Touro CA COP Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

Touro University California College of Pharmacy (COP) offers a distinctive PharmD program and a holistic, multi-faceted interview process. The interviews are conducted by a panel and include written and calculation exercises, reflecting the school’s emphasis on strong communication and critical-thinking skills tu.edu tu.edu. The college’s mission "To Serve. To Lead. To Teach." underpins its values, focusing on producing competent, caring pharmacists who are leaders in service tu.edu tu.edu. The program itself is an accelerated three-year curriculum with integrated coursework and extensive clinical rotations, providing unique learning experiences and early practical exposure tu.edu tu.edu. In this guide, we discuss the interview format, the institution’s mission and values, key program features, relevant policy issues in pharmacy, the non-academic qualities Touro looks for, competency frameworks tied to the curriculum, common themes in past interview questions, and the timeline for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle.

The Touro California COP interview typically involves a panel interview in which one candidate meets with multiple interviewers at once tu.edu. In many cases there are about three interviewers (often including faculty and sometimes a student) conducting the interview, and sessions often last around an hour studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. Notably, the school uses an open-file format – interviewers have access to the applicant’s file and background, allowing them to ask in-depth questions about the candidate’s experiences studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. While each applicant ultimately interviews one-on-one with the panel, some portions of the process may involve group settings where multiple candidates interact or answer questions together tu.edu forums.studentdoctor.net. This format creates a conversational environment and tests how applicants perform both individually and alongside others.

During the panel interview, the committee evaluates a range of communication skills and personal qualities. They explicitly look for an applicant’s ability to articulate ideas clearly, listen actively, think critically, and show sensitivity to others tu.edu. Being aware of current events in pharmacy is also important – candidates are expected to discuss or understand issues facing the profession tu.edu. In addition to the Q&A, Touro’s interview day includes a 45-minute written essay on an assigned reading passage and a short calculations test (five math questions) for all candidates tu.edu tu.edu. These extra components allow the school to assess written communication, comprehension, and quantitative skills under time constraints, complementing the face-to-face interview. The overall atmosphere is typically professional but friendly; past interviewees have described the experience as moderately stressful yet fair and welcomed the opportunity to interact with faculty and students.

Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis from the fall through late spring, roughly September to May of the admissions cycle tu.edu. Importantly, Touro does not interview candidates solely for a waitlist – if you are interviewing, it means seats in the class are still available tu.edu. The Admissions Committee meets weekly to deliberate and makes recommendations to the Dean, so applicants typically hear back within a couple of weeks after their interview regarding acceptance, denial, or waitlist status tu.edu. Although an official post-interview acceptance rate isn’t published, the program’s overall selectivity (around a 14% acceptance rate from the total applicant pool) indicates that being invited to interview confers a significant opportunity pharmacyschoolfinder.org pharmacyschoolfinder.org. In other words, once at the interview stage, a well-prepared candidate has a good chance of admission, provided they demonstrate the qualities Touro is seeking.

Touro University California’s College of Pharmacy is guided by the mission "To Serve. To Lead. To Teach." – a concise motto that encapsulates its focus on service, leadership, and education tu.edu. The program views pharmacy education as a means to improve society and individual lives, emphasizing social justice and the development of healthcare leaders tu.edu tu.edu. This ethos is reflected in the school’s core values and goals, which highlight several key commitments:

• Benefiting society through pharmacy education, research, scholarship, and service tu.edu
• Preparing students to become competent, caring, and ethical pharmacists tu.edu
• Developing students and faculty to be leaders and role models in a variety of professional settings tu.edu
• Promoting life-long learning in a culture of collegiality, respect, and collaboration tu.edu

Additionally, the college strives to graduate pharmacists who provide excellent patient care and to foster an environment that values critical thinking and diversity tu.edu. These mission-driven values are not just philosophical – they influence admissions and training. For example, the emphasis on serving others and leading in the profession suggests that interviewers will be attentive to an applicant’s altruism, ethical outlook, and leadership potential. An understanding of Touro’s mission can help candidates frame their own experiences and goals in alignment with the school’s values, though it’s important to convey this sincerely. Showing that you resonate with the commitment to service, leadership, and teaching – whether through past community work, mentoring, or passion for patient care – will reinforce that you are a good fit for the Touro community.

