Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy MMI Practice Questions

What aspects of the Spiritan mission at Duquesne University resonate most with you?

How should Pennsylvania balance protecting independent pharmacies through PBM regulation with ensuring patients have access to potentially more cost-effective mail-order pharmacy services?

Tell me about yourself.

Why pharmacy?

Why Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy?

How should Pennsylvania pharmacy schools prepare graduates for the ethical challenges of practicing in a healthcare system where business pressures from PBMs may conflict with patient care obligations?

Healthcare students learn procedures on real patients. Is this ethical, given that students are less skilled?

Independent pharmacies are closing at increasing rates, particularly in rural areas, due to low reimbursement rates and competition from chains. This creates 'pharmacy deserts' where patients lack access to pharmacy services. Should the government provide subsidies or incentives to maintain independent pharmacies in underserved areas? Discuss with the interviewer.

Should patients have the right to request a healthcare provider of a specific gender, race, or cultural background?

What responsibilities do Pennsylvania pharmacists have when patients cannot afford their medications, particularly in communities where the nearest alternative pharmacy may require significant travel?

What is your learning style?

You are a clinical pharmacist on a hospital ward. A patient's insurance denies their $800 medication. You know a $20 generic alternative exists, but the prescription says 'Dispense as Written.' What do you do?

Mail-order pharmacies and insurance company partnerships often incentivize or require patients to use specific pharmacies, disrupting established patient-pharmacist relationships. When patients are forced to switch pharmacies for insurance reasons, pharmacists lose the ability to monitor for drug interactions and adherence. Is it ethically problematic for insurance companies to direct patients away from their preferred pharmacies? Discuss the ethical considerations with the interviewer.

If you were a fruit, which one would you be and why?

You’re volunteering at a community mental-health clinic. During a family dinner, your brother proudly mentions that he just hired a new employee named Rachel. You realize it’s a patient from your clinic who has a history of manic episodes that recently caused workplace disruptions. What do you do?

A viral blog post asserts that "organic diets cure cancer," citing several testimonials from individuals who claim remission after eliminating processed foods. The post criticizes oncologists for "profiting from chemotherapy" and argues that "pharmaceutical science ignores nature's cures." The author includes references to "a study" without citation, and dismisses contradictory data as "corporate propaganda." Evaluate the strength of the arguments presented. What logical or ethical issues arise in promoting such claims to vulnerable populations?

How do you relate to our mission?

A grateful patient leaves a $100 gift card and a thank-you note at the front desk addressed specifically to you. What do you do?

A close friend in your study group admits they copied answers from another student on a recent exam but asks you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

Tell me about a time when you had to explain a complex scientific concept to someone without a science background. How did you approach it?

You're managing a small rural health center during a severe flu outbreak. You have 10 doses of antiviral medication left, but 25 high-risk patients need it. Among those waiting: elderly nursing home residents, pregnant women, healthcare workers who are essential to keep the clinic running, children with asthma, and adults caring for disabled family members. How do you decide who receives the medication?

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the US sometimes reimburse pharmacies below the cost of medications, forcing pharmacies to lose money on certain prescriptions. This particularly affects independent pharmacies. Do pharmacists have an ethical obligation to fill prescriptions at a financial loss? What are the implications for pharmacy sustainability and access? Discuss with the interviewer.

Describe a situation where you had to navigate cultural differences in a team or work environment.

A friend owes you $200 from three months ago and keeps avoiding the topic. Now they're posting on social media about an expensive concert they just attended. How do you address this?

You are the lead pharmacist at a retail pharmacy. Your pharmacy receives a vaccine shipment that was temperature-compromised during transit. The vaccines likely exceeded safe storage temperatures, which could reduce their effectiveness or make them unsafe. Corporate tells you that the financial loss would be significant—tens of thousands of dollars—and instructs you to dispense them anyway, saying 'they're probably fine' and that 'the temperature only spiked briefly.' They imply that reporting this could reflect poorly on the pharmacy and affect your performance review. You're aware that compromised vaccines may not provide adequate immunity to patients, particularly vulnerable populations like infants and elderly individuals. What would you do? What would you consider?

