at Gibbs Street and First Street. You can view the location of Lot 12 on the WesternU Campus Map. Parking is free for the first two hours. After two hours, a flat rate of $2.00 applies. City parking meters accept both coins and credit/debit cards. After parking, please check in and complete payment, if applicable, at any of the parking payment machines. you do not need to display the receipt in your vehicle.
Airports & Hotels
When scheduling flights, we recommend flying in and out of Ontario International Airport (ONT), which is approximately 10 miles east of our campus. Additional options include Santa Ana/ John Wayne Airport (SNA), which is approximately 30 miles south of our campus or Los Angeles Airport (LAX) which is approximately 40 miles west of campus. If you’re an out of town guest, you may also wish to reference some conveniently located hotels.
Useful Resources
Financial Aid
Our Financial Aid team is also available to assist you, please feel free to reach out at:
(909) 469-5353