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Seriously considering trying to get into Kellogg and complete the 3 year JD-MBA.

Relevant Info
0L
In at NU Law
Confident in my GMAT abilities [however i obviously have a time crunch on my hands - I have done zero prep for gmat although many sections are similar to LSAT and I will PWN Quant]
Job experience is topnotch and a typical feeder to top MBA schools
Love IP and wanted to practice patent law
Definitely could see self being in-house counsel at large co a few years post graduation

Credentials
Undergrad Degrees in Comp Sci and Electrical Engineering
MS Electrical Engineering - Top 5 Engineering School
Nearly 7 years of Engineering / Program Management Experience

Looking for arguments for and against the JD-MBA vs JD at NU.

Bump - Poll added

I don't think the MBA would really add anything for what you want to practice. I would stick with just the JD.

I can see why you say the MBA adds little to the IP job path. However, given the programs are both 3 years in length, I'm struggling to find a reason why I should not try to do both.

Besides, with an in-house managing IP position as the prospective career path, I would imagine the MBA turns into a plus as the job would essentially boil down to supervising / managing internal and external patent attorneys and aligning the work with the strategic direction of the company.

Am I missing a big minus here?

I have considered doing a JD-MBA but everyone here will tell you it's a bad idea, or at least that it's a waste of time. I think the best thing about the JD-MBA combo is that extra flexibility. Or something. And also it looks cool

I think the JD-MBA is worth it at NU. It really seems to be a boost at certain V10 firms.

rayiner wrote:I think the JD-MBA is worth it at NU. It really seems to be a boost at certain V10 firms.

+1. If you can get in, I say do it.

World B. Free wrote:

rayiner wrote:I think the JD-MBA is worth it at NU. It really seems to be a boost at certain V10 firms.

+1. If you can get in, I say do it.

Have either of you personally elected this option?

The only downside I see is if your grades were to suffer as a result of cramming a JD and MBA in 3 years

URMdan wrote:The only downside I see is if your grades were to suffer as a result of cramming a JD and MBA in 3 years

this is pretty big IMO. Especially since a lot of JD-MBA combos are 4 years [if I'm not mistaken] vs. NU's 3 yr program. But other than that, I am all for it

MBA will not help for patent law. Im a 2L at NU Law and considered a joint MS at McCormick. After discussing with people in the know, I concluded it's a waste for IP, unless you don't have the eng'g reqs to practice before the USPTO.

Best adive: Go talk to your personal NU Career Strategist ASAP. I think David is a good resource in that office.
Many of my NU classmates have weekly 1hr meetings about these very issues. No joke.

Be sure to take the NUvention courses (LinkRemoved) that are evenly divided among JD, M.Eng'g, MD, and MBA students.

dcpolitico wrote:Be sure to take the NUvention courses (LinkRemoved) that are evenly divided among JD, M.Eng'g, MD, and MBA students.

Oh wow, that's awesome.

Keep in mind that the additional MBA will cost you the same amount as if you had gotten it separately. If you want to practice IP law, it's not going to do you any good, and you've got to consider if the extra $60,000+ cost is worth it. If you do want to one day go in-house, I think your law experience will speak more volumes than whether or not you've got a business degree.

dcpolitico wrote:MBA will not help for patent law. Im a 2L at NU Law and considered a joint MS at McCormick. After discussing with people in the know, I concluded it's a waste for IP, unless you don't have the eng'g reqs to practice before the USPTO.

Best adive: Go talk to your personal NU Career Strategist ASAP. I think David is a good resource in that office.
Many of my NU classmates have weekly 1hr meetings about these very issues. No joke.

This is surprising to me. I was under the impression IP firms love graduate engineering degrees and nearly expect them.

Perhaps the cost + opportunity cost of additional time just doesn't payout in the end.

Best advice: Go talk to your personal NU Career Strategist ASAP. I think David is a good resource in that office.
Many of my NU classmates have weekly 1hr meetings about these very issues. No joke.

I will try this. Hopefully they will consult 0Ls.

They will. They did for me . NU Law might have the highest staffed career center in the T14. It's no coincidence roughly 60% of 3Ls have offers at top big law firms. I think the career center "strategists" (their official title) also have a hand in the admissions decisions.

rayiner wrote:I think the JD-MBA is worth it at NU. It really seems to be a boost at certain V10 firms.

But this guy wants patent law. It seems like a waste of time and money.

Also why dirty up a Kellogg degree with a NU law degree. (I've pissed off several JD/MBAs asking that question).