The Touro California PharmD program is an accelerated three-year curriculum, which is unique compared to the traditional four-year PharmD path tu.edu tu.edu. Students complete four semesters (two years) of intensive classroom instruction followed by one full year of advanced clinical rotations tu.edu. The integrated curriculum is organized by organ systems and delivered in a block format, so that pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, therapeutics, and related sciences for a given system (e.g., cardiovascular, endocrine) are learned together tu.edu. This integration helps students make connections across disciplines and apply knowledge more holistically. The program also includes built-in assessment and remediation opportunities to ensure everyone achieves competency in each subject area tu.edu. Throughout the didactic portion, Touro fosters a cooperative learning environment rather than a competitive one, encouraging students to work together and support each other’s success tu.edu.

A hallmark of the program is its extensive experiential education. Students complete 300 hours of introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs) during the curriculum, which provide early exposure to community and institutional pharmacy settings tu.edu. In the third year, students undertake seven six-week advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) rotations, spanning diverse areas of practice, to maximize hands-on training before graduation tu.edu tu.edu. These rotations often begin in the summer of the third year, allowing students to graduate within three calendar years. Touro’s location in the San Francisco Bay Area gives students access to a variety of clinical sites, from major medical centers to local community clinics. The college even boasts its own on-campus training facilities, such as the JV Long Pharmacy Practice Center, where students hone their dispensing and patient care skills in a realistic setting tu.edu.

The program places strong emphasis on community engagement and interprofessional learning. Pharmacy students collaborate with peers in Touro’s osteopathic medicine, nursing, physician assistant, and public health programs. For example, Touro COP students participate in a student-run free clinic and a Mobile Diabetes Education Center, working in teams to serve underserved populations tu.edu tu.edu. An Interprofessional Education (IPE) curriculum thread spans the PharmD program, culminating in joint projects like an interdisciplinary "Diabetes Week" case study alongside medical and nursing students tu.edu tu.edu. These experiences not only benefit the community but also prepare students to thrive in healthcare teams after graduation. The college’s focus on chronic disease management is further evident in its optional Advanced Practice Pharmacy (APP) certificate, a unique program concentrating on managing conditions like hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, depression, and anxiety tu.edu. This certificate aligns with California’s advanced practice pharmacist opportunities and gives students additional expertise in direct patient care.

When it comes to outcomes, Touro California’s graduates perform well and engage in post-graduate training. For the Class of 2024, the first-time NAPLEX pass rate was 82.3%, and about 20% of those graduates went on to pursue a residency or fellowship (with an 80% match rate among those seeking such positions) tu.edu. The on-time graduation rate that year was around 73%, reflecting the rigor of the accelerated program but also the support in place to help students succeed tu.edu. Class sizes are relatively intimate (approximately 80 students per cohort) pharmacyschoolfinder.org, which fosters close faculty mentorship and camaraderie among students. The student body is diverse in background – roughly 87% are California residents, with a notable proportion being first-generation college graduates or from underrepresented groups tu.edu tu.edu. This diversity enriches classroom discussions and group work, and it resonates with the school’s mission to serve various communities.

Given Touro’s distinctive program features, asking thoughtful questions during your interview can both demonstrate your genuine interest and help you gather information. Candidates might consider inquiring about how faculty support students through the accelerated 3-year curriculum or what resources are available for managing the intensive coursework and rotations. It’s also pertinent to ask about the outcomes of the program, such as NAPLEX preparation or the success of graduates in securing residencies and jobs, showing that you’re thinking about your future growth. Additionally, you could ask for more details on unique offerings – for example, “How do students get involved in the free clinic or the Mobile Diabetes unit, and what have they learned from those experiences?” or “Can you tell me more about the Advanced Practice Certificate and how it benefits students’ careers?” These kinds of questions not only provide you with deeper insight into Touro’s strengths, but they also signal to the interviewers that you have done your homework on what makes their program special.

