JD/MBA smarter to do if your at a lower tier law school? Forum

[Aeroplane]

Anecdote: I have an MS in Operations Research* that was offered in the business school of the university where I got it (not a "prestigious" school but a locally respected state school), and a couple firm interviewers mistook it at first glance for an MBA, presumably on seeing the word "business" in the line item. Reactions were positive/complimentary before I set them straight. Nobody was concerned that I wasn't serious about law. But I also don't think it would've been anything close to a game changer for them, just a nice "soft."

*actually program has a different name but it's unique & don't wanna out myself.

[Oblomov]

You think that a JD as a "supplement" is worth two years of schooling and 100K?

Joint degree = 1 year extra for most places, with at least a few being doable in 3 years. It's also nowhere near 100k for most people. [/quote]

No, I don't think there's a single place where it's one extra year. An MBA is normally two years. A JD/MBA is usually four. Four minus two equals two, not one. You'd be correct had he said he wanted to "supplement" a JD with an MBA, but that's not what he said. It'd be two years of extra schooling which would be close to 100k.

[AngryAvocado]

You think that a JD as a "supplement" is worth two years of schooling and 100K?

Joint degree = 1 year extra for most places, with at least a few being doable in 3 years. It's also nowhere near 100k for most people.

No, I don't think there's a single place where it's one extra year. An MBA is normally two years. A JD/MBA is usually four. Four minus two equals two, not one. You'd be correct had he said he wanted to "supplement" a JD with an MBA, but that's not what he said. It'd be two years of extra schooling which would be close to 100k.

If I understood the poster correctly, he's already decided to pursue a JD. So yes, in that sense, an MBA joint degree would be one extra year--not two.

Second, I know for a fact that several schools offer a three year JD/MBA. NU, Penn, Yale, Indiana are just the ones I know of, but I'm sure there are more.

[dannykool]

I think the potential for an MBA to help differentiate you from a sea of other lower tier graduates easily outweighs the risk of being perceived as a flight risk. To be honest, it's unlikely that you'll find a job that pays well coming from those schools anyhow.

That said, I think you'll probably have better luck focusing on MBA prospects and using the JD as a supplement. The business side of things isn't exactly thriving, but I think the potential for upward mobility if you're willing to work hard enough is much greater there than in law. Just my 2 cents, but that's what I'd do if I were in your shoes.

Actually this is quite an interesting point made here. Using it as a supplement and focusing on MBA prospects. Especially since the poster has decided to go in for a law degree anyway. With or without work experience, the combo surely looks better than a lower ranked school.

[yoitsmebenny]

What would they teach you in biz school that would make you a better attorney?

I take it you've never taken a business class. Having an understanding of accounting, financial reporting, etc. are immensely helpful in understanding not only client issues, but also understanding the economics at work at your own employer. A lot of business school is focused on team projects as well, which will help you learn to deal with group case work more effectively.

[dukelawguy144]

dude, low tier JD and low tier MBA are suicide in this economy. A combination of the both may (very slight chance) give you a chance at a mediocre life (after loan payments). I would only suggest this route if you are getting some $$$

[Mirrored]

I think it really does not make much sense.

1) Law firms will think that you are going to leave them to go to business and may be reluctant to employ you.
2) Businesses will want you to have in house experience which would be hard to get due to 1.
3) It will be more difficult to get meaningful summer positions.

I have a JD/MBA interning for me. Brilliant guy (top 5%). He's pretty worried about his prospects. I think he'll be fine and he's going to have some strong backing from us in connections so we'll see.

I think you can work on deals with either the JD or the MBA. You might want to just get a JD and get an accounting cert instead, it's more flexible and less expensive.