What Professional School Interviews Really Look For: Expert Advice from Program Leaders

You’ve earned an interview for pharmacy, physical therapy or occupational therapy school—congratulations! This invitation marks a significant milestone, signaling that your educational achievements and experiences have opened the door to the next phase of evaluation. Now comes the opportunity to show who you are beyond your application materials.

To help you prepare effectively, we spoke with Creighton University’s School of Pharmacy and Health Professions leadership about what they’re looking for in candidates. Their insights might surprise you and go far beyond standard interview advice.

Professional School Interview Expectations

One consistent message emerges from conversations with program leaders: while strong academics got you to the interview, authentic engagement matters most in the room. “The biggest thing is always just to have the students be themselves,” shares Kevin Fuji, PharmD, MA, associate professor of Pharmacy. “We don’t want them to be somebody else or an image of what they think we want.”

Authenticity takes different forms across healthcare disciplines. Marion Russell, OTD, MOTR/L, SCFES, assistant professor of Occupational Therapy, emphasizes the power of personal narrative. “Everybody has life experience. Have a few stories prepared that make you, you. That you get excited about and don’t be scared of mistakes you’ve made in the past.” These experiences—both successes and challenges—help interviewers understand your path to healthcare and your potential as a future practitioner.

The interview also reveals how well you understand and connect with program values. Anastasia Kyvelidou, PhD, associate professor of Physical Therapy and director of Student Retention & Progression, looks for candidates who demonstrate genuine alignment. “We want to make sure that you can speak to our values, that you are passionate about what Creighton offers and that you’re really passionate about serving others.”

Fuji emphasizes this broader purpose: “We’re admitting students into our program, but we’re also admitting students into our profession. When we take somebody in, it’s our responsibility to help them grow.”

PT, OT and Pharmacy School Interview Formats 

Each program structures its interviews to evaluate different aspects of candidate readiness. Some utilize individual interviews to assess professional goals and personal fit, while others incorporate group sessions to observe teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Your interview invitation will specify the format and help you prepare effectively.

“We’re unique in the way that we do individual and group interviews. We want to engage with our applicants,” explains Kyvelidou about PT’s approach. Group interviews help assess how candidates work with others—a crucial skill in healthcare. “Our program requires a lot of group service assignments. We want the students to work well with each other because that is what is going to make them successful.” Pay attention to verbal and non-verbal communication. Kyvelidou suggests, “Work with others. Watch yourself in a group and how you perform. Sometimes even our bodies and body postures and interactions might be very telling.”

The pharmacy program takes a focused approach. “There’s usually two pharmacy faculty interviewing one student,” Fuji explains. This format allows for in-depth conversation about candidates’ understanding of the profession and their motivations.

For distance pathway candidates, the interview experience remains equally meaningful. “We do in-person, but also virtual interviews,” Russell notes. “Some fly in and have a personal interview. But in other interview cycles, people who apply for Phoenix will interview with a faculty member from Omaha because they’re going to see me. I’m going to teach them.”

Understanding Your “Why”

Program leaders emphasize that successful candidates can articulate more than just a general desire to help people. They want to understand your specific connection to the profession and what drives your interest. Whether through personal experience, professional exposure or thoughtful research, your path to choosing healthcare should reflect genuine understanding and commitment. Fuji encourages candidates to reflect on “why out of all the choices I could make, or even out of all the choices in the healthcare field, I think this profession is the right fit for me.”

Preparing for Your Healthcare Program Interview

Making the Most of Your Healthcare Shadowing 

While programs have minimum shadowing requirements, program leaders emphasize the quality of engagement over accumulating hours. “It’s important not just for us but for them to understand what they’re getting themselves into,” Kyvelidou explains.

Russell encourages diverse exposure: “Shadow in different areas–have a pediatric shadowing with children present, and then one in a hospital or geriatric–the other spectrum.” This breadth helps candidates understand their profession’s full scope. “We want them to be open to other experiences. Sometimes, you will find that, in the end, you love geriatrics, and that’s your passion.”

What to Know About Your Target Healthcare Program 

“It’s important for them to understand what Creighton as a whole university represents,” Kyvelidou emphasizes. “How do those Jesuit values translate to a program.”

“I’m always impressed when students come in; they’re like, ‘As of now, this is the area of pharmacy I think I want to practice in. And these are the reasons,’” shares Fuji. “It shows that they’ve thought about it and done a little bit of research.”

Russell encourages candidates to dig deeper: “Look at the faculty and their research. It gets you interested, right? It gets you excited. It’s like, ‘Oh, wow, that’s unique.’ It’s an interesting field that will come across in the interview because you’ll be excited about all the things you found out.”

This preparation includes learning about your interviewers. “Make sure you search for that individual and what they’re teaching,” Kyvelidou advises. “When they ask questions in the end, they can ask about me or my research, and they will know that I come from Greece and I am interested in motor skills in autism spectrum disorders. Maybe they can ask about my background–it breaks the ice a little bit.”

Professional School Interview Day: Making Your Best Impression 

Your interview invitation signals you’ve already demonstrated strong potential. This is your chance to share what makes you unique.

• Your authentic journey to healthcare
• Meaningful experiences that shaped your path
• How you’ll contribute to your chosen profession

“I don’t even like the word interview,” shares Russell. “It’s more like a conversation.” This perspective helps frame your preparation: you’re not just presenting qualifications but engaging in meaningful dialogue about your future in healthcare.

As you prepare, Kyvelidou offers this valuable perspective: “Don’t just look at ‘Was I successful in the interview?’ but ‘Are we (Creighton) a good fit for you as well?’” This two-way evaluation ensures you make an informed choice for your future that aligns with your goals and values.

You’ve already demonstrated the academic ability and potential to succeed. Now is your chance to share your passion for your chosen profession and your readiness to embrace the challenges ahead. Stay genuine, prepare thoroughly and trust the journey that brought you to this point.

In the end, it’s about finding a place where you’ll thrive and make an impact.

Additional Resources: 
For detailed interview preparation guidance, access Creighton’s Interview Guide.