Insulin prices in the US are significantly higher than in other countries, forcing some diabetic patients to ration their insulin. Some states have implemented insulin price caps. Should the federal government cap insulin prices nationally? Consider the implications for access and pharmaceutical innovation. Discuss with the interviewer.

What is the biggest problem in healthcare today?

How would you explain the internet to someone from the 1800s?

What would you do if you caught a classmate cheating?

Should there be stronger federal regulations on pharmacy benefit managers and prescription insurance practices to protect patients?

Describe a situation where you made a mistake that affected others. What did you do?

What is one of your strengths in a leadership role?

If animals could talk, which species would be the rudest?

What do you know about Duquesne's interprofessional education opportunities with other health science programs?

What are Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy's values?

You are a pharmacist working the evening shift alone. A patient becomes verbally aggressive because their prescription isn't ready. Other customers are watching and you feel unsafe. What do you do?

Tell me about a skill or knowledge area where you've shown significant improvement over time. What was your learning process?

How do you study?

You’re working in a research lab when you discover that your supervisor has failed to report a conflict of interest—he’s consulting for the company funding the study. You depend on him for a strong reference for grad school. What do you do?

Who is your role model?

What role should technology and AI play in the future of healthcare?

You're at a party and a friend insists on driving herself home, even though she has been drinking. What do you do?

Describe a time when you identified an unfair policy or practice and took action to address it.

How does Duquesne's focus on developing pharmacy leaders align with your career goals?

You are a clinical pharmacist. A patient's Medicare Part D plan has a coverage gap ('donut hole') and they now have to pay full price for medications. They can't afford all of them and ask which ones they can safely skip. What do you do?

How would you fix the healthcare system?

Should pharmacy education be more affordable or include tuition forgiveness programs to reduce barriers to entering the profession?

You’re walking out of a coffee shop when you notice someone drop their wallet. You pick it up and realize there’s a large amount of cash inside, but no ID. You also notice the person quickly leaving in a taxi before you can call out. What do you do?

Describe a time you had to respect someone's autonomy even when you disagreed with their choice

While volunteering at a community center, a family refuses to vaccinate their children due to religious beliefs. The father quietly tells you he disagrees but fears community backlash if he consents. What do you do?

Tell me about a time you experienced a team conflict and how you resolved it.

You see a friend post misleading health information on social media that’s getting lots of attention. How do you handle it?

An economics think tank proposes legalizing the sale of kidneys to reduce transplant waiting lists. They argue that a regulated market would prevent black-market exploitation, compensate donors fairly, and save lives. Critics claim it would commodify the human body and exploit the poor. The report dismisses these objections as "emotional resistance to economic reality." Discuss the logical and ethical merits and weaknesses of this proposal.

Dr. Sharma often prescribes vitamin supplements to patients complaining of low energy. She knows there is no clear evidence of deficiency, but believes "it can't hurt and might make them feel cared for." Consider the ethical issues raised by Dr. Sharma's actions. What professional obligations might conflict here?

Describe a time working with someone you did not like.

Should gene editing technologies like CRISPR be used to enhance human traits (not just treat disease) in future generations?

Should Pennsylvania implement differential licensing requirements or incentives for pharmacists willing to practice in the state's rural pharmacy deserts?

What is your biggest regret?

You accidentally receive an email from your supervisor that contains private performance evaluations, including criticism of a close friend. Later that day, your friend mentions feeling anxious about whether management trusts them. What do you do?

What do you think about stem cell research?

How does Duquesne's small class size and low student-to-faculty ratio appeal to your learning preferences?

What was your most challenging experience?

Should healthcare institutions implement mandatory unconscious bias training for all staff and students?

If you had to be a piece of furniture in a hospital, what would you be?

The ongoing Rite Aid bankruptcy closures threaten to further limit access to immunizations and medication counseling in Pennsylvania communities. Bipartisan legislators note that 21 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties already have fewer than 10 pharmacies. Analyze whether the state should provide emergency funding or subsidies to maintain pharmacy services in critically underserved areas, and what obligations this creates for recipient pharmacists.

