Duquesne Mylan SOP Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

This interview prep guide provides a comprehensive overview of what to expect and prepare for when interviewing with the Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy. It begins by outlining the interview format – a hybrid approach combining multiple mini-interviews (MMI) and a panel discussion – and details how the process is conducted pharmcas.org studentdoctor.net. The guide then delves into the school’s mission and core values, which emphasize improving patient health outcomes through excellence, service, and leadership duq.edu duq.edu. Key features of Duquesne’s Pharm.D. program are summarized, including its direct-entry structure, experiential learning opportunities, and unique offerings like specialization certificates and global health experiences duq.edu duq.edu. The guide also highlights current pharmacy policy issues relevant to the region and nation – topics an informed candidate should be aware of – and describes the non-academic qualities (e.g. leadership, community service, teamwork) that Duquesne values in applicants duq.edu duq.edu. Additionally, common themes from past interview questions are identified to illustrate the types of discussions one might encounter during the interview. Finally, the timeline and important deadlines for the 2025-2026 application cycle are provided, ensuring applicants stay on track. All these elements come together to help candidates prepare thoroughly and confidently for their Duquesne pharmacy school interview.

The interview at Duquesne’s School of Pharmacy typically lasts around 40–50 minutes studentdoctor.net and often involves multiple interviewers. Most candidates report being interviewed by a panel of about four people studentdoctor.net. Uniquely, the school frequently conducts interviews in a group setting, where several applicants interact together during certain activities studentdoctor.net. This format allows the admissions team to observe how candidates communicate and collaborate in real time.

Duquesne uses a hybrid interview format that combines elements of the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) with a traditional panel interview pharmcas.org. In practice, this means candidates participate in MMI-style exercises – for example, a collaborative group discussion to establish a pharmacist code of conduct studentdoctor.net – followed by a personal interview with faculty members. The process is open-file, so interviewers will have access to each applicant’s academic record and application details during the evaluation studentdoctor.net. Interviews in recent cycles have often been conducted virtually studentdoctor.net (a trend initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic), though on-campus interviews were the norm pre-2020 and may be used again. While exact post-interview acceptance figures aren’t published, Duquesne’s overall acceptance rate (~45%) suggests that a significant proportion of those interviewed ultimately receive offers of admission pharmacyschoolfinder.org.

Duquesne’s School of Pharmacy is guided by a clear sense of mission rooted in the university’s Catholic Spiritan heritage. The official mission is to educate and mentor students who advance the profession of pharmacy and pharmaceutical research to improve the health outcomes of patients and their communities duq.edu. This reflects Duquesne University’s broader ethos: the core of Duquesne’s mission is to serve God by serving students, so they can, in turn, serve others duq.edu. In practical terms, the school places strong emphasis on excellence in education, ethical practice, and compassionate service to others. Students are encouraged to view pharmacy as a means to improve lives – a calling consistent with being men and women for others.

Aligned with its mission, the school’s vision is to develop pharmacists who are “recognized leaders, innovators and advocates” in all areas of practice and research duq.edu. This forward-looking vision translates into a learning environment that champions leadership development, innovation in healthcare, and advocacy for patients. Spiritan Catholic values infuse the program – promoting integrity, respect for diversity, and a commitment to social justice. Duquesne pharmacy students experience a curriculum that not only imparts clinical knowledge but also instills professionalism and empathy. For example, the school upholds a tradition of service by integrating community engagement and even global health opportunities into the student experience duq.edu. Overall, the culture at Duquesne Mylan School of Pharmacy is one that expects students to strive for academic excellence and to use their skills “in the service of others,” consistent with the university’s motto duq.edu.

