The Right Coast vs. the Left Coast

Burb_Parent
Thu, 26 Jul 2007 08:01:23 +0000

I’ll give you a few thoughts, but understand that I got my MBA a very long time ago, so I’m not current on today’s trends.


Product design is not a normal MBA track. If you have a talent in that area, go for it!
Pursue what you love to do. In the long-run you will do better if you love your work, or at least find it interesting.
You do not need an undergraduate business degree to get into an MBA program. Many take econ or other majors.
In fact, for some MBA programs, you don’t need an undergraduate degree.
I used to work with someone who was a Vietnam-era green beret, and he got into Harvard Business School after military service without an undergraduate degree. This is probably unlikely today because things are so much more competitive.
UVa is well-regarded. If you go there, don’t worry.
It’s not for everyone, but you can also look into Columbia University School of General Studies. This is an undergraduate school within Columbia University for older students. I know you take courses with Columbia College. I don’t know if courses in the School or Engineering are open to GS students. They offer a joint BA/MBA degree, but you have to apply to the MBA program a year early, and there is no guarantee that you will be admitted.
I just don’t know about military experience counting as job experience. If you got promotions and various awards, it might. Some businesses like the dicipline that a military background gives you.