I’m applying straight from undergrad with a high GPA and hopefully high GMAT. I live in Texas where University of Texas and Texas A&M are the Top 50 schools, and they prefer 2 years of work experience.
Is it better for me to get work experience first and then attempt to get into UT or A& M, or should I get my MBA out of the way at Texas State or University of Houston or the like? My thinking is what if I can’t even get into UT or A&M in the future, and I might be wishing I would have just gotten my MBA at a school like Texas State.
Many times, it is preferable to get an MBA from a big name school (top 25 to 30) if you want to get into high paid jobs. I believe UT Austin is in the top 25. Still, there are people who do well coming from little known programs. The Ivies or big name programs give you a greater chance to get into high paid jobs. However, you may have to forego 2 to 4 years of pay to attend an Ivy or big name MBA program full time. You have to evaluate whether it is worth it or not. To me, definitely to forego a salary to attend an unknown program or a school outside the top 30 is not worth it.
For most people, an MBA from Texas State is better than no MBA at all. Countless recent college grads enter the workforce with the intent of returning to grad school. Most don’t go back. Some have houses/cars/babies etc that make giving up a health insurance and a steady paycheck unrealistic. Most people find it pretty easy to continue to live like a student - but few can go back after making a real paycheck.
How different will your life look in 2-3 yrs?
Apply to all of several schools, even ones that ‘require’ work experience. At the same time, use your school’s career center to interview for career jobs. See what happens… then make the call. Maybe you get a great job offer from a company that will help pay for your degree. Maybe you get straight into UTA, Maybe you get an OK job AND go to Texas State part time. (That can be tough on your social life. ) All will get you experience and an MBA a few years out.
I get the feeling any of those outcomes would be welcome. You won’t have to decide which path to take until May.
Good luck
In my opinion there is no simple answer to your question. There are several variables, such as undergrad courses you have taken, how you did in them, your career goals, the industry / corporations you want to work for, your GRE / GMAT scores and your financial situation etc etc.
Now, is there a scenario in which the best option for a smart kid with a good GPA and GMAT score to stay at Texas State and get his MBA? Sure, there is. For example, suppose you are a history major and have a dad who owns an oil company, but you have changed your mind, don’t want to become a history professor and want to help dad manage his company, where he and the CFO and other senior management in the company attended Texas State. In such a situation, in my opinion, it might be a good idea to get an MBA from Texas State.
On the other hand if your goal is to work as an investment banker in London, then an MBA from TX State might not be the best idea.
Personally, I would not recommend it.
You won’t get much of a salary bump if any compared to just applying for jobs with just a bachelors, and once you get an MBA, you can’t another from a higher-ranked school like a UT-Austin or even more prestigious one.
Why do you want an MBA? What did you major in?