Is an MBA worth it for me?
Hi there, I graduated 3 years ago and have been working at a top investment manager in quantitative fixed income research. I am trying to figure out if an MBA is worth it for me and what my options now.
Brief background about myself, I graduated from Cal (Berkeley) Engineering 2 and a half years ago, and have been working at the investment manager in research since. I have passed all three levels of CFA and waiting for the charter (need another 1 and a half year of experience to receive charter).
I have been admitted to HBS but I am having second thoughts as to whether I should even do the MBA. My main concern is that I am making 170K all in this year and should break 200 in no time if I stay on. Does it make sense to forgo 2 years (400K) of income + pay 2 years of tuition and living expenses to get the MBA? Would it open up more options for me? Help me advance in my career? Another consideration is that I only need 1 and a half year more of work experience to receive my CFA charter, should I at least wait till then?
My end goal has always been to be a PM at THE Top funds like Blackrock/PIMCO or a top hedge fund.





I have no idea, but congrats
I have no idea, but congrats on HBS!
Curious to see what others say...
Sounds like you're doing fine
Sounds like you're doing fine already, but I would still go. Yes, you give up money to attend, but that's small potatoes for you over the long run if you reach Blackrock/PIMCO/HF.
If you want to be a top guy at a fund like that... the HBS pedigree will make it easier for you to get there. Also, if you ever want to start your own fund, the HBS network and brand name will help you attract institutional investors.
Congrats man your doing great
Congrats man your doing great to be only 3 years out especially in this economy. I would say go as well when considering your main goals. HBS will put you over the top. I would also explore the HBS deferement program and see if you can hold off your spot for a year or until u can get that charter or save some money and see if you if you can advance where you are first. Just my 2 cents.
I Got a dollar and a dream...
Should come down to a few
Should come down to a few things... Do you like your job? and, Can you move up without an MBA? If the answer to both of those is yes and you just want to go to Harvard for the prestigue than you seriously need to rething your situation.
HBS admitted you only three
HBS admitted you only three years out of college and one firm/industry on your resume?
What was your motivation for your application? It seems strange that you could persuade Harvard that you want to do an MBA there but that you can't persuade yourself?
An MBA is a while off for me, but some of the guys on here would kill to have an offer from HBS. If you don't really want it then you can be reassured that your place won't go to waste.
Clarkey wrote: HBS admitted
HBS admitted you only three years out of college and one firm/industry on your resume?
I don't think it's that uncommon. Another kid who started at the same time as I did in my class (although there's really no such thing as a class where I work since they only recruit a few a year) will be attending Wharton. Someone who started a year before I did is currently attending HBS. I also think having interned in BB front office sophomore and junior year helped? I have no idea but I don't think it's that uncommon. I also got into Wharton so I don't think it's an exception or anything.
What was your motivation for your application? It seems strange that you could persuade Harvard that you want to do an MBA there but that you can't persuade yourself?
Well I am just having second thoughts when I realized the lost income, price tag and living expenses. I am just trying to compare what I am forgoing/paying to what I will get back in return and trying to make a sound "investment" decision :D
Is your lifestyle going to
Is your lifestyle going to change much? Will you feel the lack of income?
If not, then you mind as well go to HBS (lol that sounds funny out of context)
no point in going if you can
no point in going if you can reach where you want without it
HBS will hands down help you
HBS will hands down help you if you are trying to transition away from pure quant. Otherwise, you'll have to feel it out based on what you think your promotion opportunities are.
Business school is a great
Business school is a great place to pause and think what you want to do. It is also an opportunity to meet with a lot of employers and figure out what is really out there. While most of the HBS student body is a bunch of obnoxious pricks there are also some truly talented and cool people the likes of which you haven't met yet. If you make it to PM you will be easily making seven figures which means whatever income you are losing will make zero difference in your lifestyle 10 years down the road. Go to HBS, enjoy yourself, don't worry about the money, you also might learn something!
Dude, it looks like you
Dude, it looks like you worked hard. You deserve a $570K, 2-year vacay.
PS Go bears!
If your goal is to be a PM
If your goal is to be a PM the MBA is a waste of your time. The CFA will open up a lot more doors for a guy with your profile. If you do decide on HBS, wait until you have the charter in hand.
Where I unload on Twits and take verbal S***s
You learn more in the
You learn more in the trenches than you do in the class room.
This applies to all MBA programs, except for HBS.
Head to Cambridge. PIMCO and Blackrock are not going anywhere (soon).
Yeah, I am going to call BS
Yeah, I am going to call BS on this post. So you're saying you graduated in 2008 and are already making $170K/yr already, and you're probably 24-26 yrs old.
Assuming this is for real: no, it wouldn't make sense to go back school. You're making a salary that most HBS grads hope to make when they graduate.
Why would you come to an anonymous internet forum to ask this question? You have access to quality PM's already, you should be asking them, not the internet.
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man made the money, money never made the man
If you like what you're
If you like what you're doing, then by all means stay on. B-school is best for those who need to pivot or need to figure out what they want to do.
@mr1234: 170k/year for a 2008 grad is toppy but not unrealistic.
Yeah Mr. You're a fucking
Stay put and retire early.
CFA is completely irrelevant
CFA is completely irrelevant
mr1234 wrote: Yeah, I am
ILOVENYGUY wrote: CFA is
GOB wrote: Is your lifestyle
How about about an executive
If it doesn't make dollars, it doesn't make sense.....
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Sub'd
Go to HBS.
Put your family first they're
You should go to HBS. If it
family first man
i am in a very similar
To echo the others, do you
No need to get worked up.
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man made the money, money never made the man
Why wouldn't you believe he
help your family first then
Situation wrote: The
Opportunity cost is high for
jimbrowngoU wrote: Why
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man made the money, money never made the man
Take care of your family
Learn Financial Modeling
Interview Guides
Resumes
[quote=mr1234]No need to get
Sorry OP got off the subject.
Agreed. Support the family.
In all seriousness: family
Hi everyone, Thanks for all
Your PM dreams won't be on
Buster
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man made the money, money never made the man
What-to-do-What-to-do
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man made the money, money never made the man
mr1234, what field do you
mr1234, I was going on the
OP, your decision made my
This is where I got my info
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man made the money, money never made the man
mr1234]No need to get worked
The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee
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