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mg233
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MBA Later or MS Commerce Now? Updated on: 14 May 2012, 22:28
Originally posted by mg233 on 13 Mar 2011, 19:37.
Last edited by mg233 on 14 May 2012, 22:28, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi everyone,

Would you do an MS program for a leg up in your career or wait for an MBA program?

I'm debating whether to do the MS Commerce (Marketing & Management track) at the University of Virginia or to wait for an MBA. I have an average university background and I want to be eventually be able to get into a good MBA program.

Here's info on my background

Average State University
- 3.9 GPA

GRE: 1310
- Quantitative: 640 (57%)
- Verbal: 670 (95%)


I was hoping the program through UVa would lead to a more challenging analyst role with a starting income of around $50k.

The placement statistics are good, but not stellar:

UVa - MS Commerce Job Placement within 6 months
76% employed
Financial Services: $58,875 average base salary
Marketing & Management: $45,000 average base salary

I see the benefit of the MS Commerce program, but I also think it could be advantageous to start my career immediately and take a few math courses to improve my GRE and/or GMAT scores. Does anyone have an opinion on this?
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piggles
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MBA Later or MS Commerce Now? 14 Mar 2011, 13:02
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I don't think many of us will have any insight into a MS Commerce degree. However, based on the salary numbers you provided, I'm not sure you're going to make much more by earning that degree, but I don't know what your other prospects are. You've got a great GPA. Given 3-4 solid years of work experience and a strong GMAT, there's no reason you can't earn an excellent MBA.

Also, you'll need to take the GMAT or re-take the GRE. You're quant score is going to be pretty low for the top programs.
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mg233
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MBA Later or MS Commerce Now? 14 Mar 2011, 14:15
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Thanks. Do you have any advice for improving my quantitative score? I was thinking about taking some community college courses in algebra and geometry to refresh. I haven't taken a real math class since AP Calc in high school. Stats was useful, but not for the GRE/GMAT.
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MBA Later or MS Commerce Now? 14 Mar 2011, 14:22
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To improve the standardized test scores, I'd get one of the top test prep company's books and get to work. Veritas Prep has a program that will walk you up from the basics, but can apparently be pretty slow relative to Manhattan.

Taking extra courses at community college is a great idea. Schools are going to expect you to be able to perform math up to basic calculus, so I'd recommend taking that at community college and getting an A. Whatever you did in high school doesn't count.
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mg233
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MBA Later or MS Commerce Now? 14 Mar 2011, 14:31
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Good to know. I will look into test prep. Is there an advantage to taking some undergrad math courses at the University of Virginia instead? I'll be living near Charlottesville and the university has a good reputation here.
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MBA Later or MS Commerce Now? 14 Mar 2011, 14:44
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Virginia's got a good reputation all over the country. I would guess that attaching the Virginia name to your transcript would be nice. I'm not sure what the cost would be though. You'll also run into scheduling issues at UVA. Community colleges typically have night/weekend classes and regular universities do not. Just get As and most everyone will be happy.
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mg233
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MBA Later or MS Commerce Now? 14 Mar 2011, 15:11
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Great, thanks for the advice!