BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Is doing MBA a good idea for PhD with 4+ post PhD experience

Launched April 26, 2006
This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:13 pm
Thanked: 1 times
Followed by:1 members

Is doing MBA a good idea for PhD with 4+ post PhD experience

by rajiv » Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:16 am
Hi Amy,

I have M.Sc and PhD in Biochemistry from Australian -Tier 1 University with 1.5 years of predoctoral academic research experience and 3.6 years of postdoctoral academic/Industry research experience. Presently, I am working as a Senior Scientist in a Drug Discovery company in Bangalore, India. Prior to this I have worked in academic labs in US and Australia. I am interested in a career transition within life sciences/ bio-pharma industry from research to life sciences management or consulting, or VC. I planning to sit for the GMAT within next 2-3 months and then apply for MBA for next year 2010. During my postdoctoral experience, I have been managing a team of research assistants, carrying out independent projects. I have published 7 peer-reviewed articles in high impact international science journals and more than 10 various conference articles. I have received several scholarships and awards, I am an active member of various scientific professional organizations.

I have done some research about MBA schools providing specialized MBA degree for life scientist. I could locate few business schools:
1. Johnson school- Cornell accelerated MBA for Scientists and Engineers
2. University of Alabama's MBA for scientists (GMAT not required for PhD's)
3. Rady Business School UCSD-started in 2005-(GMAT not required for PhD's)
4. Carey Business School Johans Hopkin- Satrting this year (GMAT not required for PhD's)

-Please suggest me, Is it good to do specialized MBA like these to make a career change within the life sciences industry from research to management? Are these 1 year MBA are as good as two year traditional MBA?

-What about the reputation of above schools? Since UAB's tuition is very low and they don't need GMAT, it looks better to me? but I am not sure about the reputation of this school?

-Can you suggest any other business schools (outside US as well) offering MBA good for life scientist and has high impact ranking?
With my kind of profile what GMAT score I should get, if I plan to go for Top 10 schools?

-And last but not least Is it a good idea to do MBA after PhD when I have a secured job?

You feedback would help in deciding my career path.
With Regards,
Raj :?:
Top
Source: — Ask Stacy Blackman |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 3845
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pm
Location: Houston, TX
Thanked: 442 times
Followed by:148 members

by Lisa Anderson » Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:10 am
Dear Raj,

I think you will benefit from a MBA to make the transition to your desired career path of consulting or VC. If the specialized programs offer the curriculum and career connections for these paths, then they are probably a good fit. Most schools place predominantly in their surrounding geographical region, so keep that in mind when looking at schools. It is not to say you can't get a job outside the region, but you will have to work a little harder to make it happen. I encourage you to visit our sticky on school selection for additional tips on identifying programs that might be a good match for you.

As for whether or not to leave your job, that is a personal decision only you can make. I think it is possible you could secure a consulting opportunity with a MBA, but returning to business school will make that transition easier for you.

Good luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

Learn more about me
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:13 pm
Thanked: 1 times
Followed by:1 members

Is doing MBA a good idea for PhD with 4+ post PhD experience

by rajiv » Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:24 am
Lisa Anderson wrote:Dear Raj,

I think you will benefit from a MBA to make the transition to your desired career path of consulting or VC. If the specialized programs offer the curriculum and career connections for these paths, then they are probably a good fit. Most schools place predominantly in their surrounding geographical region, so keep that in mind when looking at schools. It is not to say you can't get a job outside the region, but you will have to work a little harder to make it happen. I encourage you to visit our sticky on school selection for additional tips on identifying programs that might be a good match for you.

As for whether or not to leave your job, that is a personal decision only you can make. I think it is possible you could secure a consulting opportunity with a MBA, but returning to business school will make that transition easier for you.

Good luck,
Lisa
Thanks Lisa,
Thanks very much for such an informative reply. As you said that geographical region is important, Is it a good idea to join Randy school in UC San Diego or Johns Hopkin's Carey Business school. Both California and Washington regions I guess have the maximum number biotechnology/pharma industries. The only problem I see is that both of these programs are very new and doesn't have any ranking rankings or accreditation? If you know something about these schools, can you please let me about their reputation. Is it always preferable to do MBA from a top ranking school?

-Do you think doing an Executive MBA would be a good option for my case?

-If I target Johnson school- Cornell accelerated MBA for Scientists and Engineers, what kind of GMAT sore I need with my profile?

Thanks,
Raj
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 3845
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pm
Location: Houston, TX
Thanked: 442 times
Followed by:148 members

by Lisa Anderson » Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:02 pm
Dear Raj,

Which school is best depends on what you want from a school and which aspects are a priority for you. You have to determine what is most important and then rank those items. Then compare each school to your list to determine your rank of the schools. The schools' class profiles will give you the best idea of where your GMAT score needs to be as it should be above the average to be competitive.

As for executive programs, these are designed for working professionals with over 10 years of experience looking to advance in their current career path. Students work while going to school. From what you posted, that does not appear to be the best match for you as you are looking to make a significant career change and would benefit from an internship.

Good luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

Learn more about me
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 7:30 pm

by trdrvic2010 » Wed Aug 04, 2010 8:18 pm
Hi Lisa,
I am in a similar situation,
I am a PhD graduate from UCLA in engineering (3.9 GPA) and have an undergraduate degree in engineering from a top engineering school in India. I have been working as a trader in a top international trading firm in Chicago for 3 years and am planning to apply for Fall 2011. I am planning to stay in Finance after I graduate and look for roles in sales/trading or portfolio management.
The recommendations I can get are from academia and an ex trader/mentor.
I was wondering if you could evaluate my profile and recommend me schools I could apply to.
Thanks
Lisa Anderson wrote:Dear Raj,

I think you will benefit from a MBA to make the transition to your desired career path of consulting or VC. If the specialized programs offer the curriculum and career connections for these paths, then they are probably a good fit. Most schools place predominantly in their surrounding geographical region, so keep that in mind when looking at schools. It is not to say you can't get a job outside the region, but you will have to work a little harder to make it happen. I encourage you to visit our sticky on school selection for additional tips on identifying programs that might be a good match for you.

As for whether or not to leave your job, that is a personal decision only you can make. I think it is possible you could secure a consulting opportunity with a MBA, but returning to business school will make that transition easier for you.

Good luck,
Lisa
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 3845
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pm
Location: Houston, TX
Thanked: 442 times
Followed by:148 members

by Lisa Anderson » Fri Aug 06, 2010 7:31 am
Dear trdrvic2010,

I encourage you to visit our sticky on school selection for tips on identifying programs that are the right match for you. School selection is an individual choice as the school that is right for one person is not always the right one for another. Since you are looking to stay in finance, there are a plethora of options at many levels of competitiveness out there. Thus putting together the right mix of target schools should be fairly easy once you have determined your personal criteria in what you want your MBA program to offer.

Good luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

Learn more about me
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1