Stanford Law or Forum

[1988AndX]

McKinsey?

Which would lead to a better career path in terms of money and stability?
For Stanford Law, the standard path seems to be law school -> public interest/government/biglaw -> unknown
For McKinsey, the standard path seems to be Business Analyst -> business school (hopefully Stanford or Harvard) -> Associate -> unknown

For the short term:
Although law school costs a lot, being a Business Analyst (and even first- and second-year Associate) doesn't pay much compared to working in biglaw. It seems that stability is about the same, with both < medicine and > investment banking.

Therefore, it seems that the difference would lie in the long term returns of these two options. Which has better potential long term (i.e. 20 years down the road)?

Or am I over thinking this and it really depends on specific goals and interests of each person?

[BruceWayne]

McKinsey?

Which would lead to a better career path in terms of money and stability?
For Stanford Law, the standard path seems to be law school -> public interest/government/biglaw -> unknown
For McKinsey, the standard path seems to be Business Analyst -> business school (hopefully Stanford or Harvard) -> Associate -> unknown

For the short term:
Although law school costs a lot, being a Business Analyst (and even first- and second-year Associate) doesn't pay much compared to working in biglaw. It seems that stability is about the same, with both > medicine and < investment banking.

Therefore, it seems that the difference would lie in the long term returns of these two options. Which has better potential long term (i.e. 20 years down the road)?

Or am I over thinking this and it really depends on specific goals and interests of each person?

This is entirely dependent on your personal goals. Although I think the real answer is to ask Stanford law for a 2 year deferral and then work at Mckinsey for 2 years. Although personally I would hate working Mckinsey (long hours with lots of travel and very quant focused job).

[20130312]

Jesus, humblebrag much?

[Nelson]

Jesus, humblebrag much?

Yeah. I have a hard time believing an adult can't make this Sophie's choice by themselves so they're turning to anonymous internet strangers for help.

[20130312]

Another one of OP's greatest hits.

[1988AndX]

Jesus, humblebrag much?

Yeah. I have a hard time believing an adult can't make this Sophie's choice by themselves so they're turning to anonymous internet strangers for help.

Opportunity cost is high either way. Just want to get as many perspectives as possible. Asking for perspectives isn't the same as looking to make a decision based on what strangers write.

[icpb]

It really depends on your priorities. If you are interested in law (or even financial niches such as distressed debt, M&A, etc.), Stanford Law + a couple of years of biglaw can be valuable. However, if you are set on consulting, then working as a McKinsey Business Analyst could be an appropriate option, even though making Associate at McKinsey from Stanford Law could still be a nice deal (and a likely one if the economy picks up), considering your law school cost would be offset by the low compensation during your time as a Business Analyst.

[Blessedassurance]

It seems that stability is about the same, with both > medicine and < investment banking.

What does the above mean?

Are you saying stability is greater than medicine and less than investment banking?