JD/MBA

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JD/MBA

by peaches22 » Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:28 am
Ms. Stacy Blackman,
I will be graduating this December, and I have been preparing for the GMAT for nearly two months. I plan on taking the GMAT as soon as possible after graduation and possibly applying to a few joint degree programs. I have done the research on all the top MBA programs and understand the importance of work experience, but I have also found a few exceptions. Here are my stats/blackground:

-3.77 GPA at the University of Georgia, BA in Banking and Finance
-Extracurricural:The Boys & Girls Club(volunteer mentor), Dance Marathon (volunteer), Habitat for Humanity(group project leader), Relay for Life(alumni relations chair); member of Sigma Chi fraternity (house manager, head of alumni relations, judicial board member)
-I am currently interning with UBS in Atlanta. I have the normal responsibilities of an intern, as well as serving as the Managing Director's assistant.
-The only relevant work experience I have is with my gradnfather's company (hauling and mining industry) where I worked in accounting. I'm not really banking on that being a deal breaker considering it's a family business.
-Interesting facts: Sky dived in the Swiss Alps; compete in marathons and currently training for the Iron Man triathlon.

I have recently discovered the University of Chicago (Booth) will consider applicants with no work experience. I know that technically all schools will "consider" those like me but on Booth's website it states there is a slightly different application process for recent graduates like myself(soon to be). I have taken four GMAT preptests with scores ranging from 680-740. I took the LSAT this past fall and scored a 168. The Managing Director at the UBS office I mentioned earlier received his MBA from Wharton in 77'. Without hesitation he said he would "love" to write a LOR but only on the condition I apply to Wharton, which I told him wouldn't be a problem. One of my finance professors(who used to be the CFO of Kodak) at UGA also said he would write a LOR. I feel like I have the pieces in place to be a good candidate for a top JD/MBA program. Are there any other top MBA programs that I would have a shot at being accepted out of undergrad? Or would it be a smarter move to gain a few years work experience? If I did work for a few years what top schools would be in my reach?

Thank you
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by Lisa Anderson » Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:49 pm
Dear peaches22,

Without knowing your GMAT score nor your rationale for going to business school now as opposed to working first, it is hard to comment on your chances at any school. Generally speaking, applicants with no work experience after college need to meet a higher standard. To be competitive, you will need to have a GMAT score in the 700s, maintain/increase your GPA, have a solid rationale for business school now, and reasonable career goals. Also, you will definitely need letters of recommendation from UBS and your family business (but not from a family member), preferably from your direct supervisors or a manager that worked closely with you. Finally, I encourage you to spend some time researching programs that you feel are a good match for your career goals. You might read our sticky on school selection for helpful tips.

Good luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

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