Harvard vs. Chicago vs. Columbia vs. Michigan Forum

[SuperCoolDude]

hujl

[presidentspivey]

Hi,

Need some help deciding between the following offers. 175 LSAT/3.6x GPA

Harvard - haven't heard from fin aid yet. Not expecting very much.
Chicago/Columbia - $50k scholarship
Michigan - $120k scholarship
Duke/Northwestern - $75k scholarship
NYU - haven't heard

Looking to do a JD/MBA program. Did not apply to MBA programs this year, only the law schools. Goal is to work in BigLaw afterwards and maybe clerkship if possible. Do not have a location preference. Have about $100k in savings from working.

Thanks!

With just generic biglaw goals, I'd go Michigan unless we get an update from NYU.

[Dcc617]

Hi,

Need some help deciding between the following offers. 175 LSAT/3.6x GPA

Harvard - haven't heard from fin aid yet. Not expecting very much.
Chicago/Columbia - $50k scholarship
Michigan - $120k scholarship
Duke/Northwestern - $75k scholarship
NYU - haven't heard

Looking to do a JD/MBA program. Did not apply to MBA programs this year, only the law schools. Goal is to work in BigLaw afterwards and maybe clerkship if possible. Do not have a location preference. Have about $100k in savings from working.

Thanks!

With just generic biglaw goals, I'd go Michigan unless we get an update from NYU.

Yep.

[existentialcrisis]

I assume the clerkship goals mean you want to litigate, so why the MBA?

[SuperCoolDude]

I just want clerkship cause I heard it's prestigious. MBA is for option value.

[quiver]

I just want clerkship cause I heard it's prestigious. MBA is for option value.

This is dumb, but you get points for honesty. I vote for Mich.

[eck456]

an MBA is not worth the money unless you get prestige, so I'd vote NU bc Kellogg kicks the butt of most of the other MBA programs you'd be looking at, since neither Stern nor Columbia is that awesome MBA-rankings wise, Michigan isn't as much a thing and it sounds like Harvard will mean a ton of debt

Edited to add: what I mean is the hard set of skills from an MBA is mostly stuff you can pick up on your own, and it's crazy ass expensive. for it to be meaningful enough to your trajectory that the networking/ resume build is worth it you need a top 5 program, and the others except HBS aren't going to open very much to you that you wouldn't get with just the JD and work experience

Edited once again: just saw chi/ booth is an option, that would work if the extra $25k @ Chi versus NU is ok with your debt ratio

[SuperCoolDude]

I've asked my coworkers and they've echoed most of your sentiments. Mainly that anything outside of M7 is not worth going to (maybe even CBS is not worth going to either). Do you know how hard it is to get into the MBA program if you've already been admitted to the JD program? I was at NU's ASW and the Kellogg admissions director said that it's definitely not guaranteed (they had 7 or 8 people apply and he said 4-6 get in each year).

I'm currently leaning towards Harvard primarily cause HBS pwns all the other b schools. But then again I don't know if I could get in even applying from HLS. I don't think debt will be a problem long-term since I'm sure I could make it back eventually.

[SuperCoolDude]

Does anyone know how Harvard's LIPP works with regards to debt from joint degree programs?

[dabigchina]

I just want clerkship cause I heard it's prestigious. MBA is for option value.

That's a really expensive option. I wouldn't do it.

[UVA2B]

Does anyone know how Harvard's LIPP works with regards to debt from joint degree programs?

This is a really odd question: you want to go strictly into professional degree programs, are focusing on biglaw with the option of corporate work, and want to know if LIPP will cover loans from a joint degree program? Further explanation of your rationale is needed here, because it makes zero sense.

[jbagelboy]

an MBA is not worth the money unless you get prestige, so I'd vote NU bc Kellogg kicks the butt of most of the other MBA programs you'd be looking at, since neither Stern nor Columbia is that awesome MBA-rankings wise, Michigan isn't as much a thing and it sounds like Harvard will mean a ton of debt

Edited to add: what I mean is the hard set of skills from an MBA is mostly stuff you can pick up on your own, and it's crazy ass expensive. for it to be meaningful enough to your trajectory that the networking/ resume build is worth it you need a top 5 program, and the others except HBS aren't going to open very much to you that you wouldn't get with just the JD and work experience

Edited once again: just saw chi/ booth is an option, that would work if the extra $25k @ Chi versus NU is ok with your debt ratio

Do you know much about b-school? There are really four tiers that are all basically internally indistinguishable. Wharton/SBS/HBS, rest of M7 (which includes CBS, Kellogg, and Booth), the remaining decent MBA programs, and then regional business schools that don't place into high finance/consulting. The US news rankings do not connote anything meaningful

[teleste]

Do you know much about b-school? There are really four tiers that are all basically internally indistinguishable. Wharton/SBS/HBS, rest of M7 (which includes CBS, Kellogg, and Booth), the remaining decent MBA programs, and then regional business schools that don't place into high finance/consulting. The US news rankings do not connote anything meaningful

This.

And also, there isn't nearly as much of a need to whore yourself out to 'prestige' if you're pursuing a career based on your MBA--it's much more important to know what kind of career you want (functional role/geography/industry) and then go to a program that is a good fit.

Here's a sample school from each group jbagelboy ID'd.

