Can I apply to the fellowship if I do not have a PharmD?
The Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowships are intended for candidates who will have completed their Doctorate of Pharmacy before the time they would be expected to start the fellowship (July 1st of the following year). By no means is the program open strictly to new graduates. PharmD's with various types of experience are welcome to apply. For future graduates, mainly 2nd or 3rd professional year students, attending the Midyear Clinical Meeting to see first-hand how the process works can be beneficial for the following year when their application process begins. The program is not open to holders of any other advanced degree.

How many fellows are in the Rutgers program?
There are a total of 74 Rutgers University Pharmaceutical Industry Fellows this year. Each year since its inception the program has steadily grown, starting out with a single fellow and reaching a number many times the size of the original group.

What are the requirements for applying to the Rutgers Fellowship?
Applicants must be a graduate of an ACPE accredited school of pharmacy. No other professional experience is required for application. International students who graduate with a Pharm.D. degree from US ACCP accredited schools are eligible to apply for one-year programs only, and are required to apply for an OPT extension as soon as the law permits. [Back to Top]

If accepted to this program, will I be expected to move to New Jersey or New York? Do fellowships exist in other states?
The Industrial Fellowship positions are based at various locations spanning the state of New Jersey. Travel to Rutgers is necessary to attend/present at Professional Development Day and to participate in other aspects of the Rutgers component. [Back to Top]

Will I have the opportunity to rotate outside of my core department or area?
Rotations have been a key element of the enduring success of the Rutgers programs. Many fellows have the opportunity to experience rotations outside of their core department or even at a site external to their host company such as FDA, provided that it can be agreed by the fellow, their preceptor, and Rutgers. [Back to Top]

What are my options after completion of the fellowship program?
This fellowship program offers many opportunities for fellows. Program alumni have gone on to occupy a diverse spectrum of industry positions, based on their experience and visibility within their company. Many fellows take positions with the partner company where they completed their fellowship. Others move on to pursue other interests, but nearly all program alumni are currently employed in the pharmaceutical industry. [Back to Top]

Are there opportunities to meet and network with fellows from other companies?
There are many opportunities to meet and network with other fellows. The Professional Development Series is an excellent opportunity for interaction among fellows. Furthermore, a whole array of social activities and events are arranged at least monthly for fellows from different companies to mingle and network. [Back to Top]

What does the Rutgers component of the fellowship entail? Is it different for 1-year and 2-year programs?
The Rutgers component is the same for both 1-year and 2-year fellows. In order to satisfy requirements for the Rutgers component and qualify for a certificate of completion, all two-year fellows and one-year fellows must complete one of the following during the term of their fellowship. Each case is reviewed individually and must be approved by the fellow, the preceptor, and Rutgers. In addition, other aspects of the Rutgers component include attendance of monthly Professional Development Days and presenting once annually in the Professional Development Day program. Fellows also have the opportunity to teach, serve on various fellowship committees, conduct continuing education programs, participate in various projects, and attend social events. [Back to Top]

How often do we have the opportunity to participate in the Rutgers Professional Development Series? How many presentations per year?
Participation in the Professional Development Series is mandatory, although under appropriate circumstances, up to two absences per year are permitted. Fellows are required to give one presentation to their colleagues on an approved topic per year. [Back to Top]

Do fellows have the opportunity to teach at the School of Pharmacy?
As adjunct faculty at the School of Pharmacy, there are opportunities for fellows to teach. Fellows find that teaching can enhance their fellowship experience. Fellows have been involved in development in various required and elective courses. [Back to Top]

What opportunities are available to me as a fellow?
As a Rutgers Pharmaceutial Fellow you will have the best of both worlds, academia and industry. Academia affords you the opportunity to teach elective and core courses to conduct clinical research and submit papers in conjunction with members of the faculty, and participate in numerous other opportunities based on your creative thinking. During your training, you may have the opportunity to attend national or international meetings and seminars, and have access to many of the resources available at a multinational company. [Back to Top]

How much vacation time does a fellow get?
Vacation days are consistent with the policy at the partner company. [Back to Top]

What about medical/dental benefits and investment plans?
All benefits and investment plans are provided by Rutgers University, which participates in the New Jersey State Employee Benefits Program. [Back to Top]

How do I stay one-step ahead of the game? (i.e. getting recommendations before going to midyear, pre-preparing PPS tickets, etc...)
Candidates can get a head start on the interviewing process prior to the ASHP Midyear meeting by attending the Rutgers Fellowship Information Day being held at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy (link to Rutgers Pharmacy website) in November. This event will fulfill the video viewing requirement that typically takes place at the Midyear meeting. Attendance at this event will also help candidates gain additional information about the fellowship. Generally, formal letters of recommendation are not required at the Midyear meeting. These letters will typically be part of formal application materials that you will submit after you identify programs you wish to pursue. It is a good idea to contact two to three individuals before Midyear to ask if they would serve as a reference so that you can supply the names of your references if asked. In addition to the above mentioned activities, you should make travel arrangements well in advance of the Midyear meeting. You should also prepare your curriculum vitae (CV), and identifying programs that meet your interests. The majority of the application procedures will actually take place after you return home from Midyear, Electronic (email) submission of the application materials is strongly preferred and will expedite and facilitate the review and consideration of your application.

