<p>Due to various financial/personal reasons, I have elected to enter an MBA program straight out of undergrad. Primarily it's due to the fact that a) I can't find work to save my life in this economy (unremarkable B.S. from state university), b) there are really no other graduate programs that interest me or fit my background, and c) this school is offering me a very substantial scholarship (and I happen to be very short on cash right now). I understand that this goes against the conventional wisdom of working several years and trying for a big school, but I simply have very limited options at the moment. There are tons of factors at work that I couldn't wholly summarize in the context of a single post.</p>
<p>The program I'm in is very well-respected in its region (places in the 30-40 range according to the Forbes ROI rankings) but unfortunately it's a small program and doesn't really place into the top consulting and financial firms that all the top grads go into in NYC, Chicago, and all those other major cities. It sucks because I have a degree that I have on interest in using at the moment and that I've always wanted to attend an elite school. Partially for reasons of self-entitlement, but primarily for the fact that those top, top programs open tons of doors and I want that opportunity badly. </p>
<p>This leads me to ask a few questions: </p>
<p>a)Is it possible to go for a second MBA a few years down the road at a top 10 school?
b) Should I shoot for a Master's or PhD in Finance at a good school?
c) Or should I simply hustle and network my ass to those top jobs?</p>
<p>At this point you're probably thinking that this is the dumbest, most naive kid on the planet but I'm really lost and have nobody to talk to. Figured that this would be the best place.</p>
<p>An unremarkable MBA coupled with an unremarkable BS isn’t going to amount to a whole hill of beans with a nonexistent work history, it will just put you further in debt. And, chances are, you won’t have the economy to blame for you not being able to find a job.</p>
<p>I would suggest looking for a job outside your comfort zone or looking at positions/opportunities you may not have considered with the intent of getting into a great MBA program in the next 2-3 years.</p>
<p>I see what you’re saying, Japher. Although I wouldn’t necessarily say that this particular MBA is “unremarkable”. As I said before, it’s well-known in its region so I shouldn’t have a problem getting a job upon graduation. Problem is that it just doesn’t lead to the kind of jobs I might eventually want (IB, PE, top consulting, etc.)</p>
<p>It just sucks because I literally have no other options at the moment. I don’t have the LSAT for a good LS, there are no practical graduate programs worth pursuing, and I can’t get a job to save my life at the moment (nor do I have any interest in working in the field in which I hold the B.S.) Even if I wanted to do some sort of unpaid internship work just to get my foot in the door some place, I wouldn’t even know where to start. </p>
<p>At this point I think what I’ll do is go for a MSF at a Hopkins/Berkeley/Georgetown type of school 2-3 years after the MBA and/or pursue a Business Ph.D some place. I figure that if the finance thing doesn’t work out, I could always go the academia/consulting route with a Ph.D.</p>
<p>I was wrong. Here is something I found on Wharton’s FAQs:</p>
<p>“I already have an MBA. Can I apply to Wharton?
Yes you can apply. We do not exclude candidates who have an MBA or any other graduate degree. You should, however, fully explain your reasons for pursuing a second MBA in your application.”</p>
<p>Agree. I know you need an answer to your current situation but I don’t think this MBA is it. Good chance you’ll just find yourself in the same situation you are in now in 2 years. The more mediocre degrees you pile on, the more you will pigeonhole yourself as not a candidate for elite jobs. </p>
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<p>Take the time to figure it out instead of rushing into a program that won’t get you where you want to go. Consult profs, career counselors, friends of your parents and alum of your college.</p>
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<p>As someone very involved at Wharton I can assure you that having the first MBA being from a lesser program will not be seen as a good reason.</p>