• Direct-entry Pharm.D. program: Duquesne offers a seamless 0-6 Pharm.D. curriculum, meaning students can enter directly from high school and earn both a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Foundations and the Doctor of Pharmacy degree in six years duq.edu duq.edu. The first two years cover pre-professional coursework, after which students progress into the four-year professional phase (P1–P4) without needing to reapply. (The school also welcomes transfer students or college graduates into the professional phase, providing multiple entry pathways.)
• Flexible study pathways: The Pharm.D. program is delivered on Duquesne’s Pittsburgh campus and also through an innovative online pathway, allowing remote completion of didactic coursework duq.edu duq.edu. Duquesne was a pioneer in non-traditional schedules – it launched a unique weekend Pharm.D. option (the first of its kind nationally) and later the online Pharm.D. track to accommodate different student needs duq.edu. All pathways provide the same accredited curriculum and lead to the Pharm.D. degree.
• Experiential learning and clinical training: Hands-on experience is a cornerstone of the program. From early in the professional phase, students engage in Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs), and the final year is devoted to full-time Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) in diverse healthcare settings. The school’s curriculum is "brimming with experiential learning" and offers extensive clinical training opportunities in hospitals, community pharmacies, research labs, and other sites duq.edu. Duquesne has an extensive network of clinical partners (health systems, pharmacies, industry) that host students for rotations, facilitated through its Academic Partners Program duq.edu. This real-world training ensures graduates enter the workforce with robust practical skills.
• Performance and reputation: Duquesne is consistently recognized as a top-tier pharmacy school. Notably, it is ranked the #1 Catholic School of Pharmacy in the nation by U.S. News & World Report duq.edu. The program boasts strong student outcomes, such as a recent NAPLEX first-time pass rate of 86.0%, which stands above the national average of 77.5% duq.edu. Duquesne is also known for its research contributions – it ranks #3 in Pennsylvania for NIH-funded research among pharmacy schools duq.edu, reflecting significant faculty scholarship and opportunities for student research involvement. These indicators speak to the quality of education and preparation students receive.
• Specialization and enrichment: Students have the option to customize their Pharm.D. education through various concentrations and certifications. Duquesne offers six elective concentrations (with corresponding certificate programs) in areas such as diabetes care, medication therapy management, substance use disorder, pharmacogenomics, health care leadership, and more duq.edu. These allow students to gain additional expertise in niche fields alongside the core Pharm.D. curriculum. Outside the classroom, there are over 18 pharmacy student organizations and chapters at Duquesne duq.edu – including groups focused on pediatrics, oncology, psychiatric pharmacy, addiction recovery, and others. This vibrant co-curricular environment gives students avenues to develop leadership skills, network professionally, and explore special interests in pharmacy.
• Service and global engagement: Consistent with its mission, the program integrates community service and offers global health experiences. All students complete service-learning projects and have opportunities to volunteer in the Pittsburgh community through health fairs and the on-campus Center for Pharmacy Care (which provides wellness clinics, immunizations, and disease screenings) duq.edu. The School of Pharmacy also encourages a global perspective on healthcare – for example, it organizes international pharmacy service trips. In recent years, Duquesne pharmacy students have traveled abroad (such as to Haiti) to provide care to underserved populations spirit.duq.edu. These experiences not only broaden students’ clinical exposure but also reinforce the school’s commitment to serving others.

These distinctive program features not only highlight Duquesne’s strengths but also provide great talking points during an interview. An informed candidate might, for instance, ask the interviewers about the availability of certain certificate concentrations or how the online students are integrated with on-campus learning. Showing interest in the school’s global outreach programs or research opportunities (given the high NIH funding) can further demonstrate that you have done your homework and are genuinely enthusiastic about what Duquesne has to offer.

• Pharmacist provider status in Pennsylvania: A landmark policy change took effect in 2024 that grants pharmacists in PA formal “provider status.” This means pharmacists can enroll as recognized providers and receive reimbursement for clinical services (within their scope) on par with other healthcare practitioners perfectingpeds.com. This development is highly relevant to Duquesne’s context – it empowers future pharmacists to practice at the top of their license and is a point of pride and discussion in the local professional community.
• Opioid crisis and harm reduction: Pennsylvania, like the rest of the country, continues to battle the opioid epidemic. Pharmacists have been on the front lines of harm reduction efforts. Notably, since 2015 the state has had a standing order that allows pharmacists to dispense naloxone (the opioid overdose antidote) without individual prescriptions papharmacists.com. Awareness of policies like the naloxone standing order, prescription drug monitoring programs, and limits on opioid dispensing is important, as these often come up in discussions about pharmacists’ roles in public health.
• Drug pricing and access to medications: High drug costs and affordability are national concerns that can be pertinent in an interview conversation. For example, the controversy over the EpiPen – produced by Mylan, the namesake of Duquesne’s pharmacy school – highlighted issues of drug pricing and patient access time.com. A well-prepared candidate might be ready to discuss how pharmacists can assist with medication cost management or advocacy for more transparent pricing, as these are ongoing policy debates in healthcare.
• Expanded pharmacist services (immunizations and testing): Pharmacists’ scope of practice has been expanding, especially in preventive care. In all 50 states, pharmacists now routinely provide immunizations (like flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines), and recent emergency provisions have even enabled them to vaccinate younger age groups and conduct point-of-care testing. Duquesne’s own pharmacy programs reflect this trend – the campus Pharmacy Care Center runs immunization clinics and health screenings duq.edu. Being conversant about how policy changes (e.g. emergency pandemic authorizations or state law updates) have enhanced pharmacists’ public health role will be advantageous.
• Collaborative practice and healthcare teams: Both Pennsylvania and the broader U.S. are seeing movement toward more integrated healthcare teams. Collaborative practice agreements in PA allow pharmacists to manage drug therapy under protocol with physicians, and there are discussions to further expand pharmacists’ prescriptive authority for certain medications (like hormonal contraceptives or tobacco cessation aids) in various states. Such policies underscore an important theme: pharmacists are increasingly recognized as critical contributors to patient care. Understanding the push for provider status at the federal level and the value of interdisciplinary collaboration shows awareness of the evolving pharmacy landscape.

