Author: williams.4020

Interview Day Preparation

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Hi there, prospective Buckeyes!

It’s Victoria here with a few words on “Interview Day preparation!” For the last two years, I’ve worked in the Office of Student Affairs – the same office that coordinates and hosts interviews for our PharmD program. I’ve gotten to see the application process from start to finish, from both the student and the administrative point of view. As a result, I’d like to offer up some “Do’s” and “Do NOTs” so that you arrive in Columbus feeling confident for your interview!

DO take the time to prepare for your interview. Go to pharmacy.osu.edu and click around. What remaining questions do you have about our program? What about Ohio State is interesting to you? Consider practicing responses to common interview themes. But…

DO NOT be too rehearsed. Solid interview preparation is key, but more importantly you should be yourself! Have confidence in your own abilities and experiences, and simply be ready to tell your interviewer more about them.

DO stick to the facts. For example, I once took a cable car up a mountain in the Swiss Alps and walked around at the top. I would not want to claim I “hiked the Swiss Alps” in an attempt to impress my interviewer. What if they were an avid hiker and asked me what type of boots I wore?!

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(Notice my poor footwear choice…I know nothing about hiking and wouldn’t want to be caught in an exaggeration of the facts. Shameless plug, I was in Switzerland for a College of Pharmacy study abroad trip this past spring break!)

DO NOT skip breakfast because you don’t want to spill anything on your suit. If anything, just pass on the cream cheese and have a plain bagel if you’re worried about it. You’ll feel so much better throughout the day if you’re not on an empty stomach.

Finally, DO remember that your interview day is for you to evaluate if the College is a good fit for you. If you were on a date, you’d pay attention to if your date was a good match for you at least as much as you’d be trying to make a good impression. This applies to PharmD interviews as well! Do focus on putting your best foot forward, but take note of if the school is a good fit for you in return.

As always, please feel free to comment here or email me with any questions you might have. Interviews are intimidating, but they don’t have to be! You were invited to campus for a reason, have confidence and the rest will fall into place!

That’s all for now! Go Bucks!

-Victoria

williams.4020@osu.edu

Hello, my name is… Victoria!

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Hi Everyone!

My name is Victoria Williams, and I’m your new Ambassador Coordinator this academic year. I’d like to take some time to introduce myself to all of you so that you know a little more about me since I’ll be posting here frequently!

I grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA though my family now lives outside Philadelphia. My non-pharmacy-related interests include pugs, reading, working out, watching TV, and spending time with friends and family.

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I earned my undergraduate degree from OSU in the Pharmaceutical Sciences. During my time as an undergrad, I worked as a Resident Advisor to our Pharmacy House Living/Learning Community and worked for the College of Pharmacy in the Student Affairs Office. I also served as a teaching assistant for “Introduction to Pharmacy” and completed a research project on the effectiveness of this elective course. I started teaching cycle and strength group fitness classes at the campus gym as a junior, and continue to do so now as a PharmD student! Currently I also intern at Riverside Methodist Hospital with Ohio Health.

I’m in my second year of the PharmD program, and I’m enjoying it so much! Of course the coursework is challenging, but it’s so rewarding to be learning a subject I am passionate about alongside other motivated individuals. I love attending the College of Pharmacy here at OSU, and I can’t wait to tell you why in a future post.

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions at Williams.4020@osu.edu!

GO BUCKS!

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Study Abroad with the College!

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Ohio State’s former President E. Gordon Gee was oftentimes quoted saying that a passport is the “driver’s license of the 21st century.” Study abroad opportunities are strongly encouraged by the University, and a pharmacy-specific trip is coordinated right here at the College! The College has a long-standing history of offering students the opportunity to study abroad over spring break to a variety of destinations. These destinations rotate every year, and this past spring I was fortunate enough to get to go to Switzerland on the inaugural trip!

 

All of the College’s study abroad opportunities are structured to be the perfect blend of cultural exploration and pharmacy-related education. In Switzerland, that meant we had the opportunity to explore the Swiss Alps, try chocolates and cheeses from all over the country, and learn more about their rich history. We also had the opportunity to visit two different colleges of pharmacy, a community pharmacy, the World Health Organization, and the European Union’s equivalent of the US Pharmacopeia. Though we stayed in Zurich, we had the opportunity to make day trips to Geneva, Lucern, Basel, and Strasbourg, France.

 

It’s incredibly difficult to choose a favorite part of the trip! It was truly an unforgettable opportunity. Both what I learned about culture and pharmacy are lessons I will remember forever. Though the chocolates I brought back only lasted a week, the memories I have of this trip will last much longer. I highly encourage everyone to pursue a study abroad opportunity during your time here at Ohio State! You certainly won’t regret it!

 

Here’s a few pics from our trip!

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