<p>I am a student from a top 5 (HYPSM) school who was originally interested in an MD/PhD but am realizing I would rather go into science management in the future and that an MBA would make more sense for what I want to do. I have a 3.6 GPA as a chem major and have already scored a 760 on the GMAT. Based on these raw stats, should I consider applying for an MBA straight out of college, HBS's 2+2, or just go back to my MD/PhD ways? And what about PhD/MBA programs, are they useful at all? Thanks!</p>
<p>MBAs are generally utilized to break a glass ceiling, not to get your foot in the door. I admire that you want to get an advanced degree, but I don’t know what your direction is so I can’t tell you if it is a good idea or not. For the most part, you will be advised not to get an MBA without work experience. Based only on the information your original post has given I would suggest the MD or PhD instead of the MBA at this point. Note, all because you get an MD or a PhD doesn’t mean you have to practice medicine, many MD/PhDs seem to be running medical type companies that require the education but not the practice. On the route you could look at EMBAs once you are positioned to gain something from such an education.</p>
<p>No one takes an MD’s medical opinion seriously without being board certified and having completed residency. I don’t think he wants to go through all that for a voucher on expertise in medicine.</p>
<p>Try to gain some real world experience in “science management”…maybe go work for pfizer or abbot to gain some pharm experience where you could use your chem background and see the business world.</p>