An Unorthodox Approach to the Fellowship Process: Part 1 – The Mindset & The "Why"

Author: Ravi Parekh

Views are my own and do not reflect my employer.

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When I graduated from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and went through the cycle, I managed 16 applications across Rutgers, MCPHS, UNC, and independent programs. The process worked because my approach was deliberate from day one, not something I figured out as I went.

If you want to stand out in a sea of highly qualified PharmD candidates, it all starts with your mindset and a crystal-clear understanding of your target functional area.

Here is the strategic foundation that shaped my approach:

1. Look Beyond the Logistics Checklist

There are already excellent, free public resources out there that break down application timelines and mechanics (like ADP’s Guide to PharmD Fellowships). Don't spend your time reinventing the wheel; utilize those resources. Instead, shift your focus to the overarching mindset and the small, subtle nuances that genuinely matter to program directors and preceptors.

2. Define Your "Why" with Precision

The most common question you will face during recruitment is: "Why this functional area?"  For me, the answer was Medical Affairs, the exact intersection where the clinical training of a PharmD meets the science, communication, and commercial strategy of the pharmaceutical industry.

Medical Affairs work involves:

• Generating and disseminating crucial clinical evidence.

• Directly engaging with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs).

• Supporting high-level publications and global congresses.

3. Layer Your Intentions (Find Your Niche)

Many applicants default to Medical Affairs simply because it is a popular path. To separate yourself from the crowd, you need to go layers deeper. I intentionally narrowed my application scope based on a few variables:

• Previous Experience: I leveraged my background in both Medical Affairs and Oncology to build immediate credibility rather than starting from scratch.

• Oncology: A natural fit for me due to the immense clinical complexity of the therapeutic space and its rapid pace of development.

• US & Global Scope: Chosen deliberately because a global scope adds an entirely new layer of organizational complexity that I found compelling.

The Takeaway: Focus on the nuances and be deliberate in understanding your “Why”.