MUSC Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Pharmacy's interview process and program expectations reflect its mission-driven approach to pharmacy education. Applicants can expect a multiple mini-interview (MMI) format that aligns with the school's values of compassion, collaboration, respect, integrity, and innovation. The Pharm.D. program offers distinctive opportunities – from dual-degree options to a new state-of-the-art facility – which not only enhance the student experience but also provide great talking points during interviews. Being aware of current healthcare policy issues in South Carolina and beyond is also important, as interview discussions may touch on the evolving role of pharmacists in patient care. Overall, MUSC takes a holistic view of applicants, valuing leadership, service, research experience, and other qualities alongside academic achievement. This guide synthesizes key information about the interview format, the school's mission and values, program highlights, relevant policy topics, selection criteria, common interview question themes, and critical application timelines for the 2025-2026 cycle.

MUSC conducts its pharmacy admissions interviews using a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, meaning candidates rotate through a series of short one-on-one interviews centered on scenarios. In each MMI station, an interviewer (often a faculty member) presents a prompt or ethical scenario for the applicant to read and discuss, allowing assessment of the candidate's problem-solving, communication, and empathy in a conversational setting. The interview day typically includes an introductory presentation and a tour: in-person interview days feature a campus tour led by students, while virtual interview days offer a similar agenda minus the on-site tour (with an option to visit campus later). Notably, in-person interviews are only offered during the fall, so applying early is advised if you prefer to interview on campus. The interviewers may or may not have prior access to an applicant's file depending on the station – historically, some students experienced one open-file interview (where the interviewer had reviewed their application) and one closed-file session focused only on spontaneous responses. However, under the current MMI approach, most stations are essentially closed-file scenario discussions, creating a level playing field where each candidate is evaluated on the spot through their responses rather than their application details. The overall tone of MUSC's interviews is often described as friendly and low-pressure; past candidates noted the process felt informal and conversational despite the structured MMI format. Being invited to interview is a strong positive indicator – for example, in one recent cycle MUSC interviewed 184 applicants and admitted 75 of them (around 40% of those interviewed) – so the interview is a significant opportunity to secure a spot in the program.

The mission of the MUSC College of Pharmacy is to lead pharmacy education, scientific discovery, and patient care in South Carolina and globally. This mission highlights the school's commitment not only to training pharmacists for excellent patient care locally, but also to advancing research and innovation with a wider impact. In harmony with its mission, the College embodies a set of core values that define its culture and expectations: Compassion, Collaboration, Respect, Integrity, and Innovation. These values signal the importance of empathy, teamwork, ethical behavior, and forward-thinking in the program. Interviewees should be mindful that the admissions committee and faculty are looking for individuals who resonate with these principles. While interview questions may not explicitly ask "How do you uphold integrity?" or "Define innovation," candidates will benefit from demonstrating these values through their personal examples – for instance, discussing a time they showed compassion in patient care or how they collaborated effectively on a team project. Overall, understanding MUSC's mission and values provides a useful context for framing one's answers and showing alignment with the school's philosophy.

MUSC's Pharm.D. program combines a rich history with modern innovation. Founded in 1881, it was among the first programs to integrate clinical training into pharmacy education. Today the college is ranked in the top 25% of pharmacy schools nationally and enrolls roughly 280 students in the Pharm.D. program at any given time (around 60–70 students per entering class). The curriculum spans four years of professional study (after at least two years of prerequisites) and is designed to produce practice-ready pharmacists as well as future leaders in the field. MUSC pharmacy students benefit from learning within an academic health sciences center, meaning they have close proximity to hospitals and interdisciplinary healthcare teams. The College of Pharmacy offers several dual and concurrent degree programs in collaboration with other institutions: students can pursue combinations like Pharm.D./Ph.D., Pharm.D./MBA, or Pharm.D./M.S. in Health Informatics to augment their education. These options allow motivated students to develop specialized expertise or leadership skills alongside their pharmacy training. Another distinctive feature is MUSC's connection to postgraduate training: the college is closely affiliated with one of the largest and most respected pharmacy residency programs in the country, giving students exposure to a culture of advanced clinical practice and mentoring resources if they aim for residencies. In 2023, the College moved into a brand-new pharmacy building in the heart of campus. This state-of-the-art facility provides modern classrooms, laboratories, and collaboration spaces, underscoring MUSC's commitment to cutting-edge education and technology. All of these program attributes – strong rankings, small class size, dual-degree pathways, a new facility, and robust clinical affiliations – speak to a program that values innovation, comprehensive training, and student growth. They also serve as excellent talking points for applicants during interviews, demonstrating that one has researched the program thoroughly.

