Non-business work experience

<p>As far as work experience is concerned, how would 4 years in the Air Force JAG corp, public interest law, or government (state's attorney, etc.) be perceived for MBA admission? I have a finance degree UG and am currently in law school, but have no desire to do biglaw. Ultimately I want to start my own business or nonprofit and I feel an MBA would help. However, I've heard you need minimum 2 years full time business experience for admission into good MBA programs.</p>

<p>It would be perceived very favorably.</p>

<p>
[quote]
It would be perceived very favorably.

[/quote]

It would not be perceived more favorably than any other work experience -- it's the content and your accomplishments that matter.</p>

<p>I don't buy that. Admissions committees cream themselves when they have the opportunity to accept a lawyer into their program. They also love military officers. Your work experience is really only as good as you portray it in your resume/essays. It shouldn't be that hard to sell your accomplishments in law.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I don't buy that. Admissions committees cream themselves when they have the opportunity to accept a lawyer into their program.

[/quote]

Why -- what are the inherent qualities to lawyers that make them better than other candidates? (The are none, in case you're wondering.) If adcoms were all over lawyers, there'd be MUCH more of them in b-schools... especially the top ones.</p>

<p>
[quote]
They also love military officers.

[/quote]

They appreciate what they bring to the table but that doesn't give them a free pass into the program. My vet classmates still had solid to great academic credentials (service academies, top private/public undergrads) and
and stellar work experience. Run-of-the-mill officers apply to top b-schools all the time and don't get in.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Your work experience is really only as good as you portray it in your resume/essays. It shouldn't be that hard to sell your accomplishments in law.

[/quote]

Agreed -- assuming that the law accomplishments are worth mentioning.</p>