JD/MBA Question - 2015-16 Cycle Forum

[Cochran]

I've been interested in getting a JD-MBA for quite sometime. I've had a passion for litigation since HS mock trial, and ever since there's never been a doubt that that's what I've wanted to do. But after starting up a small business and gaining a growing interest in finance, I think corporate litigation in particular most fits my interests. The problem currently is that I'm taking the LSAT in October, and am planning to take the GRE immediately after in late October (sending in my apps before Thanksgiving). Most MBA programs start their first round of applicants in late September/early October. That would mean that I would be forced to Apply in the second round. All of this leaves me with a plethora of questions:

1. I've read that the MBA 2nd round application is much less favorable than the first round, is this true? If so, to what extent?
2. Does applying for a JD/MBA in anyway affect my admissions to the JD program?
3. Is it easier to apply during the first year of law school? if so, are admissions more or less favorable?

To any current JD/MBAs, I'd love to get some general info on how your admissions process went, any feedback you could give, and what you think of the JD/MBA in general.

Much thanks!

[twenty]

1. I've read that the MBA 2nd round application is much less favorable than the first round, is this true? If so, to what extent?

Not really, certainly not "much less." This might be a better question for WSO, though, because your mileage may vary by school.

2. Does applying for a JD/MBA in anyway affect my admissions to the JD program?

Figure no. You're never going to get this overwhelmingly obvious boost from applying to the JD/MBA program, otherwise people would apply to both programs and just drop the second part after the first year.

3. Is it easier to apply during the first year of law school? if so, are admissions more or less favorable?

Partly. A lot of schools have a "soft" work experience requirement that they'll overlook for K-JDs/near K-JDs under the reasoning that the JD is (if you squint at it) kind of like getting post-grad work experience.

[Instinctive]

I'm not sure a JD/MBA is a good idea if you just want to do corporate litigation. MBA may actually hurt you because you'll be viewed as a flight risk. Based on talking to alums who have the degree, it tends to be utilized best as an MBA with the JD as added value, not the other way around.

Not saying it can't work that way, just that you may be wasting a year and $80k of debt, plus the opportunity cost of not working that year.


That said, Round 2 is more difficult, but the pronounced difference is round 3. A strong app in round 2 will still have about as good a shot as if it had been in round 1. In round 3, only the most exceptional applicant is likely to get in because many spots are filled.

The bar for admission if you apply from the first year of one school or the other...by a little bit. As in, if you need to score 85/100 on an imaginary scale to get accepted, but you're already at one school, you may only need an 83 or 84. That can be the difference, but sometimes I think people act like it's an auto-admission once you're at the law school. It's not.

Feel free to ask more questions -> I'm a JD/MBA at S.

[Mack.Hambleton]

^depends on the law school I've heard GSB is harder to get into cross campus than HBS and others

[kartelite]

I'm not sure a JD/MBA is a good idea if you just want to do corporate litigation. MBA may actually hurt you because you'll be viewed as a flight risk. Based on talking to alums who have the degree, it tends to be utilized best as an MBA with the JD as added value, not the other way around.

Not saying it can't work that way, just that you may be wasting a year and $80k of debt, plus the opportunity cost of not working that year.


That said, Round 2 is more difficult, but the pronounced difference is round 3. A strong app in round 2 will still have about as good a shot as if it had been in round 1. In round 3, only the most exceptional applicant is likely to get in because many spots are filled.

The bar for admission if you apply from the first year of one school or the other...by a little bit. As in, if you need to score 85/100 on an imaginary scale to get accepted, but you're already at one school, you may only need an 83 or 84. That can be the difference, but sometimes I think people act like it's an auto-admission once you're at the law school. It's not.

Feel free to ask more questions -> I'm a JD/MBA at S.

Opportunity cost isn't a factor if you do a 3-year program (although it could be a good bit pricier depending on school, though at Y it ends up being about the same unlike Penn and Columbia). I'd say about half the people I know end up going into law, some firms give you a bump at second year pay for JD/MBA (which means it carries over into subsequent years and could easily make up the cost if you spend 3-5 years). I was more MBA inclined with one-year JD add-on (wasn't too much extra due to LS $$), so a little different perspective though. I think it's generally worth it if you're thinking about going into business later or having a much more robust network, but I'd hesitate if you want to be a lawyer for the foreseeable future and it's a big cost in opportunity or $.

FWIW I think generally the higher-ranked program tends to "call the shots" when it comes to admissions, i.e. YLS cares less about SOM than vice versa. IME a fellowship offer at SOM wasn't enough to get me off the waitlist into YLS although I asked SOM admissions to see if they could talk to the law school, but I'm guessing I could have swung it the other way.