An ethical question...

[rdubb]

I am a litigation cosultant (CPA) and am looking to apply programs with strong accounting and finance specializations to further this career path, with the long-term goal of being an expert witness. I feel like I can craft a pretty good narrative explaining these career goals and how an mba would contribute.

However, in researching schools, I have also become interested in programs that specialize in healthcare management. I believe using some unique experiences that I could also carft a well-written personal statement and be happy pursuing this type of career.

So my question is...is it ethical to apply to one school explaining the one career track, and apply to another school with something totally different? I am not a conspiracy theorist thinking that these schools have the time to compare applications with each other, and I feel comfortable that I am not lying to make my application better, I can just see myself in different directions and wanted to seek some input from others. Any thoughts, experiences?

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear rdubb,

It is not unethical if you are truly interested in both paths. If you were just saying something because you thought that was what the committee wanted to read, then that would be different (it would by lying). So if the career track makes sense for one program due to an elective track or ties to that industry, then use it. The other option is to write about both in terms of liking your current path and needing the MBA to advance as well as wanting to explore another path.

Good luck,
Lisa