Potential Questions to Ask at the Interview

• What opportunities do Pharm.D. students have to engage in research or scholarly projects with faculty, given the program's emphasis on scientific discovery?
• I saw that MUSC offers dual degrees like the Pharm.D./MBA and Pharm.D./MS in Health Informatics – could you tell me how these programs are integrated and what benefits they offer to students?
• MUSC recently moved into a new pharmacy building (in 2023). How has this state-of-the-art facility impacted the learning environment and resources available to students?
• How do pharmacy students at MUSC interact with the broader MUSC Health system during their training (for example, through clinical rotations or interprofessional simulations)?
• MUSC is affiliated with a large pharmacy residency program. What kind of support or advising does the College provide for students interested in pursuing residencies after graduation?
• Interprofessional education seems to be a focus at MUSC. In what ways do Pharm.D. students collaborate with medical, nursing, or other health profession students during the program?

South Carolina and Regional Issues

Staying informed about healthcare policy trends is important for pharmacy school interviews, as questions about the profession's future or challenges may arise. In South Carolina, recent policies have expanded the role of pharmacists in improving public health. For instance, the state enacted a Pharmacy Access Act in 2022 that allows pharmacists to dispense certain hormonal contraceptives (such as birth control) under a standing order protocol. This law means patients can obtain contraceptives directly from a pharmacist without an individual physician prescription, reflecting a trend to leverage pharmacists' accessibility for preventive care. South Carolina has also taken measures to combat the opioid epidemic – one example is increasing access to naloxone (the opioid overdose antidote) in the community and even in schools, so that trained personnel can quickly respond to overdoses. These efforts indicate that the state views pharmacists as key players in addressing urgent public health issues, from family planning to overdose prevention. Additionally, like many states in the Southeast, South Carolina faces rural health care shortages and a high burden of chronic diseases (such as diabetes and hypertension). In these underserved areas, community pharmacists often serve on the front lines, providing medication management, counseling, and basic health services where few other providers are available. An understanding of these local challenges – and how pharmacists can help mitigate them – will enable an applicant to discuss the pharmacist's role in South Carolina's healthcare system insightfully if prompted.

National Pharmacy Policy Trends

On a national level, several major policy topics are shaping the future of pharmacy practice, and being conversant with them can demonstrate an applicant's engagement with the profession. One prominent issue is the push for "provider status" for pharmacists under federal law. Pharmacy organizations and advocates have long been urging Congress to formally recognize pharmacists as healthcare providers in Medicare and other programs, which would allow reimbursement for clinical services pharmacists provide (such as patient consultations, chronic disease management, or vaccinations). Achieving provider status is seen as crucial for elevating pharmacists' role in team-based care and improving patient access to pharmacist-led services. Another significant topic is the high cost of medications and the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the drug supply chain. There is a growing nationwide effort to increase transparency in drug pricing and regulate PBM practices that may drive up costs or squeeze pharmacy revenues. For example, states like Alabama have passed laws to curb certain PBM practices – mandating fair reimbursement rates to pharmacies and banning "spread pricing" tactics – in order to support community pharmacies and reduce medication costs for patients. At the federal level, policymakers are also debating strategies to lower prescription drug prices and ensure patients can afford their therapies. Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of pharmacists in public health (through immunization drives and testing), which has led to permanent expansions of pharmacists' scope in many states (for instance, authority to administer a broader range of vaccines). All these trends – expanding pharmacists' scope of practice, pursuing provider status, and addressing drug affordability – are pertinent to the pharmacy field. In an interview, discussing such issues when appropriate (say, if asked about future challenges in pharmacy or health policy) can demonstrate awareness of the broader context in which MUSC pharmacy graduates will practice.