Are there airline discounts for meeting attendees?
A variety of discount airfares is available. Please check ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting

Where should I stay?
ASHP provides a comprehensive listing of convenient hotels that are located near the Convention Center.
Please check the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting

What do I need to bring to Midyear?
You should bring the following items with you to Midyear:

• At least 50 copies of your curriculum vitae (CV) outlining your education, clerkships, professional experience and any other affiliations/awards that may be pertinent
• Useful supplies such as black pens, paper clips, a daily planner to keep track of interviews, and a professional folder/portfolio to hold CVs
• Formal business attire for interviewing

How do I set up interviews for the Rutgers Fellowships at Midyear?
Setting up interviews for the Rutgers Fellowships at Midyear is actually very simple. Just come by the Rutgers interview suite as early as noon on Saturday and sign-up to view our informational video which details the available programs. Once you view this video, you can return to the Rutgers suite and can set up interviews with the program(s) which best fit your interests and expectations. Some companies will be interviewing as early as 2:00pm on Saturday. Please come to the Rutgers suite to schedule an appointment. [Back to Top]

Is it true that the more you interview at Midyear, the better your chances of getting a fellowship?
While more interviews can open more doors for opportunities, interviewing without a focus of what your main interests are can be frowned upon. Instead, take time to get a better understanding and idea of your desired characteristics in a job before you sign up for an entire list of interviews. [Back to Top]

When should I get to Midyear to be prepared for the meeting?
Many students prefer to arrive the Friday prior to the Midyear Clinical Meeting. This allows prospective applicants to be ready for the first day of interviewing which takes place on Saturday. Utilization of the entire PPS interview period (Saturday through Wednesday) is optimal in terms of interview scheduling flexibility and participation in follow-up interviews.
[Back to Top]

How many letters of intent and recommendation do I need?

After Midyear, should I contact prospective employers or will they contact me?

When will I find out whether I have been accepted into the fellowship program? Before or after the ASHP Residency Match?

What are the criteria for successfully completing the program and receiving a certificate of completion?

Will I be eligible for a Student Loan Deferment during the fellowship?

How many letters of intent and recommendation do I need?
Regardless of the number of fellowship programs you wish to be considered for, you need only submit three letters of recommendation and one letter of interest outlining your intention to pursue specific programs. These letters are held collectively by the university and are used together by the companies to determine which ones have expressed an interest in you and would like to invite you for an on-site interview. We have included a form to request for a Letter of Recommendation (Letter of Recommendation Request Form) [Back to Top]

After Midyear, should I contact prospective employers or will they contact me?
Be sure to correspond with those companies in which you have expressed interest. It can be helpful to send appropriate thank you letters citing specifics from your interview experience and an indication of your level of interest in pursuing the company's fellowship. You should write a thank you letter for each of your interviewers. Participating companies that have expressed interest in you will contact you once you have emailed your letter of intent and three letters of recommendation to the fellowship program director, Dr. Barone. [Back to Top]

When will I find out whether I have been accepted into the fellowship program? Before or after the ASHP Residency Match?
The Rutgers Fellowship selection process is conducted independently from the ASHP Residency Match. Offers from the participating companies are often made prior to the results of the Match. [Back to Top]

What are the criteria for successfully completing the program and receiving a certificate of completion?
A fellow must complete the entire 12 or 24 months, respectively of their program in order to earn a certificate of completion. On an exception basis, if a fellow wishes to pursue full time employment before they have fulfilled their original twelve or twenty-four month commitment, they can request that the University convert them to noncompensated fellow status. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis but all three key stakeholder groups (the fellow, the company, and Rutgers) must be in complete agreement for an exception to be granted. In no case will noncompensated fellow status be considered before April 1 for two-year fellows, or May 15 for one-year fellows, of the scheduled year of the completion. Preservation of the program integrity will be the primary determining factor in considering the request. Other factors will include:

i) The completion of all other program requirements including individual goals and objectives,
ii) the extent of the time unfulfilled,
iii) volunteerism for Rutgers activities during the year, and
iv) the satisfaction of all three stakeholder groups.

In order to earn a certificate of completion, fellows whose request to convert to noncompensated status is granted must fulfill all outstanding obligations to Rutgers and to their host company, including but not limited to attendance of all remaining Professional Development Days, completion of their Rutgers component project/paper/requirement, and fulfillment of any teaching commitments. [Back to Top]

Will I be eligible for a Student Loan Deferment during the fellowship?
Because you are participating in a Graduate Fellowship Program, you will likely qualify for student loan deferment. A deferment means you may postpone making payments on your loan under certain specific conditions. The federal government pays the interest charged on Direct Stafford/Ford Loans (Direct Subsidized Loans) and Direct Subsidized Consolidation Loans during a deferment period. However, you are responsible for the interest charged on all other Direct Loans during a deferment period. You may either pay the interest as it accrues or allow it to accumulate and be capitalized when the deferment period ends.

You have a 6-month grace period until your loan repayment begins. If you graduated in June, your loan repayment will not begin until December. Please note that a request for deferment will not be granted until the grace period is about to expire. Your request for deferment should be submitted the month before your grace period is about to expire. For example, if you graduated in June, your grace period will end in December, and you should submit your deferment paperwork in November. [Back to Top]