University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Health & Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmacy MMI Practice Questions

How does ULM's focus on rural healthcare and underserved populations align with your career goals?

Should Louisiana establish a state-funded prescription assistance program specifically for residents who lose Medicaid coverage due to federal cuts?

Tell me about yourself.

Why pharmacy?

Why University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Health & Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmacy?

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

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

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

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

How many golf balls fit in an airplane?

Teach me something.

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is healthcare a right or a privilege?

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.

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

How do you relate to our mission?

Why do you want to go to school in Monroe?

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?

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

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

How would you contribute to the diversity and community at ULM's School of Pharmacy?

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.

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

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?

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

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

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

Louisiana's rural pharmacy workforce faces unique challenges including limited access to continuing education, isolation from peer networks, and difficulty maintaining inventory for diverse patient needs across large geographic areas. The state's frequent hurricanes compound these challenges by disrupting supply chains and forcing temporary closures. With pharmacy deserts becoming more common in rural Louisiana and patients having to travel significant distances for medications, particularly specialty drugs, how should pharmacists balance their obligation to serve their immediate community against the financial viability needed to keep their practice sustainable in economically depressed rural areas?

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?

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

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.

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

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

What community service activities have you done?

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?

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.

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?

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?

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.

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?

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?

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

What would you do if a patient refused treatment?

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

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

What is your favorite movie?

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

Why is ULM's location in North Louisiana particularly appealing for your pharmacy education and training?

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?

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?

Can compassion be taught?

What are your strengths?

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

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

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

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?

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

What do you know about ULM's clinical rotation opportunities and how do they align with your interests?

What was your most challenging experience?

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

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

How should Louisiana address the closure of rural pharmacies when these closures leave communities without local medication access?

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

What are your weaknesses?

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

What is the biggest problem in healthcare today?

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?

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

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

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

Who is your role model?

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

What is an ethical dilemma you have faced?

What is your biggest regret?

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

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

Tell me about a time you exhibited leadership.

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

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

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?

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?

Should Louisiana mandate that all pharmacies stock naloxone and train staff in its administration, even in areas where community opposition exists?

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?

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?

What would you do if you caught a classmate cheating?

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

What do you know about ULM's emphasis on clinical pharmacy practice and patient care?

Tell me about your lowest grade.

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

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

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

How will you handle burnout and being overwhelmed?

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?

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.

How might the transition to pharmacy school affect you.

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

What is one of your strengths in a leadership role?

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 aspects of ULM's mission to serve the healthcare needs of Louisiana and the region resonate with you?

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.

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?

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

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

How would attending pharmacy school in Monroe, Louisiana impact your educational experience?

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

What are University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Health & Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmacy's values?

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

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?

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

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

How do you study?

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

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

What is your learning style?

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

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

What interests you about ULM's approach to interprofessional education within the College of Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences?

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.

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

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

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?

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?

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

How should Louisiana balance patient access to specialty medications against the financial sustainability of rural pharmacies that cannot maintain expensive inventory?

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?

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?

Describe a time working with someone you did not like.

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

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?

How do you handle stress?

How does ULM's Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum structure support your learning preferences?

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.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

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 do you think are important qualities for a pharmacist?

What attracted you specifically to ULM's College of Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences compared to other pharmacy programs?

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?

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

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?

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

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

What do you think about stem cell research?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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

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?

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

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

What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?

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

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?

Louisiana's HIV prevalence is significantly higher than the national average, and many HIV-positive patients depend on specialty pharmacies for their medications. However, the state's rural areas often lack access to these specialized services, and the stigma surrounding HIV remains strong in some communities. Pharmacists may be the only healthcare providers that some patients see regularly for HIV care management. When pharmacists in small Louisiana communities are asked to provide HIV medications and counseling, they must navigate patient confidentiality concerns in close-knit communities where anonymity is difficult to maintain. How should pharmacists balance patient privacy rights with the practical realities of small-town practice where maintaining confidentiality about sensitive medications may be challenging?

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?

Louisiana's Medicaid managed care system requires pharmacists to navigate complex prior authorization processes and formulary restrictions that can delay patient care, particularly for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension that disproportionately affect Louisiana residents. The state's high poverty rates mean many patients cannot afford medications when insurance denials occur. Pharmacists often find themselves in the position of deciding whether to provide emergency supplies of medications while appeals are pending, potentially putting their license at risk. Should pharmacists in Louisiana have enhanced discretionary authority to provide emergency medication supplies for chronic conditions, given the state's unique combination of high poverty and complex managed care systems?

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

Should Louisiana implement special emergency protocols allowing pharmacists to dispense medications without prescriptions during hurricane evacuations and disasters?

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?

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

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

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

What do you do for fun?

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.

What is your biggest fear?

Tell me about a time you failed.

Should healthcare professionals be required to receive certain vaccinations?

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

Louisiana has the second-highest Medicaid enrollment rate in the nation, with 32% of the population relying on Medicaid and nearly 35% receiving some form of Medicaid assistance. The state's opioid crisis presents unique challenges, with rural areas having limited access to medication-assisted treatment and nearly 60% of rural Americans living in counties without buprenorphine-waivered providers. Louisiana pharmacists are positioned to play crucial roles in naloxone distribution and opioid addiction treatment, yet they face potential liability concerns and stigma from community members. How should pharmacists balance their professional obligation to reduce opioid-related deaths through naloxone access against concerns about enabling drug use that may be expressed by patients and community members?

What would be the worst superpower to have?

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

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

If you could choose one superpower what would it be?

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

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.

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

What makes you special?

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

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?

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.

How would you fix the healthcare system?

What controversial healthcare topic are you passionate about?

Louisiana's proposed federal Medicaid cuts could result in over 200,000 residents losing health insurance by 2034, potentially including many who depend on medications for chronic conditions. The state's pharmacists have historically served as accessible healthcare providers for underinsured populations, often providing basic health screenings and medication counseling. With potential massive insurance losses looming, pharmacists may increasingly encounter patients who cannot afford their medications but have serious health conditions. Should Louisiana pharmacists be ethically obligated to provide charitable care through medication assistance programs, even when doing so may compromise their business sustainability?

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?