Creighton Traditional PharmD Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

The Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (SPAHP) traditional PharmD program combines a long-standing history (founded 1905) with a mission grounded in Jesuit values. Interviews for this program are typically conducted in a conversational two-on-one format (two faculty interviewers with one candidate) and are closed-file, meaning interviewers have not reviewed the applicant’s academic file studentdoctor.net creighton.edu. Past applicants report the interview atmosphere to be moderately stressful yet fair studentdoctor.net, and Creighton’s relatively high acceptance rate (around 78% overall) suggests that a strong interview often leads to an offer collegevine.com. The school’s mission of compassionate service and justice is reflected in its curriculum and admissions preferences, so candidates are expected to demonstrate not only academic ability but also values like empathy, leadership, and a commitment to serving others. Creighton’s PharmD program is known for its rigorous, hands-on training, extensive clinical rotations and electives, and interprofessional education opportunities – all topics that candidates should be familiar with and ready to discuss or ask questions about during the interview.

In preparing for a Creighton pharmacy interview, applicants should be mindful of current healthcare policy issues relevant to pharmacy at the local and national level – for example, addressing rural healthcare needs and the expanding role of pharmacists in public health – as such topics provide context for discussion. Beyond grades and test scores, Creighton evaluates personal qualities and experiences: significant leadership roles, community service, and direct pharmacy or healthcare exposure (shadowing or work experience) are highly valued in the selection process creighton.edu. The program’s curriculum is built around achieving key professional competencies through an Introduce-Reinforce-Demonstrate model creighton.edu, ensuring graduates are well-prepared in patient care, collaboration, and ethical practice – an understanding that can inform how candidates articulate their fit for the program. Common interview questions have touched on motivations (e.g. why pharmacy, personal career goals), ethical scenarios and problem-solving, as well as getting to know the candidate’s personality and experiences. The 2025-2026 admissions cycle operates on a rolling basis, with a PharmCAS application opening in July 2025, a priority deadline in early November 2025, interviews conducted from fall through spring, and a final application deadline on June 1, 2026 creighton.edu pharmcas.org.

Creighton’s PharmD program typically uses a traditional panel interview rather than an MMI. According to a faculty member, the format is usually two pharmacy faculty interviewing one student, which allows for an in-depth conversation about the candidate’s understanding of the profession and their motivations creighton.edu. This approach means the interview feels conversational in style – interviewers often probe an applicant’s reasons for pursuing pharmacy and their insights into the field, rather than rapid-fire questioning. Most interviews are conducted closed-file (interviewers do not have access to the applicant’s grades or test scores during the interview), which puts the focus on the candidate’s verbal responses, personality, and critical thinking studentdoctor.net. The tone is generally professional but friendly; past candidates have described the stress level as average and felt that the interviewers were not overly aggressive studentdoctor.net.

In recent years, many interviews have been held virtually, with applicants logging in remotely studentdoctor.net. (Data from both before and after 2020 indicate a mix of in-person and virtual interviews.) Creighton’s admissions team notes that even if you interview online, you are encouraged to visit campus afterwards, reflecting the school’s emphasis on fit and community creighton.edu. Whether in-person or online, the format remains the same two-on-one conversation. Interview questions may include some situational or ethical prompts – giving a taste of MMI-style scenarios – but they are handled within the single panel interview rather than separate stations studentdoctor.net. Importantly, Creighton does not require the PCAT, so the interview is a key component of the holistic evaluation. With a historically strong post-interview acceptance rate, candidates who make it to the interview stage stand a good chance of admission collegevine.com, provided they effectively convey their preparedness and alignment with the program.

Overall, candidates should treat the Creighton interview as a professional conversation. The interviewers are looking for authenticity and thoughtful answers – as one faculty interviewer put it, “We don’t want them to be somebody else or an image of what they think we want”, emphasizing genuine self-presentation creighton.edu. They appreciate when applicants have reflected on their goals in pharmacy and can discuss why they’re interested in the field or a particular aspect of pharmacy with evidence of some research or experience behind it creighton.edu. This means you can expect questions that invite you to explain your passion for pharmacy, your understanding of the pharmacist’s role, and how you’ve prepared for this career. Maintaining good eye contact, clear communication, and enthusiasm (even via webcam) will help mirror the conversational, open tone that Creighton’s interview format encourages.