What do you do for fun?

If you could add one law to the laws of physics, what would it be?

What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?

Is it ethical for pharmaceutical companies to charge high prices for life-saving medications?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

If you could have dinner with anyone, who and why?

Teach me something.

You can eliminate one color from existence. Which one and why?

How do you handle stress?

Is healthcare a right or a privilege?

A colleague you respect makes a dismissive comment toward a patient from a marginalized background. You know confronting them could damage your working relationship. What do you do?

What attracted you specifically to Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy's experiential learning approach?

You discover a popular local business (a major employer and your organization's biggest donor) is illegally dumping chemicals likely causing elevated cancer rates. You have preliminary but not conclusive data. Going public might cause panic and lawsuits that destroy your organization's funding (affecting 500 families). Waiting for conclusive evidence (2-3 years) means more exposure. What do you do?

How would you contribute to the diverse and inclusive community at Duquesne Mylan School of Pharmacy?

If you were a soup, what kind would you be?

You are a pharmacist working at a pharmacy in a conservative community. A teenage girl requests emergency contraception privately and mentions she can't let her parents find out. She's visibly anxious and you can tell she's been working up the courage to ask. Your pharmacy stocks emergency contraception and it's legal to dispense without a prescription to patients of any age, but the pharmacy owner has previously expressed strong personal and religious objections to providing it. They've told staff they believe it goes against their conscience. The girl is looking at you desperately, and the owner is in the back office. You know that if you refer her elsewhere, the nearest pharmacy that would definitely provide it is 45 minutes away, and she's on foot. What would you do? What would you consider?

If you could choose one superpower what would it be?

What are three words people who know you would use to describe you?

What is an ethical dilemma you have faced?

Should people with unhealthy lifestyles (e.g., smokers, heavy drinkers) have reduced access to certain treatments?

You're on a scholarship committee choosing between two equally qualified finalists: Candidate A overcame homelessness and foster care (first in family to attend university), Candidate B has a disability and spent years advocating for accessibility (worked three times harder than peers for same grades). You can only choose one. Another committee member reveals Candidate A's essay was heavily edited by a mentor, while B's is entirely their own work. Who do you choose?

Should students from disadvantaged backgrounds receive preferential admission to health professions programs?

What would you do if a patient refused treatment?

Tell me about a time you exhibited leadership.

If your life were a movie, what would the theme?

How many golf balls fit in an airplane?

Can compassion be taught?

You are a pharmacy intern. An uninsured patient needs a life-saving medication that costs $2,400. They're crying at the counter saying they'll have to choose between this and rent. What do you do?

A coworker asks you to clock them in when they'll be 30 minutes late, saying their supervisor is 'unreasonably strict' and they might get fired for being late again. What do you do?

In the US, patients frequently cannot afford their medications, leading to non-adherence and poor health outcomes. Pharmacists must decide whether to partially fill prescriptions, extend credit, or refer patients to assistance programs. Do pharmacists have an ethical obligation to help patients access medications they cannot afford? What are the limits of this obligation? Discuss with the interviewer.

What controversial healthcare topic are you passionate about?

How will you handle burnout and being overwhelmed?

Penn State research found that rural Pennsylvanians develop concerning workarounds when local pharmacies close, including taking blood pressure medication every other day or reducing insulin doses. Some patients reported being embarrassed to ask questions they would normally pose to their trusted local pharmacist. Assess whether the pharmacy profession's emphasis on clinical services and counseling creates ethical obligations that extend beyond traditional dispensing roles, especially in underserved communities.

Is it ethically acceptable for pharmacists to participate in pharmaceutical company promotional programs when patients may not fully understand medication risks?

What interests you about Duquesne's emphasis on pharmaceutical care and patient-centered practice?

You are a community pharmacist. A patient picking up antibiotics for their child mentions they plan to 'save some for next time' to avoid another doctor visit. What do you do?