MUSC's admissions process is holistic, meaning the College of Pharmacy evaluates the whole applicant rather than just GPA or test scores. Beyond meeting the academic prerequisites (60 credit hours of required coursework and a solid academic record), successful applicants typically excel in several non-academic dimensions. The admissions committee looks for evidence of initiative, experience, and leadership in the field of pharmacy. For example, pharmacy exposure – such as working as a pharmacy technician, volunteering in a clinic or hospital pharmacy, or shadowing pharmacists – is weighed in the application review. This experience shows that a candidate understands the profession's day-to-day realities and has confirmed their interest through action. Research experience is another valued component; involvement in research (whether in a lab, through a school project, or via publications) indicates curiosity and a commitment to advancing knowledge, aligning well with MUSC's scientific discovery mission. The college also considers an applicant's extracurricular activities and community service involvement. Significant participation in clubs, healthcare outreach, volunteer work (for instance, through organizations like Habitat for Humanity or health fairs), or other service demonstrates well-roundedness and a service-oriented mindset. Similarly, any leadership experience – holding an office in a student organization, leading a team at work, or organizing an initiative – is viewed positively. Leadership roles suggest strong communication skills and the ability to influence and collaborate with others, traits useful both in pharmacy school and practice. In addition to these areas, MUSC requires three letters of recommendation and evaluates a written personal statement or essay, which together speak to an applicant's professionalism, character, and communication abilities. During interviews, the faculty will likely explore these non-academic attributes by asking about one's experiences and observing one's interpersonal skills. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their own history of service, leadership, teamwork, and what they've learned from practical exposure to pharmacy, as these factors are integral to MUSC's selection criteria.

The MUSC College of Pharmacy aligns its program with several competency frameworks that guide pharmacy education nationally. First and foremost, the program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), which means it adheres to the ACPE Standards that define core outcomes for Pharm.D. graduates. These standards ensure that upon graduation, students are competent in areas such as patient care, medication therapy management, communication, professionalism, and continuous self-improvement. MUSC's curriculum is built to meet these outcomes, drawing from the Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education (CAPE) outcomes published by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. The CAPE educational outcomes (and related NAPLEX competency statements) emphasize domains like foundational knowledge, practical skills, problem-solving, ethics, and patient-centric care – competencies that pharmacy students must develop. In practice, students learn to follow the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process (PPCP), a five-step framework (Collect, Assess, Plan, Implement, Follow-up) used nationally to ensure consistent, high-quality care. Another framework important to MUSC is the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) core competencies, given the university's extensive interprofessional environment. MUSC is known for its interprofessional training focus – it even has a flagship Interprofessional Education Fellowship program to recognize exemplary students. Pharm.D. students train alongside medical, nursing, dentistry, and other health profession students in team-based activities, reflecting IPEC competencies such as interprofessional communication, roles/responsibilities, teamwork, and values/ethics for collaborative practice. Overall, these frameworks (ACPE standards/CAPE outcomes, PPCP, and IPEC competencies) shape the learning objectives of the Pharm.D. program. Understanding them can be useful for interviewees: the interview may indirectly touch on these areas by probing how candidates handle ethical dilemmas (professionalism), work in teams (collaboration), or approach problem-solving in clinical scenarios (patient care process). Being versed in the language of competencies isn't required for the interview, but showing strengths in these fundamental areas – communication, ethical reasoning, teamwork, and knowledge of the pharmacist's role – will align with the program's expectations.