• Community service and altruism: A demonstrated commitment to serving others is highly valued. Duquesne’s mission centers on improving patient and community health duq.edu, so applicants who have volunteer experience, involvement in healthcare outreach, or other service activities can stand out as mission-driven future pharmacists.
• Leadership and initiative: The school seeks students who show leadership potential – for example, serving as a club officer, team captain, or project organizer. Duquesne’s vision is to graduate pharmacy leaders and advocates duq.edu, so evidencing that you take initiative and can guide others (even in small ways) aligns with what the admissions committee is looking for.
• Teamwork and communication skills: Given the collaborative nature of pharmacy, being able to work well in a team is essential. Duquesne explicitly assesses this via group interview activities, where applicants must communicate and problem-solve with peers duq.edu. Experiences that highlight your ability to collaborate – such as group projects, team sports, or work in customer service – will support your application.
• Research and innovation experience: While not a requirement, having exposure to research or other intellectual pursuits can be a plus. Duquesne is a research-active institution (with significant NIH funding) duq.edu, and a student who has participated in a science fair, lab work, or any innovative project may be seen as someone who can contribute to the scholarly environment. At minimum, curiosity and problem-solving skills are traits the school appreciates.
• Ethics and professionalism: Pharmacy is a profession that demands high ethical standards, and Duquesne looks for evidence of integrity and professionalism in its applicants. In fact, one of the interview exercises has involved group discussion of a pharmacist code of conduct studentdoctor.net, underlining the importance of moral reasoning. An applicant’s history (no conduct code violations, responsible behavior in jobs or academics) and their ability to articulate ethical principles are taken into account.

Duquesne’s Pharm.D. curriculum is designed in accordance with the key competency frameworks that guide pharmacy education nationwide. The program has a long-standing commitment to outcomes-based learning – as early as the 1970s, Duquesne implemented a competency-driven, outcomes-oriented curriculum balancing pharmaceutical science with clinical training duq.edu. Today, the school’s educational outcomes are aligned with the CAPE Outcomes (Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education) and other industry standards. The CAPE framework provides a structured set of domains and abilities that pharmacy graduates should achieve – from patient care and medication management to communication, professionalism, and leadership pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Duquesne ensures that its graduates build these competencies throughout the coursework and experiential training. Furthermore, the curriculum incorporates the principles of the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP). This is a standardized patient-centered care model endorsed by national pharmacy organizations (initially introduced by JCPP in 2014 and updated in 2025) to ensure consistent, high-quality care delivery by pharmacists jcpp.net. By teaching students the PPCP (collect, assess, plan, implement, follow-up), Duquesne prepares them to systematically approach patient care in any practice setting. As an ACPE-accredited program, the Mylan School of Pharmacy meets all Accreditation Standards for Pharm.D. education, which encompass the expectation that graduates are “practice-ready and team-ready.” In sum, Duquesne’s program not only covers the required scientific knowledge but also deliberately trains students in the competencies and decision-making processes they will need as future pharmacists.