Creighton University is a Jesuit, Catholic institution, and the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (SPAHP) deeply embodies those Jesuit values in its mission. The official mission statement declares a dedication to “serving humanity by educating pharmacists... who provide compassionate, comprehensive care to individuals and populations” while advancing knowledge and promoting justice creighton.edu. In line with this, the school prioritizes forming health professionals who are ethically grounded, service-oriented, and community-focused. There is a strong emphasis on developing leaders who will act with integrity and seek justice in healthcare settings creighton.edu creighton.edu.

Several Ignatian values central to Jesuit education are woven into the program’s ethos. For example, Cura Personalis (care for the whole person) suggests that students and faculty should attend to each patient’s unique needs and dignity, a theme likely to come up in discussions about patient care or compassion in pharmacy creighton.edu. The concept of Magis (striving for the greater good) encourages continuous improvement and reflection – relevant when talking about one’s motivation for pursuing pharmacy or making a difference in the community creighton.edu. Service for and with others is explicitly highlighted: Creighton pharmacy students engage in service projects such as immunization clinics for the homeless and healthcare outreach to underserved communities creighton.edu. This aligns with the Jesuit ideal of forming “men and women for others” who use their skills to uplift those in need creighton.edu. In an interview context, candidates may find that their volunteer work or ethical outlook resonates with these institutional values. Demonstrating an understanding of Creighton’s mission – for instance, mentioning a commitment to compassionate care or interest in serving underserved populations – can subtly reinforce that you fit the school’s value system.

Creighton’s PharmD program offers a full-time, four-year professional curriculum on the Omaha campus (often preceded by at least two years of undergraduate prerequisites, making it a “2+4” traditional pathway). Established in 1905, Creighton’s pharmacy program has over a century of experience in training pharmacists pharmcas.org. The program is known for a rigorous science-based curriculum combined with substantial hands-on learning. Students spend their first years in didactic coursework and skills labs on campus and then progressively transition into clinical experiences. State-of-the-art facilities – including modern pharmacy skill labs and simulation centers – support student learning, and many faculty members are not only experienced educators but also board-certified practitioners and leaders in pharmacy nationally pharmcas.org. Class sizes are designed to be moderate (~110 students per cohort pharmcas.org), allowing for a close community feel and personal attention from faculty, which is a hallmark of Creighton’s approach.

Interprofessional education is a highlight of Creighton’s program. Pharmacy students frequently learn and collaborate alongside students in medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other health disciplines. This emphasis on interprofessional learning and collaborative practice prepares graduates to effectively be part of healthcare teams, reflecting today’s integrated care environments pharmcas.org. Creighton even has a Center for Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research (CIPER) that coordinates teamwork experiences. Such training means you might hear about or want to ask about opportunities to work with other professional students on projects or in clinical simulations.

Another strength of the program is its extensive experiential learning network. Creighton guarantees a wide variety of rotation sites: students complete Introductory and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs and APPEs) at one of over 1,000 practice sites across all 50 states and even some international locations pharmcas.org. These include major medical centers, community pharmacies, clinics, and specialized healthcare settings. By the final year, each student will have engaged in clinical rotations that cover diverse areas of practice (hospital, community, ambulatory care, etc.). Additionally, Creighton offers more than 30 elective rotations and courses, allowing students to pursue interests like Medication Therapy Management, geriatrics, pediatrics, oncology, research, or service learning in underserved communities pharmcas.org. This flexibility lets students customize their learning to some degree and develop niche skills.

