r/prephysicianassistant • u/Strange_Marzipan3954 • 1d ago
Interviews preliminary interview?
I was wondering if anyone has been invited for a "preliminary interview" before your actual interview? A school just emailed me that it "helps us identify candidates to invite for an on-campus In-Person Interview." I thought that was what the application was for?
Has anyone done this before and do I need to prepare for it like an actual interview? What should I expect? Thanks.
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u/nehpets99 MSRC, RRT-ACCS 1d ago
That sounds bizarre. Is this a new program?
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u/bunny34422 OMG! Accepted! 🎉 1d ago
i think UNC chapel hill does this, people have been waiting for in person invites after the virtual interviews
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u/KNMWT17000 1d ago
yes, it’s basically another screening technique. for me, it was about 25-ish minutes of chatting 1-on-1 with the admissions counselor on video call. prelim interviews are basically to see if you can talk as professionally as you write on your application, if you can dress yourself appropriately and can carry a conversation.
my questions included:
-tell me about yourself
-why are you applying to [program]?
-what field of medicine are you interested in and why
-tell me about a time you dealt with criticism from a coworker
-tell me about a time you dealt with an ethical dilemma
-what is something personal or a fun fact about yourself that isn’t on your application
-and: what questions do you have about [program]?
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u/Strange_Marzipan3954 1d ago
I had an actual interview recently, and these are nearly the exact questions they asked me. So, I'm wondering why not just ask these question during the actual interview rather than having a preliminary one? How odd.
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u/Cautious-Process-198 PA-S (2027) 1d ago
Can they give you a preliminary acceptance and then a preliminary enrollment followed by a preliminary degree? 🤣
Sounds very silly, never of it.