Your Interview

Congratulations on advancing to the next step in the admissions process! By now, you should have received an electronic confirmation with the date and time of your interview. If you have any questions or need to make changes to your scheduled appointment, please contact your Admissions Counselor, who will be happy to assist you.

We encourage you to carefully review the information below to learn more about what to expect on interview day, how to prepare, and additional resources available to support you throughout the process. We look forward to meeting you and learning more about your experiences, interests, and goals.

Office of Admissions
Western University of Health Sciences

About the Interview & Interviewers

We offer you the option of interviewing Online or On-Campus. The two options are slightly different, as you’ll see below. It may help to review the two different schedules, but the choice is entirely up to you with absolutely no preference by the Admissions Committee.

Sample Interview Schedules: Online Interview or In Person Interview 

While on campus or online, you will hear from faculty and administration about the curriculum, admissions process, and student services as well as chat with students over lunch and take a tour of the campus. You can expect to be interviewed by faculty, administrators, and/or clinicians. The interview will serve as an opportunity for you to demonstrate qualities that could not be fully assessed by your application alone. The interviewers wish to learn more about you and to determine your compatibility with our program. During the 40 minute interview your interviewers will ask a series of general and behavioral-based questions (which require you to draw from personal experience to formulate your answers).

Check In

A photo ID will be required at the time you check in for your interview. Please report to the lobby of the Student Service Center (SSC), see our online campus map. We encourage you to arrive to campus 15 minutes before your scheduled check-in time so that you have ample time to park and walk to the Student Service Center.

Identity Verification Policy

Proper identification of individuals allows WesternU to provide a safe and secure campus environment. In addition, the United States Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Public Law 110-315, requires that University confirm that a person enrolling in the University is the person who is completing the enrollment
form, and that the student taking an examination is the student who participates in, completes, and receives credit for the course.

It is the policy of Western University of Health Sciences that applicants to the University are required to provide a government issued ID when checking in for an Admissions interview. Applicants who are unable to provide an acceptable form of identification may reschedule their interview if space is available. For more
information on acceptable forms of identification, review the University’s Identity Verification policy.

Kick Back & Chat Pre-Interview Social

The Student Ambassador Leadership Team (SALT) members would like to invite you to “Kick Back and Chat” the evening before your interview. Join them for a casual conversation about life at WesternU and the College of Podiatric Medicine. These are completely optional and confidential. Talk about anything!

This online event will take place the day before your interview from 6:00 – 7:00 pm Pacific Time. Information on how to register will be included in your Interview Confirmation email. You can attend all or a portion of the event, and spouses/significant others are welcome to attend with you. Our Ambassadors are looking forward to meeting you.

Preparing For Your Interview

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare for your time with us:

• Make sure your best business professional attire is ready to wear
• Review the Sample Interview Schedules, Online and In Person.
• Please watch this video about our DPM program.
• Review the Curriculum Overview presentation ahead of time.
• Visit the WesternU DPM program page.
• Have a few questions ready for the interviewers in case they ask
• Bring a pen and notepad in case you need to take notes
• Get a good nights’ sleep so your body and mind are refreshed

Parking Instructions

• How to get to the WesternU California Pomona Campus
• Plan to arrive early to allow time for parking and check-in
• Parking will be available in Lot 12, a piad City of Pomona parking lot located at Gibbs Street and First Street. You can view the location of Lot 12 on the WesternU Campus Map.
• Parking is free for the first two hours. After two hours, a flat rate of $2.00 applies. City parking meters accept both coins and credit/debit cards. After parking, please check in and complete payment, if applicable, at any of the parking payment machines. You do not need to display the receipt ion your vehicle.
• Please do not park in the WesternU Health Center parking structure, as vehicles without the appropriate parking permit may receive a citation. Interview Day Directions and Arrival Plan Ahead.

Interview Location

• Health Education Center (HEC)

Health Education Center

Address: 701 E Second St, Pomona, CA

Check in is at the Student Services Center, where you will receive a campus tour and then taken to the HEC for your interview. 

About the Health Education Center

The Health Education Center (HEC) is a central campus hub featuring student study and commons spaces, Cafe Bon Appetit, classrooms, research labs, administrative offices, and a recital hall. The HEC also houses the Dean’s Offices for the Colleges of Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, Podiatric Medicine, and Dental Medicine. 

Airports & Hotels

When scheduling flights, we recommend flying in and out of Ontario International Airport (ONT), which is approximately 10 miles east of our campus. Additional options include Santa Ana/John Wayne Airport (SNA), which is approximately 30 miles south of our campus or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) which is approximately 40 miles west of campus. If you’re an out of town guest, you may also wish to reference some conveniently located hotels.

Useful Resources

• Tuition/Scholarships
• Course Catalog.
• Office For International Students and Scholars
• Learning Enhancement & Academic Development (LEAD)
• Harris Family Center for Disability Policy
• Student Government Association (SGA)

Online Interviews

Online Interview Check-In

When you scheduled your online interview, you should have uploaded a copy of your photo ID. If you have not yet done so, please upload your photo ID through your Application Status Page before your scheduled interview. A photo ID is required to participate in the interview. As you prepare for your virtual interview day, please review the following:

• Review the Zoom Interview Instructions and test your camera, microphone, and internet connection in advance.
• Plan to wear business professional attire and join from a quiet, well-lit location with minimal distractions.

Want to get a better feel for WesternU before your interview? Explore our Pomona Campus Tour.