PharmD/JD advice please

[movingfwd]

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I'm interested in drug and food policies so I hope to work for the FDA in the future. Thus, I'm thinking about pursuing both pharmacy and JD as a dual. The best school that offers PharmD/JD dual degree is Univ. of Maryland.

However, at this moment, I'm split between two paths. First is applying to University of Maryland Pharmacy school this fall. If I get in, in my p1 next year, I'm going to apply to Maryland Law to study healthcare law (I heard Maryland's healthcare law program is ranked #2 in the country). By doing this, I could get both degrees in 6 years.

Second is to go to a top-tier pharmacy school like UNC or Michigan for pharmacy next year. Then, after finishing 4 years of pharmacy, I could go to law school for another 3 years. By doing this, I will have both degrees in 7 years. I guess advantage of this would be that I would have degrees from top-ranked schools.

So my questions are:
1) Which option is better for me? Does it matter for me to go to a top-ranked school for pharmacy AND law if I want to work in the FDA in the future?
2) Are there any PharmD/JD out there who can give me an advice on where they work, what they do, and whether you would recommend doing pharmD/JD? Thanks for your advice and help ahead of time!

 

[Rouelle]

I have no experience whatsoever with law school or the legal profession, so I can give nothing more than abstract opinion. But my opinion is that you should cover your bases and do both. If the U of Maryland dual degree program is your top choice, definitely apply. However, even for an exceptionally strong candidate, applying to only one school is a real gamble, so I would also apply to some other schools as well.

On another point: I am under the impression that going to a top tier law school is important with regard to getting a good law job. I am also under the impression that pharmacy school ranking matters much less. Perhaps someone with more relevant experience than me can discuss whether this trend carries over into government jobs (FDA).

Good luck!

 

[Passion4Sci]

I have no experience whatsoever with law school or the legal profession, so I can give nothing more than abstract opinion. But my opinion is that you should cover your bases and do both. If the U of Maryland dual degree program is your top choice, definitely apply. However, even for an exceptionally strong candidate, applying to only one school is a real gamble, so I would also apply to some other schools as well.

On another point: I am under the impression that going to a top tier law school is important with regard to getting a good law job. I am also under the impression that pharmacy school ranking matters much less. Perhaps someone with more relevant experience than me can discuss whether this trend carries over into government jobs (FDA).

Good luck!

Normally, it is correct that the top tier law school is much more important than the top tier pharmacy school, but I think in THIS case, neither are particularly important. For a while back in '10, we had a regular poster that was a JD/PharmD (or at least was VERY intimate with the workplace of a JD/PharmD, s/he had a lot of detailed info) and s/he set me straight when I brought the "Top 14 or bust" party line into the conversation. "Top 14 or bust" is all I can remember from my wife's law school admissions cycle - She wouldn't even apply to schools ranked above 15 or 16 because of the glut of law schools and the devaluation of the JD.

Apparently, though, for industry positions with a synthesis of JD and PharmD, the name on your JD means much less than just being licensed and competent.

 

[owlegrad]

Normally, it is correct that the top tier law school is much more important than the top tier pharmacy school, but I think in THIS case, neither are particularly important. For a while back in '10, we had a regular poster that was a JD/PharmD (or at least was VERY intimate with the workplace of a JD/PharmD, s/he had a lot of detailed info) and s/he set me straight when I brought the "Top 14 or bust" party line into the conversation. "Top 14 or bust" is all I can remember from my wife's law school admissions cycle - She wouldn't even apply to schools ranked above 15 or 16 because of the glut of law schools and the devaluation of the JD.

Apparently, though, for industry positions with a synthesis of JD and PharmD, the name on your JD means much less than just being licensed and competent.

Below? Or do I not understand how rankings work?

 

[Passion4Sci]

Below? Or do I not understand how rankings work?

I was thinking numerically, not ordinally. I always do that. "5th is above 4th" because it's a larger number, rather than the other way around.

Rankings r dumb. I r dumb.

 

[owlegrad]

I was thinking numerically, not ordinally. I always do that. "5th is above 4th" because it's a larger number, rather than the other way around.

Rankings r dumb. I r dumb.

Makes sense when you say it like that. Everyone else does it wrong, eh? 😉😀

 

[Passion4Sci]

Makes sense when you say it like that. Everyone else does it wrong, eh? 😉😀

Hah, no, rankings totally make sense with 3rd being a "higher" rank than 7th. Perhaps "better" and "worse" would be a superior way of describing the difference b/n 3rd and 7th.

I was definitely in the wrong. 😛

 

[UNMorBUST]

I think in this case, it is more of who you know and what you know. Participation in organizations involved in food and drug law as well as making close ties to those involved in the industry are the most important "x" factors. It is a small industry so I am sure it is very insular.

I am with you P4S. I still think all things being equal, a T14 applicant is going to be picked over a T2-T3 applicant. That is just me, and you can't deny the JD market are ranking wh*res.

 

[Argentium]

just wanted to add that if you look at general counsel jobs in pharma - all of them require a couple of years experience at a top tier law firm. top law firms usually hire from t14 - just sayin.