Confused on what I should do
I'm not sure if I posted this in the correct forum, so I apologize in advance.
I'm currently a junior undergrad at a non-target school (George Mason University). I work 25 to 30hrs per week as a systems administrator, drive 2hrs each way to class, and I currently have a 3.7 GPA. As for my major, I am currently enrolled under finance in the school of business. I'm involved with running my own non-profit and a few other civic activities. My attempts to transfer to a target school (UVA) have been non successful to this point.
Even though I find the classes at GMU to be a poor challenge for me, I am stuck where I am at and I might as well graduate. I'm giving UVA one last shot for the fall 2008, but I am not optimistic on my chances. My first question is, since I am coming from a no-name school does it matter if I graduate with a degree in economics or finance? I know I'll need an MBA to break into Wall Street, but I don't know if the top MBA institutions place greater value on the finance undergrad vs the economics undergrad?
My goal is to achieve a JD as well as an MBA. Ultimately I would like to work as a trader or perhaps a typical investment banking job for a few years. I am an entrepreneur at heart and I would prefer to manage my own businesses in due time. I'm thinking of just finishing at GMU with a 3.7 or better in economics (I'm interested in the game theory classes and much of the material taught in the business school is information that I've read already) and then attending law school for my JD. Work for a few years in a good law firm (hopefully as a securities lawyer) and then leave to achieve my MBA from a top institution. Then I'll step out and work on Wall Street. Is this a good idea of progressing towards a job on the street or am I way off base?
I would think that the JD/MBA would be a great combination on the street, but perhaps I am not thinking clearly. Would I be better off to graduate (economics or finance?), chase an IT consulting or business related job for a few years, then aim for my MBA and then for the street? After I've worked on the street for a bit, I could then run off for my JD and a switch to law if I wanted it. Which strategy do you all believe will work the best?
I'm driven and working as hard as I can, I just wish I had a better handle on what path to take.
Thank you & Happy Holidays,
Lance
A few tips that i can think of ... why not do a double major in both if you have to stay at GMU?.. in any case i think the mba program would want you to better at whatever it is that you're studying and have strong extracurrics as they are likely not going to have any preconceptions about either program. why not apply to more than uva? and before you reapply, talk to the UVA transfer admissions ppl to see what was lacking in your prior application.
Also, it is not neccessary for you to have to go through this huge journey (consulting, JD, MBA). At the BB I summered at in capital markets (a hybrid of s&t and investment banking), of the 40 or so guys i did training with, we had 5 or so from total non-targets. some from schools no one had ever heard of before. my point is that networking and luck can go a long way in getting your foot in the door on wall street so reach out to friends and alumni that can help.
figure out what you want to do ... you seem to have a lot of different things on your mind, which is ok but to a certain extent focus is the key to recruiting success (true for target kids too). also i feel that the experiences you have will help shape your career path more so than your pre-determined plan. gooud luck
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