• Motivation for pharmacy (and "Why Duquesne?"): Interviewers commonly ask about your reasons for pursuing a career in pharmacy studentdoctor.net. You should be prepared to discuss what inspired you to become a pharmacist and why you believe Duquesne’s program is a good fit for your goals. This is your chance to convey passion for the field and to reference specific aspects of Duquesne’s program that appeal to you.
• Personal background and experiences: Expect questions about your background, significant life experiences, or anything unique on your application studentdoctor.net. For example, you might be invited to talk about a meaningful extracurricular activity, a challenging work experience, or an international trip (one applicant noted being asked about time spent in South Africa studentdoctor.net). Interviewers want to get to know you beyond academics – they are gauging what perspectives and diversity of experience you would bring to the class.
• Ethical or scenario-based questions: It’s common to face prompts that assess your judgment and ethics. Duquesne has used group scenarios like discussing the proper code of conduct for pharmacists as an interview exercise studentdoctor.net. Individually, you might be asked what you would do in a morally challenging situation (for instance, how you would handle discovering a classmate cheating, or a patient refusing important medication). These questions aren’t about getting a “right” answer, but rather about seeing your thought process, adherence to professional values, and problem-solving approach.
• Views on the profession and healthcare: Be prepared for questions that explore your understanding of pharmacy and healthcare issues. Interviewers might ask, “What is one thing you would change about the pharmacy profession?” or your thoughts on a current healthcare trend studentdoctor.net. This is an opportunity to demonstrate awareness of the field – you could talk about topics like pharmacy access to care, the role of pharmacists in public health, or how technology is affecting pharmacy. Showing that you stay informed and have thoughtful opinions indicates maturity and genuine interest in the profession.

• Summer 2025 – Applications Open: The application cycle begins in mid-summer. For transfer and graduate-entry applicants, Duquesne’s rolling admissions cycle opens August 1, 2025 duq.edu. High school seniors seeking direct entry can start applying around this time as well (Duquesne accepts its own application and the Common Application). It’s advantageous to apply early, as interview invitations are extended on a rolling basis once applications are reviewed.
• Fall 2025 – Early Deadline and Interviews: November 15, 2025 is the Early Action deadline for high school applicants to the Pharm.D. program duq.edu. Candidates who apply by this date receive priority review (for Physician Assistant studies at Duquesne this date is mandatory, but for pharmacy it signals early consideration). Through the fall and early winter, the admissions committee will continue reviewing applications and scheduling interviews, which may occur virtually or in-person. If you’re aiming for scholarships or just to get an admissions decision sooner, meeting the early deadline is beneficial.
• January 15, 2026 – Final deadline for freshmen: January 15, 2026 is the Regular Decision application deadline for high school (first-year) applicants to the direct-entry Pharm.D. program duq.edu. Applications submitted by this date will be considered for Fall 2026 entry. After the deadline, the undergraduate admissions team and pharmacy school will evaluate the remaining applications and invite students for interviews (typically in late winter or early spring).
• Spring 2026 – Rolling admissions for transfers: For transfer applicants (those entering the professional phase), admissions continue on a rolling basis through the spring semester. There is no single cut-off date in early 2026 for these applicants; however, Duquesne historically closes admissions by early summer. In previous cycles, a final deadline around June 1 has been observed for transfer or direct Pharm.D. applications pharmacyschoolfinder.org. It’s recommended that transfer applicants apply well before this to secure an interview slot while seats are still available.
• May 1, 2026 – Decision and deposit deadline: Admitted students coming from high school are generally required to confirm their enrollment by May 1, 2026 duq.edu (National College Decision Day) by submitting an enrollment deposit. This guarantees their seat in the incoming class. Transfer and Pharm.D. (graduate) admits usually have their own deposit deadlines noted in acceptance letters (often within a few weeks of admission offers). Keeping track of these dates is crucial to ensure you don’t inadvertently forfeit your place.
• August 2026 – Program start: The Pharm.D. program for the 2025–2026 admissions cycle will commence in August 2026 with orientation and the start of fall classes duq.edu. All admitted students (whether direct from high school or transfers) join together as the new first-year professional cohort. Duquesne’s program operates on a fall semester start and runs year-round (fall, spring, summer terms for four years) as a cohort-based professional curriculum duq.edu.

In summary, preparing for a Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy interview involves a combination of understanding the process and knowing your fit with the program. By familiarizing yourself with the interview format (including the unique group and MMI components), you won’t be caught off-guard by the style of questions or activities. Equally important is reflecting on Duquesne’s mission of advancing health outcomes through service and excellence duq.edu – think about how your own experiences align with those values, as this will likely resonate in your responses. Knowledge of the program’s offerings and current pharmacy issues will enable you to engage in thoughtful discussion, demonstrating to the interviewers that you are serious about the profession. Finally, being aware of what qualities the school looks for in its students (and having examples from your life to illustrate those) will help you present a well-rounded picture of yourself. With thorough preparation on these fronts, you can approach the interview with confidence, ready to show that you would be a great addition to Duquesne’s pharmacy community.