Touro’s interviewers expect candidates to be aware of current events and policy issues in pharmacy, especially as they relate to practice in California and the broader U.S. tu.edu. One major topic is the expanding scope of practice for pharmacists. California has been at the forefront of granting pharmacists more direct patient care responsibilities – for instance, Senate Bill 493 established pharmacists as health care providers in the state and created the Advanced Practice Pharmacist (APh) designation pharmacy.ucsf.edu pharmacy.ucsf.edu. Under this and related laws, California pharmacists can independently furnish certain medications (like hormonal contraceptives, smoking cessation therapies, travel health medications) and administer vaccines without a physician prescription pharmacy.ucsf.edu pharmacy.ucsf.edu. They can also order and interpret lab tests and initiate or adjust drug therapy under collaborative protocols as APhs pharmacy.ucsf.edu. These developments tie directly into Touro’s curriculum – for example, the program’s chronic disease management certificate aligns with preparing students for advanced practice roles. On a national level, there is an ongoing push for federal provider status recognition of pharmacists (so Medicare can reimburse pharmacist-provided services). Being conversant in these trends – why they are happening and how they improve patient care – will demonstrate to interviewers that you understand the evolving role of the pharmacist.

Other relevant policy and public health topics include pharmacists’ involvement in addressing healthcare access and safety issues. Pharmacy professionals have taken on greater responsibility for public health interventions, a prominent example being their critical role in COVID-19 vaccination and testing efforts. In California (and many states), pharmacists also help combat the opioid crisis by furnishing naloxone to patients without a prescription and participating in prescription drug monitoring programs. The emergence of telepharmacy and changes in regulations during the pandemic (like emergency authorizations for pharmacists to provide expanded services) are also potential discussion points. Additionally, Touro’s program highlights the importance of health equity and teamwork in healthcare – reflecting nationwide efforts to create more patient-centered, collaborative care models tu.edu tu.edu. Interview questions may touch on topics such as how pharmacists can help alleviate primary care shortages pharmacy.ucsf.edu, improve medication adherence, or handle ethical dilemmas like drug affordability and access. It’s wise to be prepared with an understanding of these issues and even an opinion on them. Showing awareness of pharmacy law changes, healthcare policies, and current challenges indicates to the panel that you are not only keeping up with the profession but are also thinking about how you, as a future pharmacist, can contribute to solutions.

Like many professional programs, Touro California looks beyond academics to select well-rounded candidates who align with its mission. The admissions committee evaluates applicants on a variety of non-academic criteria that reflect personal attributes, experiences, and preparedness for a career in pharmacy tu.edu. According to the program’s admissions information, some key qualities and experiences are considered:

• Demonstrated leadership skills (e.g., holding leadership roles in clubs, organizations, or community service projects) tu.edu
• Exposure to and experience in pharmacy or healthcare (such as working as a pharmacy technician, volunteering in a hospital or clinic, or shadowing pharmacists) tu.edu
• Meaningful personal or professional achievements that showcase responsibility, perseverance, or contribution (for instance, significant volunteer work, research experience, or unique life challenges overcome) tu.edu
• Strong communication skills in all forms – verbal, non-verbal, and written – which are crucial for success as a pharmacist and are actively assessed during the admissions process tu.edu

The school explicitly notes that excellent communication is essential and will be evaluated throughout the interview and application (for example, how you interact in person and the quality of your written essay) tu.edu. If an applicant struggles with speaking, listening, or writing, Touro advises improving those skills prior to the interview tu.edu. Leadership and service activities are likewise important because they suggest the applicant has initiative and a commitment to helping others – traits that resonate with Touro’s values. Having direct pharmacy experience (even at an entry level) demonstrates that you understand the profession’s realities and confirms your genuine interest in pharmacy. In preparing for the interview, reflect on how your experiences illustrate these attributes. You may not be asked about each one outright, but throughout the day (including in interview answers, your essay, or casual conversations) there will be opportunities to convey your leadership, teamwork, empathy, and communication strengths. Touro’s holistic approach means that showing strength in these non-academic areas can strongly complement your academic record in the eyes of the admissions committee.

