<p>Berkeley Undergrad (business admin) from Haas and Computer Science major
Been an infantry officer for 2 years (one more year of service to go).
Want to get an MBA. Should I get a job first then get an mba or just go get my mba?
I want to be either a computer consultant or business consultant.</p>
<p>Stats:
GMAT: 740
GPA (berkeley): 3.6
Work Exp: Infantry Officer 3 years ( ranks First Lieutenant)</p>
<p>Applying to Wharton, Harvard, Stanford, basically the top mba programs.
What concerns me is that I have only been in the army for 3 years whereas the average work experience is 5-6 years.</p>
<p>Get a Job in your field. You may be fine just starting a program. You may need to prepare yourself. Everything about civilian life is bizarre when you get out, and your temperament is geared for something different. Things are different when you get out and it takes a little time to get back into the swing of things. For many guys adding the MBA school environment may be a bit much. </p>
<p>Students with a military background bring a level of leadership experience to an MBA program rarely matched by their civilian peers. In turn, an MBA degree provides these students with vital business skills, essential knowledge and a powerful network that helps them further themselves in their current positions or transition their careers to the private sector. </p>
<p>Your military experience may translate better than you think. I would contact several B-Schools and discuss with their admissions people how you would fit in.</p>
<p>Also rather than target schools by ranking try looking for schools that market to Military Vets. You should get into a program that is “for you”. </p>
<p>Possible Criteria:
They want Vets (Officers, and Infantry)
They specialize in IT
then rank education
- Learning experience?
- Professional or Research Professors?
- Regional Network? Often it’s better to go to regionally ranked school over a nationally ranked school
- etc.
Then U.S. News Rankings, if that is important to you.</p>
<p>Hey there. Former Marine Infantry Officer went to work first then bschool (top 5 MBA). I think that either is fine. Yes your work experience will be valued… extensively. Especially if you deployed to combat, which I presume you did.</p>
<p>You will need to adapt to civilian life, bschool is a great place for that. Along with your career change aspirations, go for it. Do not worry about yrs of experience. As I interviewed with top programs, the quote from all of them was “we view military work years like dog years”. You will have the edge over many students from life and leadership experience. Let your essays show that.</p>
<p>Your educational background is similar to mine. Top 25 university, engineering. Good GMAT (for your credentials, all you need is good enough). </p>
<p>For the record, I got into all programs that I applied to. Your essays will make or break you. Really let them show the leadership that the Army has instilled in you.</p>
<p>As it pertains to fit, go to a top program. Your aspiratioins will probably change, keep the branding there. Maintain your military network too. Guys I served with graduated from all the top programs and we tend to connect. </p>
<p>On the back end, you will have many options with a ton of veterans looking to help. Good job, thank you for your service, and stay low.</p>