Although specific interview questions at MUSC can vary year to year, common themes have emerged from past candidates' feedback. Broadly, many questions aim to assess an applicant's motivations for a career in pharmacy, their fit with MUSC's program, and their personal qualities or experiences. For example, students have frequently been asked about their career goals and plans, such as "Where do you want to work once you get your Pharm.D.?". This type of question gauges whether the applicant has thought about the kind of pharmacy setting or role they aspire to (hospital, community, industry, etc.) and how committed they are to that path. Another common theme is self-reflection on one's strengths and traits – interviewers may inquire, "What qualities do you have that will make you a good pharmacist?", prompting the candidate to highlight characteristics or skills (for instance, attention to detail, empathy, or teamwork) with concrete examples. Applicants have also been asked to discuss personal achievements or challenges, evidenced by a question like "What personal achievement are you the most proud of?". Such questions let you share a story that illustrates perseverance, leadership, or growth. A very important theme is the "Why" question – why pharmacy and why MUSC. Interviewers commonly ask, "Why do you want to go to MUSC?" or "Why did you choose pharmacy as a career?". In responding, successful candidates convey specific reasons for their interest in MUSC's program (such as unique opportunities or a connection to the school's values) and genuine passion for the profession. If an applicant is a career-changer or has a non-traditional background, they might be asked about that as well (one past candidate reported being asked why they wanted to leave their previous profession for pharmacy). Finally, given the MMI format, ethical or scenario-based questions are to be expected. While past interviewees often don't share the exact MMI scenarios (due to confidentiality), MUSC's MMI could involve, for instance, a hypothetical case about a patient dilemma or a teamwork situation. Thematically, these assess problem-solving, ethics, and communication. In summary, MUSC's interview questions tend to explore your motivations, understanding of the profession, personal attributes, and how you react when faced with situations requiring judgment. Recognizing these themes, you should reflect on your relevant experiences – think of times when you demonstrated the qualities they seek – so that you're ready to discuss them if prompted.

Staying on top of application deadlines and interview timing is crucial. Below is an overview of the key dates and milestones for the 2025–2026 admissions cycle into MUSC's Pharm.D. program (for matriculation in Fall 2026):

• October 1, 2025 – Priority Application Deadline: This is the priority deadline to submit your PharmCAS application and MUSC supplemental application. Candidates who apply by October 1 receive earliest consideration and are eligible for certain admission scholarships. (MUSC encourages strong applicants to apply early.)
• September 2025 – May 2026 – Interview Season: Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis from early fall 2025 through late spring 2026 as applications are reviewed. In-person interview dates are typically held in the fall semester (Sept–Nov) while later interviews may be virtual. It's advantageous to apply early if you prefer an on-campus interview experience, since fall interview slots include a campus tour.
• May 1, 2026 – Final Application Deadline: This is the last date by which MUSC must receive your completed PharmCAS application and all required materials (including the supplemental application) for Fall 2026 entry. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered, so be sure to meet this deadline if you haven't applied by then.
• Admission Offers and Seat Deposit: After interviewing, admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Accepted applicants are notified via phone call and email – often within a few weeks of their interview. Along with an acceptance offer, MUSC requires a $485 non-refundable seat confirmation fee to secure your place in the class. (This deposit is usually applied toward your tuition and indicates your commitment to enroll.)
• August 2026 – Classes Begin: The Pharm.D. program for admitted students will start in early August 2026 (the beginning of the fall semester). Before matriculating, students must have completed all prerequisite coursework successfully and must submit final official transcripts showing completion of those prerequisites. Orientation activities often occur a few days to a week before classes start.

In summary, thorough preparation for the MUSC College of Pharmacy interview involves understanding the format and expectations and reflecting on how your own experiences align with the program. The interview will use an MMI approach to evaluate not only your knowledge but also your communication, ethical reasoning, and fit with the school's values and mission. By familiarizing yourself with MUSC's mission of leadership in education, research, and patient care, and by learning about the program's unique features (and even formulating thoughtful questions about them), you can show genuine interest in the school. It's also important to stay aware of current pharmacy issues – both local and national – as context for discussing the profession's challenges and opportunities. Finally, remember that MUSC evaluates applicants holistically: be ready to highlight your leadership, service, and hands-on experiences in pharmacy, as these qualities are just as crucial as academic achievements. Armed with knowledge of the timelines and a clear sense of what the school values, you can approach your interview with confidence and a well-rounded perspective.