What would you do if a colleague comes to work smelling of alcohol?

What do you know about the research opportunities available at Duquesne's School of Pharmacy?

Should there be federal regulations limiting corporate ownership and control of retail pharmacies?

What would you do if a teenager confides they're being abused at home but begs you not to tell anyone?

You are a pharmacy manager. A patient's insurance requires them to use a mail-order pharmacy for maintenance medications, but they prefer your pharmacy where they've built a relationship and trust you to catch drug interactions. They ask if there's any way around this requirement. What do you do?

Indigenous communities often have distrust of mainstream healthcare. How should the healthcare system address historical harms and build trust?

Some US states have 'conscience clause' laws allowing pharmacists to refuse to dispense certain medications, such as emergency contraception or abortion pills, based on personal beliefs. When pharmacists refuse, patients may face delays or barriers to care. Is it ethically acceptable for pharmacists to refuse to dispense legal medications based on personal moral or religious beliefs? What ethical principles are at stake? Discuss your position with the interviewer.

Many patients cannot afford medications due to high copays and deductibles. Some have proposed allowing importation of cheaper medications from Canada and other countries with similar safety standards. Should the US allow individuals to import prescription medications from other countries? Discuss this policy with the interviewer.

If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?

What would you do if your employer forced you to work over Thanksgiving weekend, interfering with your family plans?

What are pharmacists' ethical obligations when patients cannot afford prescribed medications and request less expensive alternatives?

What makes you special?

What is your favorite movie?

You are a pharmacy student on rotation. You discover a pharmacy technician has been taking expired medication samples to sell online. They're a struggling single parent. What do you do?

Should healthcare workers strike if working conditions are unsafe for them or their patients?

Should prescription drug coverage be included comprehensively in Medicare and Medicaid with lower out-of-pocket costs?

Why do you want to go to school in Pittsburgh?

Do you think it's ever ethical to lie to a patient?

Who should receive an organ transplant: a convicted felon or an uninsured mother?

You overhear colleagues spreading a harmful rumor about a co-worker’s personal life. You consider reporting it, but one of the people gossiping is close to your manager. The targeted colleague is unaware but already seems isolated. How do you handle this, knowing it could affect your standing in the team?

Should childhood vaccinations be mandatory for school attendance, or should parents have the right to refuse?

Tell me about a time you had to advocate for someone who wasn’t being heard.

Describe a situation where you had to maintain professionalism under difficult or frustrating circumstances.

With Pennsylvania pharmacists reporting that mail-order prescriptions are insufficient to replace local stores, especially for medication counseling and adherence support, evaluate the ethics of insurance companies that steer patients toward mail-order services while pharmacies in their communities struggle to survive.

How many rubber ducks would it take to fill this room?

What would you do if a coworker is taking credit for your work on a group project.

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?

A patient you've been working with for months asks you out on a date. How do you handle this?

A hospital press release promotes its new "AI-assisted triage system," which ranks patients by predicted survival rate to maximize efficiency. The administration reports shorter wait times and fewer administrative errors. However, some staff have noticed that patients from minority backgrounds are systematically ranked lower, potentially due to bias in the training data. Hospital leadership insists that "the algorithm is objective" and that "efficiency is our ethical duty." Critically analyze this justification. What ethical concerns and reasoning flaws might you identify?

In times of resource scarcity—such as limited ICU beds or transplant organs—some argue younger patients should be prioritized because they have more potential years of life. Others claim all lives should be valued equally, regardless of age. Discuss the ethical implications of using age as a factor in allocating scarce medical resources.

What are your weaknesses?

Should Pennsylvania require chain pharmacies to provide advance notice and transition services when closing locations in underserved areas?

What community service activities have you done?

A 16-year-old you recognize as your neighbor's daughter requests emergency contraception at your clinic. She's terrified and begs you not to tell her strict religious parents. She mentions her boyfriend is 19 (potential statutory rape). When you discuss reporting requirements, she threatens self-harm if anyone finds out. What are your competing obligations? What do you do first? What if she insists the relationship is consensual?

