<p>I'm currently enrolled in a four year undergraduate institution with a major in accounting. I'm hoping to attend an MBA program directly out of undergradute - my reasoning for this is twofold;</p>
<p>1) I'm potentially considering a Ph. D in Accounting or Finance. Since many Ph.D programs prefer some sort of graduate degree before admission, the MBA would fit this bill. I realize that an MBA gears one towards a more practical, corporate-environment business career, while a Ph. D is more targeted to the research-centered theory academic. However, I'm unsure of which route I want to take for my career, so I want to leave my options wide open. </p>
<p>2) I'll be finishing my undergraduate degree in an accelerated three years and frankly I'm not yet interested in heading straight out into the corporate world. In fact, my eventual ideal job would be to run my own sustainable business. I've been spoiled by my college years and internet business (discussed later) thus far and the 9-5 lifestyle is a major turn off. The MBA will enable me to stay in school a while longer and enhance my skills in entrepreneurship at the same time. Also, if I DO decide to pursue a corporate business career, the MBA would be an excellent business degree to hold.</p>
<p>Now to the question (and story that goes along with it):
In early 2007, I started an internet business. To keep it short, the business grew highly successful and managed to generate revenues of over $500,000 (30%ish profit margin) for each of the two years it was in operations. Unfortunately, due to the fast pace of the internet, the dwindling economy, and a decline in my particular industry, we just recently had to close up shop. We were working with a team of only three and outsourced many of the operations we couldn't handle alone.</p>
<p>So my question is as follows; would top business schools be likely to count this as legitimate work experience? It clearly isn't your typical firm job and was all done while in college. I did manage to gain a lot of real world business experince however, and was able to successfully balance college (at an accelerated pace) and the business while it was in operation.</p>
<ul>
<li>To prove your business involvement, you had better have detailed explanations as to your role throughout the endeavor.</li>
<li>If you really are set on a PhD, why not pursue your MS in accountancy. At this point, it might be accomplishing the same thing as an MBA.</li>
<li>I think the MBA is more of a terminal degree than a preparation for further graduate studies. It obviously does not preclude you from PhD programs, but the dynamic is geared more towards success in major business upon graduation, not further study.</li>
</ul>
<p>You’re right that a MS in Accounting would accomplish most of what I’m looking for right now, but the MBA just seems to be more of a prestigious degree that commands a higher salary than the MS in Accounting. I like both areas, so interest isn’t really a factor in the equation. I’ll actually be going the MSAcct route if I can’t get into any good MBA programs, but I’m just speculating right now to see if I may have a chance of MBA acceptance with my level of work experience. Thanks for the insight.</p>
<p>What level of B school are you talking about? Depending on ‘the story’ of the business, some schools may see it has the experience you need. That said, going to B school without sufficient experience is really not a good idea. Employers really favor grads with significant business, and a non sustainable business won’t help you much on that front.</p>
<p>If you have the goods for a top business school, don’t settle for one that will take you with limited experience. The value of an MBA varies too greatly with quality of program and many are worth very little.</p>
<p>I wonder if the schools that would see the business experience as adequate would be of the tier that would trump an MS in Accounting. IMO, if the PhD is the intended final destination the MBA seems to not really be on the direct path. Also, while an MBA is a prestigious degree I don’t see how it would be any more prestigious than a PhD. And another thing, the MBA should serve as a career boost and not a stepping stoned to yet another degree. What if, for some reason, you get the MBA then your PhD and still find you need a career boost? You can get a MBA to do that.</p>
<p>No. I agree with hmom. If you can’t get into a top 5 or 10 program than go the MS route. Otherwise you might end up short changing yourself.</p>
<p>Thanks all for the input — I’ve got the GPA and can probably get the GMATs for one of the top schools, but I wouldn’t want to go straight into a job with the pure intention of going back to school for an MBA. I suppose the MS in Accounting may be the better option. Sounds to me like a top tier MBA is more for a person who is just at a certain point in their career where the degree makes sense. Doesn’t really seem like something you’d want to plan prior to working. I’m sure people have considered it for the future at my age, but to plan to work for a few years with the sole intention of getting an MBA later seems a little silly.</p>
<p>Working for several years to get into a top MBA program is not silly for many. The MBA is a transition degree and leads to some of the most lucrative jobs globally if you can graduate from a top program. If you’re not a top college grad it’s the stepping stone needed by most to gain access to the best jobs in business.</p>