North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy MMI Practice Questions

What do you know about NDSU's Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences and rotation opportunities?

Should North Dakota require telepharmacy sites to maintain physical pharmacist visits monthly given the state's vast distances and harsh winter weather conditions that can make travel dangerous?

Tell me about yourself.

Why pharmacy?

Why North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy?

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

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?

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

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

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?

What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?

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?

How will you handle burnout and being overwhelmed?

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 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?

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

What is your biggest fear?

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?

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?

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?

Describe a time working with someone you did not like.

How should North Dakota pharmacists balance their professional obligations when serving Native American communities that experience significantly higher rates of diabetes complications and medication-related mortality?

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?

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

How does living and studying in Fargo fit with your personal and professional plans?

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

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?

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

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

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

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?

What is an ethical dilemma you have faced?

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.

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.

How do you study?

With many North Dakota rural pharmacies closing due to economic pressures, leaving 630 communities nationwide without pharmacy access, discuss the ethical responsibilities of pharmacy chains to maintain unprofitable rural locations.

What is the biggest problem in healthcare today?

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

What would be the worst superpower to have?

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

North Dakota has implemented extensive naloxone distribution through its ONE Program, placing over 250 ONEboxes containing life-saving overdose reversal medication in public locations statewide. The program targets communities, workplaces, and gathering places where overdoses may occur, essentially making pharmacists partners in a public health intervention. Examine the ethical implications of pharmacists' expanding role from traditional dispensing to active participation in harm reduction and overdose prevention programs, particularly regarding professional liability and the duty to serve versus potential legal risks.

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

How would you engage with NDSU's student organizations and professional development opportunities?

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.

What do you think are important qualities for a pharmacist?

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?

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

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?

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

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

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

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

What do you think about stem cell research?

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?

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?

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

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

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

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?

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.

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

How does NDSU's mission of improving healthcare in underserved communities resonate with your values?

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

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?

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

Why do you want to go to school in Fargo?

What attracts you specifically to NDSU's PharmD program over other pharmacy schools?

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

How many golf balls fit in an airplane?

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?

Who is your role model?

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.

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

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

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

If you could choose one superpower what would it be?

Tell me about a time you exhibited leadership.

Is healthcare a right or a privilege?

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?

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?

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

What makes you special?

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

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

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?

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?

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

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?

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?

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

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

What draws you to NDSU's problem-based learning approach in pharmacy education?

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?

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

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

What are your strengths?

What is your favorite movie?

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?

How would you fix the healthcare system?

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?

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

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.

What controversial healthcare topic are you passionate about?

What would you do if you caught a classmate cheating?

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

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.

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?

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

How does NDSU's emphasis on rural pharmacy practice align with your career goals?

How do you handle stress?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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

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

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

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?

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

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?

Tell me about your lowest grade.

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

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

North Dakota received approximately $60 million over 18 years from national opioid settlements to address the opioid crisis, with grants supporting the establishment of Opioid Treatment Program Medication Units in rural community pharmacies. These programs require pharmacists to supervise and dispense controlled substances like buprenorphine for addiction treatment in areas with limited medical resources. Evaluate the policy implications of integrating community pharmacies into opioid addiction treatment networks, considering both the expanded access benefits and the potential risks of having controlled substance treatment programs in retail settings.

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?

How do you relate to our mission?

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?

What do you do for fun?

Can compassion be taught?

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.

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?

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 might the transition to pharmacy school affect you.

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?

How would you contribute to the collaborative learning environment that NDSU promotes?

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

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

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

Should North Dakota modify its medication disposal programs to account for the cultural and traditional medicine practices of Native American communities while still addressing opioid safety concerns?

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

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

What are your weaknesses?

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

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

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.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

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

Teach me something.

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

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?

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?

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

How should North Dakota address the medication access challenges created by rapid population growth in Bakken oil communities that outpaced pharmacy infrastructure development?

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?

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?

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

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

What is one of your strengths in a leadership role?

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

What community service activities have you done?

What was your most challenging experience?

What are North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy's values?

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

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

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

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

Should North Dakota expand pharmacist prescribing authority for routine conditions to address physician shortages in rural areas, following Idaho's model of treating low-risk conditions?

What aspects of NDSU's integrated curriculum structure appeal to your learning preferences?

What would you do if a patient refused treatment?

Should healthcare professionals be required to receive certain vaccinations?

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.

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 is your biggest regret?

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

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

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

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

What interests you about NDSU's focus on preparing pharmacists for North Dakota's healthcare needs?

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

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

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.

North Dakota's prescription drug monitoring program tracks controlled substances to prevent diversion and doctor shopping, which is particularly important given the state's rural geography that can make oversight challenging. However, the system also creates additional documentation burdens for pharmacists serving remote communities where they may be the only healthcare professional readily available to patients. Consider the ethical balance between preventing prescription drug abuse and maintaining efficient pharmaceutical care in isolated areas where patients have few alternatives for medication access.

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

What is your learning style?

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

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?

North Dakota's pioneering telepharmacy program allows remote communities to maintain pharmacy services through video supervision, with 81 pharmacies serving 38 counties and providing access to approximately 80,000 patients who might otherwise lack pharmaceutical care. However, the state's Board of Pharmacy prohibits telepharmacy sites from opening in areas with existing community pharmacies to prevent unfair competition. Consider the ethical tension between expanding access to pharmaceutical care in underserved areas and protecting existing pharmacists' livelihoods. How should the profession balance innovation in service delivery with fair competition principles?

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?

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

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?

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?

Tell me about a time you failed.