Going to business school after law school. Work experience? Forum

[kpuc]

I just graduated from college and I'm looking to get into the MBA/MFA program at NYU (Stern and Tisch film). My parents, however, don't want me to spend 4-5 years getting work experience in a bad economy and want me to go to law school before getting my MBA/MFA. They have assured me that money is no problem (I went to undergrad for about 1/4 of the price due to scholarships so there's money left over). They just want me to get all my credentials while I'm young and have a JD to fall back on.

So my question is, is it easier for law students to get into MBA programs without much work experience in the business world? Because I want to get my MBA/MFA as soon as possible. By going to law school, I'd be giving up 3 years in which I could get work experience. However, I will be working at firms during the summer. So will that count towards my work experience?

[merichard87]

Why do you want the JD if you are so intent on the MBA/MFA? There aren't too many jobs where you be able to use both degrees.

[Grizz]

There are so many things wrong with the above.

A JD isn't really a fallback option.

Pick a JD or business route and do one or the other.

[kpuc]

Why do you want the JD if you are so intent on the MBA/MFA? There aren't too many jobs where you be able to use both degrees.

Because my parents want a fallback option for me. I think they're just convinced that anybody without a JD or an MD are destined to become bums.

They've assured me that money is no issue. If getting a JD will help them sleep comfortably and won't be a financial problem, I'm just going to go along with it to keep the peace.

I'll have to take 4-5 years off between undergrad and business school anyway, so why not go to law school? My concern though is if I'm going to have get 4-5 years of work experience AFTER law school before I can go to business school.

[Grizz]

Why do you want the JD if you are so intent on the MBA/MFA? There aren't too many jobs where you be able to use both degrees.

Because my parents want a fallback option for me. I think they're just convinced that anybody without a JD or an MD are destined to become bums.

They've assured me that money is no issue. If getting a JD will help them sleep comfortably and won't be a financial problem, I'm just going to go along with it to keep the peace.

I'll have to take 4-5 years off between undergrad and business school anyway, so why not go to law school? My concern though is if I'm going to have get 4-5 years of work experience AFTER law school before I can go to business school.

A JD is a terrible fallback option and this whole endeavor sounds like it's going to be a massive waste of time. Your parents are insane for being willing to drop money on this ridiculousness.

[alannak]

I'm a 0L but from everything i've read.. law school is HARD and unpleasant even for people who've been intent on becoming a lawyer since they were born. Apart from money, think of your livelihood! If money isnt an option to attend school, can't you live off of some of that college savings to work for free to get the experience to apply to the programs you really want?

[kpuc]

A JD is a terrible fallback option and this whole endeavor sounds like it's going to be a massive waste of time. Your parents are insane for being willing to drop money on this ridiculousness.

I've tried so many times to explain this to my parents but they're Asian immigrants and I think they're completely out of touch with the modern world. They think of the world as a black-and-white world, where doctors/lawyers live in penthouses while everybody else lives on food stamps. I'm just thankful they didn't scrap my MBA/MFA plan because going into the film industry is not "respectable".

I'm tired of fighting them all the time. Can anyone just tell me whether or not I'd need 4-5 years of working experience after law school to get into business school?

[merichard87]

Your parents are giving you very bad advice. The law market is a mess right now and definitely shouldn't be a fall back option. But to answer your question, you don't need a specific amount of work experience for an MBA program. You just need demonstrated responsibility and leadership experience.

But the bigger point here is that you shouldn't go to law school unless you want to be a lawyer.

[byunbee]

But to answer your question, you don't need a specific amount of work experience for an MBA program. You just need demonstrated responsibility and leadership experience.

Yes, but this is very uncommon. I think it would be very difficult to get into a top program like Stern without any work experience. And I don't see any reason why a b-school would let you substitute law school for work experience.

[trkmantis2]

Most MBA programs will want at least two years of full-time work experience and typically internships don't count. But some schools make exceptions for outstanding applicants so I'd contact the program directly.

[Grizz]

A JD is a terrible fallback option and this whole endeavor sounds like it's going to be a massive waste of time. Your parents are insane for being willing to drop money on this ridiculousness.

I've tried so many times to explain this to my parents but they're Asian immigrants and I think they're completely out of touch with the modern world. They think of the world as a black-and-white world, where doctors/lawyers live in penthouses while everybody else lives on food stamps. I'm just thankful they didn't scrap my MBA/MFA plan because going into the film industry is not "respectable".

I'm tired of fighting them all the time. Can anyone just tell me whether or not I'd need 4-5 years of working experience after law school to get into business school?

My mom is an Asian immigrant and she has managed not to be totally asinine. Someone with brains needs to talk to your folks.