The PharmD curriculum at Touro California is designed around key competencies and outcomes that align with accreditation standards for pharmacy education. The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) tu.edu, which means it meets nationally recognized standards in areas such as patient care, pharmacy knowledge, communication, professionalism, and continuing development. In fact, Touro’s officially stated learning outcomes mirror many elements of the broader competency frameworks for pharmacists. For example, the College of Pharmacy’s goals include producing graduates who:

• Deliver pharmacist-provided patient care (including medication therapy management) effectively to improve patient health tu.edu
• Develop into leaders who advance the practice of pharmacy and contribute to society and the profession tu.edu
• Use informatics and technology to enhance pharmacy practice and improve healthcare outcomes tu.edu
• Embrace life-long learning and professional development (through involvement in organizations, research, and continuous education) tu.edu

These outcomes show that Touro’s program is not just about academic knowledge – it’s about building all the competencies needed for modern pharmacy practice, from clinical skills to leadership and innovation. The college also integrates the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) core competencies into its training tu.edu tu.edu. Students learn to work in interdisciplinary teams by mastering competencies in values/ethics for teamwork, understanding each profession’s roles, interprofessional communication, and effective team-based care tu.edu tu.edu. This means that as a Touro student you will be expected to collaborate with other healthcare professionals and understand how to provide patient-centered care as part of a team – a skill that is increasingly important in pharmacy practice. Additionally, the curriculum reinforces the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (the cycle of collect > assess > plan > implement > follow-up) by training students to systematically approach each patient’s medication needs, though this may not be explicitly labeled, it underpins how clinical content is taught. For an applicant preparing for an interview, understanding these frameworks can be useful. While you won’t need to recite standards, being aware that the school emphasizes patient care, teamwork, ethical practice, cultural competence, and continuous improvement can help you frame your responses. Interviewers may indirectly touch on these domains — for example, asking how you work in teams (reflecting IPEC teamwork skills) or how you stay current and plan to grow in your career (reflecting lifelong learning). Recognizing that Touro is training students to meet high professional standards can give you insight into what qualities they hope to see in candidates during the interview.

Over the years, applicants have reported a variety of question types in Touro California’s interviews. The questions tend to cover several themes, ensuring that the school gets a comprehensive picture of each candidate. Common themes (with examples) include:

• Motivations and “Why Touro?” – Expect questions about why you chose pharmacy as a career and why you are interested in Touro’s program specifically studentdoctor.net. (For instance: “Why Pharmacy, and why our school?”)
• Understanding of the Profession – You may be asked about the role of pharmacists or current and future issues in the field studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. Examples include explaining what a pharmacist really does beyond just filling prescriptions, discussing the future of pharmacy in the next decade, or talking about a particular drug or health care topic that fascinates you.
• Behavioral and Situational Questions – These explore how you act in teamwork or handle dilemmas studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. You might be prompted to describe a time you dealt with a conflict in a group or how you resolved a challenge. There could also be scenario questions such as what you would do if a patient insisted on an inappropriate medication (testing your ethical decision-making and communication).
• Hypothetical Problem-Solving – Interviewers sometimes pose imaginative scenarios to see your creativity and critical thinking studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. An example reported by past candidates is, “Imagine there were no more pharmacists in the traditional sense – how would you adapt or what role could you see yourself taking on in healthcare?” (This invites you to think about alternative roles or innovations in pharmacy.) Another example was asking an interviewee to design a headline for the college’s newsletter front page, which tests how you might capture something important or positive about the school or profession.
• Personal Values and Personality – You should also be ready for introspective questions studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. Interviewers have asked things like “What does success mean to you?” or “Beyond obtaining a degree, what do you hope to get from your time at Touro?” These questions don’t have right or wrong answers; rather, they let you reveal your principles, goals, and what you value in an education.

The breadth of these questions shows that Touro’s interview is comprehensive – they want to gauge your personal drive, your knowledge of the field, your interpersonal skills, and how you think on your feet. While preparing, it’s useful to reflect on experiences or ideas relevant to each of these areas. For example, have a clear story about why you chose pharmacy and what draws you to Touro’s program (perhaps aspects like the 3-year format or the community outreach appealed to you). Stay informed about pharmacy news and be ready to discuss a current issue or a trend (such as developments in pharmacy law or technology in healthcare). Think of examples from your past that show teamwork, leadership, or ethical reasoning that you could use if asked a behavioral question. And importantly, be prepared for off-beat prompts – the interview may include an element of surprise to see how you organize your thoughts. The key is not to have a scripted answer for everything, but to be adaptable and genuine. Touro’s interviewers are looking for thoughtful, well-rounded individuals who can communicate clearly. Past candidates report that even though some questions were challenging or unexpected, the interviewers were friendly and gave them a chance to explain their thoughts studentdoctor.net. By understanding these thematic areas, you can practice articulating your thoughts in a clear, structured way, which will help you remain calm and confident during the actual interview.

