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Fosterizer
Posts: 100
Updated on: 30 Nov 2015, 18:29
Originally posted by Fosterizer on 29 Nov 2015, 22:03.
Last edited by Fosterizer on 30 Nov 2015, 18:29, edited 1 time in total.
Last edited by Fosterizer on 30 Nov 2015, 18:29, edited 1 time in total.
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Hey guys,
I've been fortunate to be accepted into Columbia's J-Term program starting this January, and debating whether or not it would be worth it. I would be basically paying out of pocket, but thankfully I have enough cash that I won't go too much (if any) in debt. My background and motivations for pursuing an MBA are below. I have loved reading and posting on the applicant threads, but now would love to hear any of your thoughts or suggestions! Thanks
Background
I went to a non-HYP ivy in engineering, worked in quant finance for a while, and have been at a prestigious pre-IPO startup (Dropbox/AirBnB/Uber) for a couple of years in analytics. My college GPA was pretty bad (slightly below 3.0 - I had, I felt, legit reasons for it), and my GMAT was 720. However, I'm in a pretty good spot right now, making more than the median salary (not incl. bonuses) out of Columbia, plus pre-IPO equity (which is obviously very valuable). This is my second year applying to b-school - I got into Duke, Ross last year (and dinged from Booth/Kellogg), but ultimately decided not go to either as it would probably be a perceived "step-down". I came to the conclusion that only an M7 would be worth it for me in the long run, but obviously very difficult given my low gpa.
Why do I even want an MBA?
Most people keep asking me that, given that I'm in a good spot, and MBA's can be looked down upon in Tech. Although I'm making good money, I am in a technical/analytical role (as a data scientist) at a place that can involve a lot of travel and insane amounts of work (banking hours, no kidding), and want to move more into strategy/product management. I actually do believe in the long-term value of an MBA, the brand recognition, the network, the formal/broad business education (it's a good supplement to my engineering background and somewhat narrow minded way of thinking), and the overall advanced degree. My ideal place to work for post-MBA would be an established tech firm (MSoft/Google) as a product manager, and I'm also considering consulting, if I'm fortunate enough to get MBB.
Questions
- Given my background that the J-Term doesn't have an internship - will I be able to find a good job (or even interviews) w/ the goals listed above? Or will I be completely hindered without the internship? For tech, I don't think I'm making that much of a career change, and for MBB, a lot of my past experience is similar to consulting.
- Is the Columbia MBA worth it, paying out of pocket? Alums that I've spoken to have given me a resounding "yes", but others have said I'm crazy (both opinions are biased). I have no shot at H/S/W b/c of my **** grades, but may have a chance at other M7s if I wait a couple of years. Don't know if it's worth waiting either, as opp cost gets even bigger.
Thanks so much!
I've been fortunate to be accepted into Columbia's J-Term program starting this January, and debating whether or not it would be worth it. I would be basically paying out of pocket, but thankfully I have enough cash that I won't go too much (if any) in debt. My background and motivations for pursuing an MBA are below. I have loved reading and posting on the applicant threads, but now would love to hear any of your thoughts or suggestions! Thanks
Background
I went to a non-HYP ivy in engineering, worked in quant finance for a while, and have been at a prestigious pre-IPO startup (Dropbox/AirBnB/Uber) for a couple of years in analytics. My college GPA was pretty bad (slightly below 3.0 - I had, I felt, legit reasons for it), and my GMAT was 720. However, I'm in a pretty good spot right now, making more than the median salary (not incl. bonuses) out of Columbia, plus pre-IPO equity (which is obviously very valuable). This is my second year applying to b-school - I got into Duke, Ross last year (and dinged from Booth/Kellogg), but ultimately decided not go to either as it would probably be a perceived "step-down". I came to the conclusion that only an M7 would be worth it for me in the long run, but obviously very difficult given my low gpa.
Why do I even want an MBA?
Most people keep asking me that, given that I'm in a good spot, and MBA's can be looked down upon in Tech. Although I'm making good money, I am in a technical/analytical role (as a data scientist) at a place that can involve a lot of travel and insane amounts of work (banking hours, no kidding), and want to move more into strategy/product management. I actually do believe in the long-term value of an MBA, the brand recognition, the network, the formal/broad business education (it's a good supplement to my engineering background and somewhat narrow minded way of thinking), and the overall advanced degree. My ideal place to work for post-MBA would be an established tech firm (MSoft/Google) as a product manager, and I'm also considering consulting, if I'm fortunate enough to get MBB.
Questions
- Given my background that the J-Term doesn't have an internship - will I be able to find a good job (or even interviews) w/ the goals listed above? Or will I be completely hindered without the internship? For tech, I don't think I'm making that much of a career change, and for MBB, a lot of my past experience is similar to consulting.
- Is the Columbia MBA worth it, paying out of pocket? Alums that I've spoken to have given me a resounding "yes", but others have said I'm crazy (both opinions are biased). I have no shot at H/S/W b/c of my **** grades, but may have a chance at other M7s if I wait a couple of years. Don't know if it's worth waiting either, as opp cost gets even bigger.
Thanks so much!
Mo2men
Joined: 26 Mar 2013
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30 Nov 2015, 02:15
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Fosterizer
Congrats for Columbia
To give you solid opinion. I'd like to know the following:
1-years of experience you have till now.
2- Opponents' reasons not go to Columbia.
Fosterizer
30 Nov 2015, 09:47
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Mo2men
Thanks for the response! I have almost 5 years of experience (2 months less). Most of the reasons against Columbia (and MBA in general) have been:
1) I don't directly need an MBA to be where I want to be, and can try to get those jobs directly. However, I believe in the long-term value of the MBA, the network, branding, and formal business education.
2) MBA's are looked down upon in tech. While this may be true, I think that my previous tech experience + engineering background will actually be okay.
3) Columbia's J-Term doesn't have an internship, which will significantly hamper your chances of landing full-time interviews. This point is a little worrisome, but I only plan to apply to MBB and tech shops (for product management or strategy roles).
4) Why do an MBA anyway, when you're making so much money with a lot of valuable equity - anything below H/S/W is not worth it out of pocket. Truth is I probably cannot get into H/S/W because of my low grades and lack of many essays (Columbia itself was a bit surprising b/c I've heard they don't like low stats folks). I didn't apply there this year after my dings from B/K last year.
