<p>I'll be attending UMich-AA next year, and I'm thinking about applying to Ross(didn't do PA)?</p>
<ol>
<li>If I get into Ross, I'll do the BBA. But is there any advantage of getting a MBA after a BBA? I figure there isn't, since most business skills can be picked up on the job.</li>
</ol>
<p>or
2. Am I better off just doing CompSci undergrad, then doing an MBA so my skill set will be more broad than simply business? Plus it'll allow me some familiarity to move up within the computing/engineering industries. </p>
<p>**Note: To keep things simple, let's just hypothetically assume that the MBA will be done at Ross, regardless of my chances of getting in.</p>
<p>I did my undergrad at Wharton and I would never do an MBA. Nonetheless here are some reasons for and against doing an MBA after doing business undergrad.</p>
<p>Why you should NOT get an MBA:</p>
<ul>
<li>The classes are exactly the same as your undergrad, so there is really no academic value to going.</li>
<li>The horrible feeling you get from knowing you’re sitting in classes that you’ve been in before.</li>
<li>You don’t want to lose two years of salary and throw an additional ~100-150K down the drain.</li>
<li>If your career is going really well, you won’t want to take 2 yrs off.</li>
</ul>
<p>Why you should get an MBA:</p>
<ul>
<li>You work in a stodgy old industry that cares about titles and diplomas (eg consulting, banking)</li>
<li>You want to grow your network</li>
<li>You are stuck in your career and want to rethink your life, maybe change to a different field.</li>
</ul>
<p>Okay, I’m leaning towards #2, but I’ll still apply to Ross after my first semester so I have that option available.
If I don’t get in, no worries I’ll just continue with #2’s path.</p>
<p>However, if I do get in, it’ll make my decision more difficult. I feel as though getting into the MBA is more difficult than BBA because of the following reasons:
To enter BBA, you’re being evaluated among 1st semester Freshman year and a 500 word essay. No letter of recommendations, interviews, or test scores. Usually 1st semester Freshman courses are easier than their upper level counterparts.
To enter MBA, you’re being evaluated among you’re entire undergraduate education, extracurriculars, essay, and a several years of work experience. Letter of Rec and GMAT/GRE is required. Sounds like quite a hassle.
If I can’t get into Ross MBA, I’ll have to look for somewhere else less prestigious.
Ross’s job placement and recruiting looks attractive.
So it’d be hard to say no to a BBA acceptance.</p>
<p>From my experience in the business world I don’t see where there would be much advantage in getting and MBA after a BBA. An exception would be if you wanted to go into management and the company you worked for preferred MBAs for their management folks. But I suspect you might still make your case there with the BBA.</p>
<p>If you are wanting to work in a technology field, whether full-time or consulting, going the CS route is a great path (assuming you can handle math & science). I recommend working for a few years before going back for an MBA. And in this case the MBA is really only an advantage if you want to pursue management, sales (like a consulting account manager), or similar field. A technical degree like CS and an MBA will give you considerable flexibility.</p>
<p>From my experience, I see no benefit to getting an MBA after a BBA. You would be MUCH better served getting a masters in some specific field of concentration and NOT an MBA.</p>