kellog jd/mba and other stuff

NYCDude
Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:34:41 +0000

I’ve actually been admitted to both the NU JD/MBA program and Wharton’s 2-year MBA. Still working through my decision. However, I’m strongly leaning toward Wharton since I don’t want to be a lawyer and know what I want to do in business, so would mainly be seeking the JD because I have a long-standing academic interest…which is probably crazy given the expense.

I do have significant business experience - currently a senior corporate bond research analyst at a BB firm…been here for 4.5 years (straight out of college) and got promoted ridiculously early to a senior position back in the summer. Unfortunately, despite the career progression and compensation, this isn’t what I want to do. I am shooting for either an investment management position or project finance role, with either consisting of a focus on emerging markets. I could make the lateral switch to IM right now if I wanted, but I still think the long-term benefits of an MBA are significant, particularly with a school like Wharton. The advantage of the NU program would be to augment my already considerable finance experience with something a bit different. But given my income ($300K+), I don’t think I can justify the additional year at this point just to indulge a largely academic interest. Not to mention, I can afford to pay two years at Wharton with cash, but would need some debt for the NU degree. This wouldn’t be a big deal if I felt like I would get paid more for having the JD.