JD/MBA admissions boost to MBA?

[mba4meZZ]

Hi,

Would a JD/MBA applicant have an advantage over a pure MBA applicant in the admissions process?

I would think its possible because you could have a very compelling case for the MBA (to use it as part of your dual degree and move into something like M&A), and also it could show you are not a human calculator/robot (if you can actually be competitive for the JD at the school).

I think the last point is particularly applicable for me as I am applying as an engineer, and I have read a big obstacle for us is showing our "verbal" sides.

Thanks!

[wonderland130]

No , a JD mba is a bit harder to get into since you have to be approved by the mba adcom and the law adcom

[VP_MBA_Guru]

Hi MBA,
Agree with W, will not help your chances and in fact is much harder to get into those programs.

Regards,

N

[Paxton Helms - Kaplan]

While it's true that you have to approved by both programs, in some cases you apply for one degree (say, the MBA) and then, late in your first year, you apply for the second. So, it is not mandatory that you apply for both at the same time. If you are seriously committed to this project, it would might make sense to choose the one in which you think you have the best chance (probably the MBA in your case) and then apply for the JD mid to late in your first year.

As far as showing people that you are human...there are probably more most-effective ways of achieving that goal than applying for a simultaneous JD degree. Your essays, recommendations, and even your work experience can all go a long way towards humanizing you. And, besides, admissions committees see a lot of engineers and are not predisposed to dislike them or see them as automatons.

Let me know if I can provide further thoughts--

Paxton

[mba4meZZ]

If you are seriously committed to this project, it would might make sense to choose the one in which you think you have the best chance

I actually think I have the best chance at the JD. My GPA and LSAT are both extremely high and numbers are apparently the driving factor in JD admissions, far more than MBA. In fact, it seems a HLS admit is almost guaranteed above certain thresholds, around 172/3.85 (https://harvard.lawschoolnumbers.com/stats).

I am still very interested in the MBA, however, and think I will be able to get a very high GMAT. I was just wondering if applying to a JD at the same time could be seen as a positive, which apparently it might not be.

Here is another question..how can I evaluate my engineering work experience? Are there certain things ad-coms are looking for?

Thank you very much for the responses everyone!