Tell me about a time when you recognized a personal limitation or weakness that was affecting your performance. What did you do about it?

What would you do if someone in a group project falsified data?

Is it ethically problematic for pharmacists to participate in discount prescription programs that may create quality or safety concerns?

Pharmacists working in chain pharmacies often face productivity quotas that limit time for patient counseling. Corporate metrics may prioritize speed and volume over patient safety. When corporate demands conflict with professional obligations to ensure safe medication use, what are the pharmacist's ethical obligations? Discuss your opinion with the interviewer.

You’re catching a ride home from a friend who begins texting while driving. When you ask them to stop, they brush you off and say, “Relax, I do this all the time.” How do you respond?

You are a newly licensed pharmacist. A pharmaceutical rep offers an all-expenses-paid 'conference' in Hawaii if you preferentially recommend their brand-name drug over equivalent generics. What do you do?

Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a teammate, supervisor, or friend.

Tell me about a time when you were impacted by miscommunication.

What do you think are important qualities for a pharmacist?

Describe a moment when you connected with someone who was going through a difficult time.

What will you do if you do not get into pharmacy school?

Should lifestyle choices (smoking, obesity, non-compliance) affect priority for organ transplants?

Convince me that a potato is the most important invention in human history.

Do pharmacists have an ethical obligation to help uninsured patients access medications or find alternatives when insurance coverage is denied or exhausted?

You're leading a student health initiative when you discover that a fellow student leader has been embezzling small amounts of money from the organization's budget over several months (totaling about $2,000). When you confront them, they admit it but explain that their family was evicted and they needed money for food and supplies for their younger siblings. They're the first in their family to attend university and are working two jobs while maintaining a 3.9 GPA. They're devastated and ashamed, offer to pay it back over time, and beg you not to report it because it would mean expulsion and loss of their scholarship. Your organization's constitution requires reporting any financial irregularities to the dean. What do you do?

Over 140 Pennsylvania pharmacies closed in 2024, with more than 70 being independently run, creating pharmacy deserts where 540,000 rural residents live at least five miles from the nearest pharmacy. Simultaneously, Governor Shapiro signed legislation regulating Pharmacy Benefit Managers to address predatory practices that have contributed to closures. Analyze whether Pennsylvania pharmacists have an ethical duty to maintain operations in underserved areas even when facing unsustainable reimbursement rates from PBMs.

Should the US substantially expand community health center pharmacy services to provide more affordable medications?

Tell me about a time you changed your mind after learning new information.

How might the transition to pharmacy school affect you.

You discover a classmate is using AI to generate their reflective essays about patient interactions—essays meant to develop empathy and self-awareness. The AI-generated reflections are actually better written and more insightful than most students' authentic ones. They're getting top marks and genuinely learning from reading what the AI produces. What do you do?

You are a pharmacy intern. A patient's young child sees you preparing their parent's HIV medication and asks loudly 'What's that for?' in a crowded pharmacy. How do you respond?

A government report suggests reducing hospital electricity usage by lowering air conditioning levels, switching to biodegradable single-use instruments, and restricting high-energy medical imaging for non-urgent cases. Officials claim this is necessary to meet carbon neutrality goals. Critics warn that such policies could endanger patient safety and comfort. Critically examine this policy's reasoning. How should public health balance environmental responsibility and patient care?

How would you utilize Duquesne's location in Pittsburgh's medical corridor to enhance your pharmacy education?

You are a pharmacy manager. A patient has been filling opioid prescriptions from three different doctors, suggesting doctor shopping. When you raise concerns, they become hostile. What do you do?

You are a pharmacist. A diabetic patient can't afford their $300 insulin. They've been rationing it and their blood sugar is dangerously high. What do you do?

What was the most difficult decision you have ever had to make?

Should healthcare professionals be required to receive certain vaccinations?

What do you do if a colleague has a substance abuse problem?

What would you do if a group member isn't doing their part?