Creighton’s PharmD is fully accredited and meets licensure requirements in all states, so graduates can sit for licensure exams (NAPLEX and MPJE) and practice nationally pharmcas.org. The school takes pride in its graduates’ outcomes: Creighton alumni are found in a wide range of pharmacy careers – from hospitals and clinics to community pharmacies, industry, the military, public health, and academia pharmcas.org. The comprehensive training (scientific knowledge, clinical skills, ethical grounding) aims to produce pharmacists who are both competent clinicians and compassionate providers. Notably, Creighton also offers unique pathways (like a distance pathway and a hybrid Phoenix pathway) in addition to the Omaha traditional program, but the traditional program shares the same curriculum standards and values.

Given these program features, it’s wise for interviewees to be familiar with Creighton’s offerings and even have a few thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the program. Showing interest by asking questions not only provides you with valuable information but also demonstrates to the interviewers that you have done your homework and are genuinely curious about their school. Below are a few examples of potential questions related to the program that you might consider asking during your interview:

• “Creighton’s program emphasizes interprofessional education – could you share some examples of how pharmacy students collaborate with other health profession students during the curriculum?”
• “I saw that there are over 30 elective rotation options, including areas like Medication Therapy Management and underserved care. How do students typically choose or get matched to those electives, and can they pursue specific interests through those opportunities?”
• “Community service seems important at Creighton (for example, the immunization clinics at homeless shelters). In what ways can pharmacy students get involved in service or outreach during their time in the program?”
• “With such a broad network of clinical rotation sites across the country, how does the school support students in securing rotations in locations or specialties they are most interested in?”

Pharmacy education and practice do not exist in a vacuum – public policy and healthcare trends often shape the context in which pharmacists work. Creighton’s mission and location (in Nebraska, with additional presence in Arizona via the Phoenix pathway) make certain policy and healthcare topics especially salient. Interviewers may not quiz you directly on policy details, but they appreciate candidates who are informed about the healthcare environment and challenges that pharmacists can help address. Being conversant in a few key issues can provide useful material if you’re asked something like, “What current healthcare issue is important to you?” or if you want to demonstrate awareness in your responses.

• Rural Healthcare Access: Nebraska has many rural communities, some considered “pharmacy deserts” with limited healthcare providers. Creighton-trained pharmacists often go on to serve in these areas, helping to fill provider shortages creighton.edu. A recent example highlighted alumni returning to small Nebraska towns to ensure patients have medication expertise nearby creighton.edu creighton.edu. You should be aware of the general challenge of rural healthcare access and how pharmacists (through telepharmacy, traveling clinics, or being the most accessible health professional in a small town) are part of the solution creighton.edu.
• Pharmacists’ Expanding Role in Public Health: Pharmacists nationwide are taking on greater responsibilities in patient care. For instance, they now commonly provide immunizations for flu, COVID-19, and other vaccines – a role expanded in many states’ laws and highlighted during the pandemic (e.g., executive orders in states like New York allowing pharmacists to vaccinate broader populations) reuters.com. Pharmacists also play roles in managing chronic diseases (through Medication Therapy Management and clinic-based care), conducting health screenings, and providing counseling to improve outcomes. Creighton’s curriculum specifically trains students in chronic disease management and even telehealth skills creighton.edu, reflecting these broader trends. Awareness of initiatives like the push for provider status (a federal recognition to let pharmacists bill Medicare for clinical services) or state-level scope-of-practice expansions can show you understand where the profession is heading.
• Healthcare Policy and Patient Care Trends: It’s useful to be aware of major healthcare issues that intersect with pharmacy. One is the opioid crisis – pharmacists have been key in dispensing naloxone, monitoring prescriptions, and educating patients on opioid risks. Another is medication affordability – topics such as drug pricing, insurance hurdles (like prior authorizations), or the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are often in the news. While you don’t need deep policy knowledge, understanding that pharmacists advocate for patients’ access to medications and have a voice in health policy debates is important. Regionally, for example, Nebraska has engaged in discussions about prescription drug monitoring programs and harm reduction strategies (like a debated needle exchange program) apnews.com, which ties into public health. Nationally, legislation enabling pharmacists to prescribe certain medications (birth control in some states, for example) or to practice at the top of their license is gradually spreading. Showing an awareness of how pharmacists fit into these big-picture issues – perhaps by mentioning a recent news item or personal experience – can underscore your enthusiasm for the profession’s evolving role.

