<p>Here's a little background information on me. I'm currently a third year PhD student in Electrical Engineering at a top 10 university in the states. I received my MS degree about a year ago, and have spent the past year teaching both at my University and abroad. For a variety of reasons, none of which negatively reflect my abilities, I've become interested in stopping my PhD education and start pursuing a business degree (MBA). </p>
<p>I've done some preliminary research, and I'm hoping to get some advice as well as chance myself for a top 5 MBA program.</p>
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<p>Here are my qualifications:</p>
<p>I am the elected president of the EE graduate student association at my university. An organization with over 400 members.</p>
<p>I became a lecturer at my university at age 23 (one of the youngest ever in my department). I've taught classes of 70+ students, with multiple senior PhD TAs working under me.</p>
<p>I was invited to be a visiting Professor at a University in Vietnam (the youngest Professor ever at the school). In my two month tenure, I taught multiple courses there as well as helped them develop their research program and academic curriculum.</p>
<p>I've held some of the most prestigious and hard to get internships in my field.</p>
<p>My GPA over the past 3 years in graduate school is 3.94. Undergraduate GPA was a bit lower at 3.5, but my junior and senior year GPAs were much higher.</p>
<p>I am on very good terms with my Professors, so I expect some great recommendation letters.</p>
<p>I haven't taken the GMATs yet, but I expect at least 700+.</p>
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<p>So in my situation, would pausing a PhD program to pursue an MBA make sense? And what are my chances at a top institution?</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but I think it would be in your best interests to finish the PhD program. Having such an incredibly impressive degree would be a sweet “hook” in your MBA application, whereas being a PhD program dropout would be somewhat of a negativity.
I think with an EE PhD + MBA you could get pretty much any job you wanted.</p>
<p>There is no question that having a PhD under your belt would help you, but would stopping at the MS hurt you? I don’t know.</p>
<p>If I were you and you are in your mid-20s (is that right)? </p>
<p>If you want to work in tech/management consulting/general business:
I would try to finish the PhD, get a job in industry, work that for a couple of years and blow doors, and then apply for an MBA program.</p>
<p>If you want to work in finance, finishing the PhD won’t matter as much.</p>
<p>In either case, though, your application may be hurt by a lack of hands-on business experience.</p>
<p>You’re right, I just turned 25 this year. I still have about 3-4 years in the PhD, and I’ve grown a bit disillusioned with the academic research, hence the thoughts of a possible career switch. At this point, I don’t really see myself working under a research atmosphere, so my heart just hasn’t been set on the degree. </p>
<p>Bummer that my current predicament may end up hurting my application, but do I still have a shot? Should I bother to go through the GMATs and apply?</p>
<p>I’m amused at this post because I was about to come make a post on the exact same thing, only difference being that my PhD will be in public health and I’m contemplating quitting, working for 3-5 years and then going back to get an MBA (or MPA) focusing in healthcare administration. I had the same questions, but I’m in the same place - I’m turning 25 this year, still have 2.5-3 years in this program and I’m disillusioned with academic research and don’t see myself working as a research in a university or institute setting (although I do see myself doing applied business research like market research or quality assurance for clinicians).</p>
<p>I don’t have any work experience, so I’m thinking that will help before I re-enter school.</p>