You're working at an organization when you discover that your mentor—someone who has been instrumental in your development, advocated for you repeatedly, and is genuinely kind—has been quietly discriminating against certain job applicants based on protected characteristics. They're subtle about it (finding 'legitimate' reasons to reject candidates), but the pattern is clear. When you carefully raise concerns, they become defensive and hurt, saying you've misunderstood and that they've 'always supported diversity.' You have documented evidence, but reporting it would likely end their career and damage your own reputation by association. They're also dealing with a family crisis and are in a fragile state. However, their behavior is harming people and perpetuating inequality. What's your responsibility here?

As AI becomes better at diagnosis than human doctors, should we rely more on AI decision-making?

Tell me about your lowest grade.

Do you believe diversity is important in a healthcare setting? Why or why not?

You are a pharmacist. A prescription seems unusually high-dose. The prescriber's office is dismissive when you call to verify. The patient is in pain and waiting. What do you do?

What are your strengths?

You accidentally see a text on your roommate's phone suggesting they're cheating on their long-term partner, who is also your friend. What, if anything, do you do?

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) negotiate drug prices and create formularies but are largely unregulated. Critics argue PBMs increase costs and reduce transparency. Should PBMs be regulated more strictly or their practices restricted? Discuss this policy with the interviewer.

The US allows direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising, unlike most other countries. Critics argue this drives demand for expensive brand-name drugs when cheaper alternatives exist. Should the US ban direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising? Discuss the implications with the interviewer.

What are your thoughts on the role of private vs. public healthcare?

Walk me through a period when you were overwhelmed with responsibilities. How did you use to get through it?

What would be the worst superpower to have?

What is your biggest fear?

During a public health crisis, when is it appropriate to mandate masks, lockdowns, or quarantines? Where should individual freedom end?

What are pharmacists' ethical obligations when corporate pharmacy policies create productivity pressures that may compromise patient safety?

Your roommate confides in you that they have been struggling with depression and occasionally use prescription medication that was not prescribed to them. They ask you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

What would you do if a team member isn’t contributing on a group project?

You discover a colleague has been embellishing their credentials—claiming degrees from prestigious schools when they actually graduated from less-known programs. They're exceptionally good at their job, patients love them, and outcomes are excellent. But they lied on their application. Do you report it? What if they came from poverty and believed (possibly correctly) they'd never get hired without prestigious credentials?

What would you do if a patient's family requests you not tell the patient about their diagnosis?

Many rare diseases affect too few people for pharmaceutical companies to profitably develop treatments. Should governments mandate research into rare diseases, redirect funding from common diseases, or accept that resources must be allocated where they help the most people?

You are a pharmacist working for a large chain. Corporate has implemented a policy requiring you to counsel patients on switching to the chain's generic brands to increase profit margins, even when prescriptions specify other manufacturers. The generics are therapeutically equivalent but some patients have had issues with specific manufacturers. Your performance review depends partly on your 'generic conversion rate.' What would you do? What would you consider?

Do you think pharmaceutical companies should be allowed to advertise drugs to consumers?

Tell me about a time you failed.

How does Duquesne's emphasis on community service and social justice align with your personal values?

A classmate you barely know asks to copy your homework, explaining they've been dealing with a family emergency and haven't had time to complete it. What do you do?

Should gender-affirming care be available to minors? What factors should be considered?

The Pennsylvania Auditor General found that Pharmacy Benefit Managers overcharged the state $7 million in 2022 for Medicaid prescription drug benefits due to poor oversight. Some lawmakers call this "misleading nonsense" while others demand legislative action. Given that PBMs' practices disproportionately harm small pharmacies serving vulnerable populations, evaluate whether pharmacists should actively lobby against PBM practices even if it means potentially antagonizing major healthcare systems that employ many pharmacists.

If you were a kitchen appliance, which one would you be and why?

What would you do if a colleague of yours made a mistake and doesn't want to tell the patient?

A team project wins an award. You and a peer did equal work, but only you were mentioned in the press release. Your supervisor congratulates you publicly. Correcting the record may jeopardize your relationship with them. What do you do?