Keep in mind, the interview is not an exam on policy, but if the conversation turns to topics like the pharmacist’s role in healthcare or challenges in the pharmacy field, having these points in your back pocket is very helpful. It demonstrates to the interviewers that you are entering the profession with your eyes open to current and future challenges. It can also be a good way to connect Creighton’s values to real-world issues (for instance, a commitment to justice might relate to ensuring all communities, rural or urban, have pharmacy services).

Creighton takes a holistic approach in evaluating applicants. While academic metrics (like GPA and prerequisite completion) are certainly important, the admissions committee looks closely at a range of non-academic factors to gauge an applicant’s fit and potential. This is evident from how Creighton describes its admissions process and even how it awards scholarships – which consider leadership and service in addition to grades creighton.edu. Below are some of the key non-academic criteria and qualities that Creighton values in PharmD applicants, based on official information and how successful candidates present themselves:

• Alignment with Mission and Values: Creighton explicitly evaluates whether a candidate’s personal goals resonate with the Jesuit mission of the program creighton.edu. This means they appreciate applicants who demonstrate a desire to care for others, a commitment to service or justice, and an ethical outlook. In practical terms, expressing why you value compassionate patient care or how you hope to serve the community as a pharmacist can highlight this alignment.
• Leadership and Service Experience: The school places weight on leadership roles and community service involvement. Whether you served as a leader in a student organization, volunteered at a clinic, or organized a community drive, such experiences indicate proactiveness and a service-minded character. Creighton notes that participation in service and leadership activities provides insight into a candidate’s dedication to the field creighton.edu. These experiences need not be pharmacy-specific (though pharmacy volunteering is a plus) – they can be any sustained commitment where you took responsibility or helped others.
• Healthcare & Pharmacy Experience: Creighton strongly encourages (and actually requires) that applicants have spent time observing or working with pharmacists creighton.edu. This could be through formal pharmacy shadowing, working as a pharmacy technician, or volunteering in a pharmacy or hospital. Such experience not only confirms your interest in pharmacy but also gives you practical insights you can discuss during interviews. It shows the admissions committee that you’ve taken initiative to understand the profession’s day-to-day reality. If you’ve done research or had other exposure to healthcare settings, it’s worth mentioning as well.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Although not a checkbox you fill, your interview performance and essays are themselves indicators of key soft skills creighton.edu. Being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and engage in a professional conversation is crucial. Creighton’s holistic review mentions the “quality of admission essays” and interview impression, which reflect your ability to communicate, your maturity, and your motivation. A friendly, sincere demeanor and good listening skills during the interview can reinforce that you have the people skills necessary for a pharmacist who will interact with patients and healthcare teams.
• Awards and Honors: Any honors (dean’s list, scholarships, awards for service or leadership) that you have earned can support your application by showing achievement and recognition by others. Creighton’s admissions notes that honors and awards are part of understanding a candidate’s journey creighton.edu. While they may not ask about every award in an interview, these distinctions on your application add to the picture of a well-rounded, high-achieving individual. If an award is particularly meaningful (e.g., an award for community service), it might even come up in conversation or be something you mention as a proud accomplishment.

In summary, Creighton is looking for well-rounded future pharmacists. Strong academics set the foundation, but equally important are the experiences that show who you are beyond the classroom. The emphasis on service and leadership ties back to Creighton’s mission – they want students who will not only excel in coursework but also contribute positively to the school community and the profession. When preparing for your interview, reflect on how your own experiences exemplify these qualities. Rather than just stating you have certain traits, be ready to share brief anecdotes or examples (for instance, a time you led a team, or a volunteer experience that moved you) that illustrate those traits in action.