(Median Base Salary / Median Signing Bonus)

From Harvard/Wharton/Stanford
Wharton - ($125,000 / $25,000)

From the rest of the M7
Columbia - ($125,000 / $25,000)

From the "rest of the decent programs"
Texas - ($115,000 / $25,000)

From the "regional business schools that don't place into high finance/consulting"
Vanderbilt - ($110,000* / $25,000*) *Means, not medians

FWIW, it only takes 2/3 of the time to pursue an MBA vs. a JD, it's hella more fun (unless you're dead set on MBB or high finance), and there's MUCH less stress when recruiting because there's all kinds of opportunities you can pursue...not just "Biglaw or Bust."

We had several "recovering JDs" in my MBA program who were desperate to get out of the legal field. One was even a Harvard grad.

FWIW: I went to one of the "regional" schools...the big scholly money persuaded me to take a hard pass on the 'elite' options, and I don't regret it at all.

[RedPurpleBlue]

Do you know much about b-school? There are really four tiers that are all basically internally indistinguishable. Wharton/SBS/HBS, rest of M7 (which includes CBS, Kellogg, and Booth), the remaining decent MBA programs, and then regional business schools that don't place into high finance/consulting. The US news rankings do not connote anything meaningful

This.

And also, there isn't nearly as much of a need to whore yourself out to 'prestige' if you're pursuing a career based on your MBA--it's much more important to know what kind of career you want (functional role/geography/industry) and then go to a program that is a good fit.

Here's a sample school from each group jbagelboy ID'd.

(Median Base Salary / Median Signing Bonus)

From Harvard/Wharton/Stanford
Wharton - ($125,000 / $25,000)

From the rest of the M7
Columbia - ($125,000 / $25,000)

From the "rest of the decent programs"
Texas - ($115,000 / $25,000)

From the "regional business schools that don't place into high finance/consulting"
Vanderbilt - ($110,000* / $25,000*) *Means, not medians

FWIW, it only takes 2/3 of the time to pursue an MBA vs. a JD, it's hella more fun (unless you're dead set on MBB or high finance), and there's MUCH less stress when recruiting because there's all kinds of opportunities you can pursue...not just "Biglaw or Bust."

We had several "recovering JDs" in my MBA program who were desperate to get out of the legal field. One was even a Harvard grad.

FWIW: I went to one of the "regional" schools...the big scholly money persuaded me to take a hard pass on the 'elite' options, and I don't regret it at all.

+1 M7 or bust is even dumber than T13/14 or bust.

[SuperCoolDude]

That's also part of the reason why I want a JD and do BigLaw. I'm already making $125k with just an undergrad degree so I don't see the point of just getting an MBA and making $125k again after graduating.

[kingpin101]

That's also part of the reason why I want a JD and do BigLaw. I'm already making $125k with just an undergrad degree so I don't see the point of just getting an MBA and making $125k again after graduating.

This reasoning is pretty silly. Yes biglaw salaries are higher but (1) you're only gonna be in biglaw for a couple years, after which you'll likely take a pay cut, and (2) a large percent of post-MBA compensation is in bonuses and perks, and compensation can increase rapidly.

[SuperCoolDude]

Would you take Chicago 150k over Harvard?

[cavalier1138]

I'm extremely confused by your goals. Do you want to be a lawyer, or just get paid lots and lots of money?

[landshoes]

That's also part of the reason why I want a JD and do BigLaw. I'm already making $125k with just an undergrad degree so I don't see the point of just getting an MBA and making $125k again after graduating.

lol why would you ever go to law school

[SuperCoolDude]

I'm extremely confused by your goals. Do you want to be a lawyer, or just get paid lots and lots of money?

The latter. I want to be part of the top 1%. Get rich or die trying mentality. I will do whatever job is necessary. My friend tells me PE is good for that.

[KMart]

That's also part of the reason why I want a JD and do BigLaw. I'm already making $125k with just an undergrad degree so I don't see the point of just getting an MBA and making $125k again after graduating.

makes me think this thread is a joke because honestly don't go unless, for some reason, you completely hate your job. i can't imagine why you want to go. you seem to have it made pretty well off.

[SuperCoolDude]

It's not a joke I just work as a software engineer at a Big 4 tech company. Most of my friends also make well into the mid to upper six figures without having to work more than 40 hours a week. But it seems like you top out at $200k as a software engineer unless you go into management and I'm not satisfied with that outcome. I'm good at taking tests so I took the LSAT and GMAT and am trying to use that for my benefit.

[RSN]

It's not a joke I just work as a software engineer at a Big 4 tech company. Most of my friends also make well into the mid to upper six figures without having to work more than 40 hours a week. But it seems like you top out at $200k as a software engineer unless you go into management and I'm not satisfied with that outcome. I'm good at taking tests so I took the LSAT and GMAT and am trying to use that for my benefit.

Do not go to law school unless you want to practice law. Full stop.

[KMart]

It's not a joke I just work as a software engineer at a Big 4 tech company. Most of my friends also make well into the mid to upper six figures without having to work more than 40 hours a week. But it seems like you top out at $200k as a software engineer unless you go into management and I'm not satisfied with that outcome. I'm good at taking tests so I took the LSAT and GMAT and am trying to use that for my benefit.

Do not go to law school unless you want to practice law. Full stop.

[SuperCoolDude]

Why?