<p>I am currently working towards my Bachelor's in Chemistry and am thinking about the future. </p>
<p>Is it worth it to get a JD and use my chemical background as a bonus or would it be better to get a PhD in Chemistry or Pharmacology? Or both (if so, in what order?)? Or, finally, would it be best to live with my BS in Chemistry and just work with that?</p>
<p>Also, my criteria for "worth it" are as follows: beneficial for job market, well paying, and valuable use of time. </p>
<p>Thanks! </p>
<p>P.S. Working in the US is not my only option, so please no comments about the science industry becoming extinct in this country.</p>
<p>Well medical school is also a choice but you should do what you like whatever that fits your personality a jd is good if thats what you wanna pursure what are your career goals… yeah</p>
<p>Do you want to be a lawyer? If so, a JD may be well worth it. You should definitely try to get an internship somewhere so you can see what the life of a lawyer is actually like. Things like “beneficial for job market, well paying, and valuable use of time” will not get you through the day. If you find you are interested in the law, a science undergrad would definitely help. As to what flavor, I would figure out the broad spectrum of work you’re interested in. Then I would go look at the bios of attorneys who work at firms doing that work. Then I would find some who went to your undergrad and email them. They’ll know best what it takes to get where they are.</p>
Only go to law school if you really want to be a lawyer. This is a decision you need to make before taking the LSAT, applying, etc; there’s no point in wasting the time and money if you’re not sure.
If you enjoy Chemistry, and think you could get into a PhD program in Pharmacology-go for it! The pharma industry is gigantic and gigantically capitalized. If you get a PhD in Pharmacology(or one of the many sub-specialties of Chemistry) you will be in big demand.</p>
<p>tend to agree with crankyoldman on point #1 but I would add or you could see yourself in a field where a JD could come in handy. Would it be worth it? Who knows? a phd in pharmacy could only be a good thing and you’d know better than me on the phd in chemistry. I also agree with cranky on #2. I’d really sit down and see what you want to do and then get the degree that takes you there the quickest. law school is a miserable way to spend 3 years if you don’t want to be a lawyer.</p>
Take a look at the attorney job postings in your area and decide how much of a “bonus” a chemistry degree would be. (Absent a Ph.D., I would say, “Not much”.) </p>
<p>If you are interested in patent law, become a patent agent; if you enjoy being a patent agent and have a secure job lined up after law school, then go to law school (probably at night).</p>