Masters in Management Science and Engineering vs. Working

[markiv]

Hi Stacy,

I am a third year undergraduate at Stanford, and I hope to pursue an MBA at some point in the future. Currently, I am trying to decide what to do after finishing my undergraduate studies in June 2007. I can either join the one-year Master's program in Management Science and Engineering at Stanford or I can start working. I am leaning towards the MS in MS&E program, but if I do get a good full-time job offer next fall (I am interested in investment banking or consulting), I am at odds at what path to take. I will be interning at Morgan Stanley this summer, and I have a 3.6 GPA, so the chances of me getting a full-time offer next fall at a top management consultancy or investment bank are pretty good. However, if I do take the Masters path, I can still get a good job after finishing that program, just one year later. Which path do you think would put me in a good position for future acceptance to a top MBA program? Do you think the MS in Management Science & Engineering is redundant for someone who wants to eventually go to business school?

Vik

[Stacy Blackman]

An MBA program will value actual work experience over additional academic experience. The bulk of what you will be learning in your Masters program will not be as relevant to a business school application as the experiences you will gain on the job. However, if your longer term career goals will be better served by the Masters than by going into banking or consulting, you should follow that path. It may absolutely make sense for you to acquire that degree if it will help you in the longer term.