For anyone aiming to join Touro’s PharmD program in Fall 2026, it’s crucial to stay on top of the application timeline. The PharmCAS application cycle for 2025-2026 is expected to open in July 2025, allowing applicants to start their applications in mid-summer (around July 10 based on the typical PharmCAS schedule) tcop.touro.edu. Touro University California participates in the Early Decision Program (EDP), which means if you select Touro as your EDP choice, you will need to submit your PharmCAS application by early September 2025 and refrain from applying to other schools until a decision is made pharmacyschoolfinder.org. Early Decision can be a good option for candidates who are certain that Touro is their top choice and want to receive an admission decision by October 2025.

For regular admissions, Touro’s final application deadline is June 1, 2026 tu.edu. However, keep in mind that the program uses rolling admissions – applications are reviewed, and interview invites are sent out continuously starting in the fall. Submitting well in advance of the deadline is strongly recommended tu.edu. In fact, Touro warns that deadlines can be moved up if the class seats fill early, so earlier applicants have a clear advantage tu.edu. The admissions staff will begin reviewing completed applications in late summer 2025, and the first interview invitations might go out as early as August or September. Interviews then run monthly (or periodically) from September 2025 through May 2026, or until the class is filled tu.edu. It’s wise to aim to apply by the end of the calendar year 2025 or early 2026 at the latest, to maximize your chance of securing an interview spot before all seats are spoken for.

Once you interview, the decision process moves quickly. Touro’s Admissions and Standards Committee meets on a weekly basis to discuss interviewed candidates and make recommendations to the Dean tu.edu. As a result, interviewees often hear back (admitted, waitlisted, or denied) within roughly 1–2 weeks after their interview. If you are accepted, you will be notified via email or phone (so be sure to monitor your inbox and check spam folders, as the admissions office noted that “no news may not be good news” and to watch your junk mail tu.edu). Accepted students are required to pay a $200 initial deposit within two weeks of the offer to hold their seat tu.edu. A second deposit of $1,000 is then due by May 15, 2026 (for Fall 2026 entrants) to confirm your intention to enroll tu.edu. These deposits are non-refundable but will count toward your tuition, and Touro, like many pharmacy schools, has policies to prevent applicants from holding multiple acceptances past certain dates tu.edu. If you are placed on a waitlist, Touro may keep you informed of your status; since they don’t interview just for waitlist, being waitlisted means you are still in contention if spots open up later in the cycle.

Finally, matriculation for the Class of 2026 (those accepted in this cycle) will occur in the summer/fall of 2026. Touro’s program typically begins with an orientation in mid-to-late July or early August, given the accelerated nature of the curriculum, and classes officially start in the Fall semester. Exact dates will be provided with acceptance materials. Between acceptance and matriculation, incoming students should complete any outstanding prerequisites by Spring 2026 (if applicable), fulfill immunization/background check requirements, and, if possible, attend any “Second Look” events or communications the school offers to get oriented. The 2025-2026 admissions cycle is expected to be competitive, so adhering to these timelines and staying organized with requirements will help ensure a smooth process from application to enrollment.

In summary, successful preparation for a Touro University California College of Pharmacy interview involves understanding both the mechanics of the process and the mindset of the institution. The interview format – a panel with group interactions plus an on-site essay and math quiz – is designed to holistically assess your communication skills, problem-solving, and professionalism. The school’s mission of serving others and developing leaders in pharmacy is evident throughout its program, so reflecting on how your own values and experiences align with those ideals is crucial. Touro’s innovative 3-year curriculum and emphasis on clinical exposure offer great talking points; being curious and asking informed questions about the program can leave a positive impression. Additionally, staying informed on current pharmacy issues, demonstrating the leadership and empathy you’ve cultivated, and being ready for a range of interview questions will all signal that you are ready to join the Touro California PharmD community. By combining knowledge of the program with personal self-awareness, you can approach the interview day with confidence, showing the admissions committee that you are not only a strong applicant on paper but also the kind of engaged, mission-driven future pharmacist that Touro aims to graduate.