Pharmacy education is guided by national standards and outcome frameworks that ensure all graduates attain certain essential competencies. Creighton’s PharmD program is fully accredited by ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education), which means its curriculum meets or exceeds the requirements defined in ACPE’s standards (covering everything from basic biomedical knowledge to clinical skills, communication, and professionalism). More specifically, like all accredited programs, Creighton’s curriculum is designed around targets such as the CAPE Educational Outcomes (Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education outcomes) that specify what pharmacy graduates should know and be able to do. These include broad domains like Foundational Knowledge (the science and pharmacotherapy know-how), Essentials for Practice and Care (providing patient-centered care, medication use systems management, health and wellness, population health), Approach to Practice and Care (problem-solving, clinical reasoning, patient advocacy, interprofessional collaboration, cultural sensitivity, communication), and Personal and Professional Development (self-awareness, leadership, innovation, and ethics/professionalism). While you don’t need to recite these in an interview, understanding that the program aims to cultivate these areas might help you frame your answers about what you hope to gain from Creighton or what strengths you bring.

Creighton has explicitly structured its curriculum in a way that integrates competencies progressively. They use a spiraling Introduce–Reinforce–Demonstrate (IRD) curricular model creighton.edu. This means that when you learn a skill or concept, you will first be introduced to it, later reinforce and build upon it in more advanced coursework, and eventually demonstrate mastery in a practical or clinical setting. For example, a communication skill might be introduced in a first-year course, reinforced during patient counseling simulations in the second year, and then demonstrated during third-year practice experiences. This IRD model ensures that learning is intentional and competency-based – you won’t just encounter topics randomly; they are sequenced so you continually strengthen your abilities. In an interview, you might not talk about IRD by name, but you could be asked how you learn best or handle skill development – showing appreciation for a structured approach like Creighton’s could be a subtle plus.

Another framework relevant to mention is the emphasis on Interprofessional Education (IPE) competencies. Creighton is known for its interprofessional training environment, aligning with the Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (as outlined by the IPEC). That means as a student you will be developing skills to work effectively in healthcare teams (respecting others’ roles, communication, team-based care). This is a competency area increasingly important in pharmacy. If the interview touches on teamwork or your experience working with people from different backgrounds, it’s a chance to relate to how the program will build those interprofessional skills. Finally, Creighton’s focus on Jesuit values can be seen as a framework for developing ethical and compassionate professionals – this aligns with the affective domain competencies in pharmacy (like professionalism, empathy, integrity). All these frameworks boil down to one thing: Creighton is preparing pharmacists who are clinically competent, socially responsible, and ready to collaborate in the healthcare system. Being aware of that can help you tailor your conversations. For instance, if asked “What appeals to you about our program?” you might note how the structured competency-based curriculum or the interprofessional opportunities appeal to you because they will make you a well-rounded pharmacist.

Every candidate’s interview will be unique, but looking at reports from previous Creighton pharmacy interviewees, certain question themes tend to recur. Creighton’s interviews tend to cover a mix of personal, behavioral, and scenario-based questions, rather than any technical quiz questions. Here are some common themes and examples of questions that have been reported in the past:

• Motivation and “Why Pharmacy”: Expect direct questions about your interest in pharmacy and your personal journey. Candidates have been asked things like “Why did you choose pharmacy?” or “What made you want to become a pharmacist?”. Related questions include “Tell us about yourself” – an opening for you to weave in how your background led you to this career. Essentially, the interviewers want to understand your drive and commitment. They will gauge if you have a sincere passion for the profession and if you have a realistic understanding of what it entails. (Dr. Kevin Fuji from Creighton notes that they aim to have in-depth conversations about a candidate’s understanding of the profession and motivations creighton.edu, which underscores how important this theme is.)
• Handling Challenges and Ethical Scenarios: Creighton often includes questions that assess your problem-solving, ethical reasoning, and resilience. These might be framed as behavioral questions ("Describe a time you had to deal with a conflict or a stressful situation," for example) or hypothetical scenarios ("What would you do if you saw a pharmacy colleague making a mistake?" or "How would you handle a difficult patient situation?"). In feedback, students noted being asked about handling conflict and dealing with difficult questions studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. The purpose is to see how you think on your feet and whether you have the maturity and ethics to navigate tough situations. When answering, it’s good to follow a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format for real examples, or clearly outline your thought process for hypotheticals.
• Personal Traits and Hobbies: The interviewers want to get to know you as a person, not just an applicant. Don’t be surprised by a light-hearted question like “What are your hobbies?” studentdoctor.net or “How do you handle being away from home?” studentdoctor.net. These questions help them see a human side of you – your interests, work-life balance, and how you cope with personal changes (like moving to Omaha for school). They might also ask what your friends would say about you, or to describe yourself in a few words. The key is to be honest and positive – there’s no “right” hobby, they just want to see that you have balance and can communicate comfortably about yourself.
• Reflection on Experiences: If you have stated in your application that you’ve worked as a pharmacy technician or volunteered in healthcare, expect to discuss it. For instance, one reported question was, “What don’t you like about your pharmacy tech job?” studentdoctor.net. Questions like this encourage you to reflect critically on your experiences (without being overly negative). They might also ask, “What’s a meaningful experience you’ve had in a pharmacy or healthcare setting?” or “What did you learn from [X experience]?”. The interviewers are evaluating how you extract lessons from real-life experiences and whether you understand the pharmacy environment. It’s an opportunity to highlight things like verifying that the pharmacy is the right path for you, or skills you picked up (communication with patients, teamwork in a pharmacy, handling pressure, etc.).

Aside from these themes, of course, be prepared for standard questions such as “Why Creighton?” – you should articulate why their program appeals to you (perhaps mention the strong clinical rotations, the values, or anything that genuinely draws you). Some candidates also mention being asked about their future plans or where they see themselves in 5-10 years, which ties into motivation and goal-setting. Remember, listening carefully to each question is important – if an interviewer poses a multi-part question or something slightly unusual, take a moment to gather your thoughts. The goal of these questions isn’t to trip you up, but to give you opportunities to show your self-awareness, decision-making, and personality. By reviewing these common themes, you can think of relevant stories or points from your background that fit, which will help you feel more confident and genuine in your responses.

Planning your application timeline is crucial. Creighton operates on a rolling admissions basis, which means that they evaluate applications and conduct interviews continuously as the cycle progresses, rather than waiting for one final deadline to review everyone. For the 2025-2026 cycle (entry in Fall 2026), here are the key dates and milestones to keep in mind creighton.edu pharmcas.org:

• Mid-July 2025 – Applications Open: The PharmCAS application for Creighton (and most pharmacy schools) will open in summer 2025 (typically around July 10th). From this date, you can start submitting your application. It’s wise to begin your PharmCAS and gather your transcripts, recommendation letters, and personal statement early. Creighton notes that applications open in mid-July for the cohort that will begin the following August creighton.edu.
• November 1, 2025 – Priority Deadline: Creighton sets an early preferred deadline of November 1 for applications creighton.edu. Applicants who apply by this date receive priority consideration for scholarships and also get the benefit of choosing from more available interview dates pharmcas.org. (In fact, Creighton explicitly states that meeting the priority deadline can allow you to reserve a preferred interview slot.) This doesn’t mean you can’t get in if you apply later, but if Creighton is a top choice, aiming for this deadline is advantageous. Also, Creighton has an Early Assurance pathway (for Creighton undergrads or specific partner programs) which shares this date as a commitment deadline – those candidates also must apply by Nov 1.
• December 2025 – January 2026 – Academic Update: PharmCAS provides a window (usually December through early January) where you can update your fall 2025 grades if you were taking courses. Creighton will accept these updates, so if you had any prerequisite courses in progress in fall, be sure to send the updated transcript to PharmCAS. This ensures your GPA calculation and academic record are up to date for consideration.
• September 2025 – June 2026 – Interviews Conducted: Because of rolling admissions, Creighton begins interviewing early. In fact, interview invitations can start as soon as late summer or early fall for strong early applicants, with formal interview sessions starting in September 2025. Interviews then continue on periodic dates (often monthly or bi-monthly) through the fall, winter, and spring. Creighton indicates that interviews will be scheduled from September all the way through June for late applicants creighton.edu. If you apply by the priority deadline, you’ll likely interview in the fall or early winter; if you apply later, interviews might be in spring. They notify invitees via email, so keep an eye on your inbox (and spam folder). It’s also worth noting that if you interview virtually and have not visited, Creighton encourages visiting campus separately to get a feel for the community creighton.edu.
• June 1, 2026 – Final Application Deadline: This is the last date to submit your PharmCAS application to Creighton for the 2025-26 cycle pharmcas.org. Creighton’s final deadline is quite late (June 1) compared to some other schools, which demonstrates they will consider candidates deep into the cycle if space remains. However, waiting this long is not recommended unless you have extenuating circumstances, because classes can fill up. Remember, applying earlier in rolling admissions gives you a better chance both at admission and at scholarships.
• Post-Interview Decision Timeline: After you interview, Creighton generally notifies candidates of admissions decisions relatively quickly (often within a few weeks). If you’re accepted, you’ll usually need to pay a deposit to hold your seat – the deposit deadline and amount will be communicated in the acceptance offer (and may depend on how far out from matriculation it is; deposits might be partially refundable up to a certain date, according to common pharmacy school practices). If you are waitlisted, Creighton may give you an idea of when final decisions are made (likely early summer). By mid-summer 2026, the class will be finalized in preparation for orientation.
• August 2026 – PharmD Program Begins: The new cohort of Creighton PharmD students will matriculate in August 2026. There will be an orientation program to introduce students to the school, campus resources, and to begin that sense of community. Creighton’s semester typically starts in late August. At this point, all your hard work in the application process turns into the hard work (and excitement) of being a pharmacy student!

To manage this timeline, be sure to plan ahead. If possible, complete your PharmCAS application well before the final deadline – not only for priority consideration, but also because it can take time for PharmCAS to verify your transcripts. Also try to take the PCAT by summer (if it were required – though Creighton does not require the PCAT at all, which is one less thing to worry about creighton.edu). Keep track of when your recommenders send their letters and when your transcripts are received. Creighton’s rolling admissions means they might extend offers even in the fall and winter, so an early application could lead to an early acceptance – allowing you to relax in the later parts of the cycle. But whenever you apply, make sure it’s complete and polished. The timeline above is your friend in strategizing when to submit and how to prepare for each stage (application, interview, etc.).

Interviewing at Creighton University’s School of Pharmacy and Health Professions is an opportunity to showcase not just your academic preparedness, but also your alignment with the school’s values and your enthusiasm for the pharmacy profession. In this guide, we reviewed how Creighton uses a friendly panel-style interview in a closed-file setting, focusing on sincere conversation and a holistic view of each candidate creighton.edu studentdoctor.net. We highlighted the importance of Creighton’s Jesuit mission – namely, its emphasis on compassionate care, service, and social justice – and how those ideals permeate the program and the qualities sought in applicants creighton.edu. The program itself offers robust training with cutting-edge facilities, extensive clinical rotations, and interprofessional experiences pharmcas.org pharmcas.org, so demonstrating knowledge of these features and asking thoughtful questions can set you apart as a well-informed candidate.

As you prepare, keep in mind the wider context of pharmacy: being conversant in key healthcare issues (from rural health needs to the evolving role of pharmacists in public health) can enrich your interview responses and show your foresight in the field creighton.edu reuters.com. Remember that Creighton values character and experiences – leadership roles, community service, and hands-on exposure to pharmacy are all significant in their selection process creighton.edu. The interview questions you encounter will likely invite you to discuss your motivations, ethical reasoning, and personal background, so it helps to reflect on those areas beforehand and come ready to share your story and perspective. Finally, be mindful of the timeline: with rolling admissions, early preparation and application can be beneficial, but whenever you interview, approach it with confidence and authenticity. By understanding Creighton’s format, mission, program highlights, and expectations, you’ll be well-equipped to deliver a strong impression. Good luck with your interview, and Welcome to Creighton if it turns out to be the right fit for you!