Johns Hopkins MBA vs Columbia MPA vs LBS MiM
which would you choose, if the following were your greatest concerns (in order of importance).
1) prestige
2) salary
2) helpfulness in boosting investor credibility for startup funding [given a solid idea]
3) becoming a commodities trader
4) international recognition and career flexibility
Again, the decision isn't easy. If it was Columbia's MBA vs MPA, there wouldn't be any thought required. However, JHU's MBA is fairly new and lacks a large network base around the country/world.
Columbia.. oh so ivy, but it's an MPA. Tailorable for private sector work? Yes. (Int'l finance track). But it's still an MPA, but from a great school. and LBS. top notch MBA program BUT it's the MiM (no work exp required) program I'm debating.
What do you guys think.
I call troll.
But my vote would be for LBS.
Tempting
Actually I know people who have faced similar choices before so I wouldn't automatically think troll. 1.) Columbia, LBS, JHU 2.) LBS, Columbia, JHU 3.) JHU, LBS, Columbia 4.) LBS, Columbia, JHU 5.) Columbia, LBS, JHU
Forget about JHU- if you're looking at LBS i'll assume you're younger so you shouldn't "waste" your MBA card (you can generally only get one) on JHU. So in my mind the difference is between Columbia and LBS. I wouldn't count on SIPA to help you break into finance as its OCR is abysmal. That said it works well for experienced candidates that are really going for specific knowledge accumulation. It also really only works for Muni related stuff (MPA) or more macro type products whereas LBS could get you that stuff while being stronger for the traditional finance roles. LBS should give you a decent shot at entry level roles while leaving open the potential of an MBA at a better school later. Of course if you have no interest in starting your career in Europe or Asia, then Columbia is probably a better bet but in general would go with LBS.
What's your background?
redacted
Why would someone who wants an MBA apply for an MPA program? Why does this remind me of one of those Harvard Med School vs Stanford CS PhD vs Yale Law threads vs. HBS threads?
If this is not a troll, my assumption is that OP is relatively young and inexperienced and either does not have a job or has a job that he/she does not like at all. With no real chance of getting into a top MBA program, he applied for a decent sounding MPA, a nice name but not top MBA, and a MiM, just in case. Basically a buckshot of decently named places that are not highly selective to get back into recruiting. If this is the case, then I would go with the Columbia MPA if you want to be in the US and LBS if you want to be in Europe. None of that is rocket science, but the only thing I wouldn't do is close off the MBA route by going to Hopkins.
Then again, the "oh so ivy" part makes me think troll. Who on earth would actually say something like that.
How is "oh so ivy" indicative of a troll? Compared to JHU and LBS, Columbia is, in fact, "oh so ivy". It's a fact.
td12. I went to NYU for undergrad (2012 grad)-- economics major. Didn't really put in the time/effort (and outgunned academically by the all-nighter pulling asians). Also should've stepped it up with networking. Working in property/casualty insurance as an analyst and the cubicle is abysmal.
IlliniProgrammer I'll overlook your silly "troll" accusations for a minute, and address your "why is this guy doing an MPA when he's looking for an MBA". Good question. Read the first part of BGP2587's post. He read my mind.
Vagabond, helpful stuff. Care to share which one you're at? Also, is LBS really a ticket to Europe/Asia jobs only? As a US citizen I've read/heard nightmarish stories about work visas not being approved etc. Like you said though SIPAs career services sucks. Did I mention if I do SIPA I'll be paying for 1/4th of costs. (roughly $40k debt for 2 years). If I do LBS, I'll walk out debt free.
So I have a week to decide. yes ONE week left.
If anyone else has insight, post away. And really, if I was a troll, the world would be my trollcave. Let's be real here.
P.S. At first I was set on Columbia. But thinking perhaps LBS's MiM would set me up for a T15 in a few years. Or would it make sense to get BOTH [mpa first, then mba later].
aarg, indecisions from a typically decisive guy.
redacted
I suggest you stay and start studying for actuarial exams.
I am surprised you can't do better coming out of an insurance company. You either shot way too low or your undergrad grades were truly abysmal. In which case, a few years of work and a decent GMAT should make them a distant and irrelevant memory for an MIT Sloan, Columbia MBA, or Booth application.
Finally, for a guy to say "Oh so Ivy" and refer to trollcaves, it just sounds odd. A 15 year old girl sitting in the back of her Daddy's Rolls Royce being driven down Park Avenue might be able to get away with sounding that way and not looking all that off, but a guy in his twenties can't. Perhaps you were the brother sitting next to that girl, but now you are a businessman and need to write like one. Please tell me you won't write that way on your application essays when you do apply for an MBA program.
OP, you should've studied harder at NYU, so you could have competed with the Asians and gotten a good finance gig. Oh well, live and learn. The white fratboys who think college is about partying and "discovering yourself" get their lunches eaten by the smart hard working Asians and then wonder why they have a hard time getting the job they want or the elite MBA admissions that they covet.
Onto your dilemma though. If you want to work in the U.S., go with Columbia SIPA. The OCR there is abysmal, and it gets little respect in finance, BUT you will at least have the columbia name brand, and SIPA does place some people into research positions at banks and ratings agencies. It's going to be a tough slog though; you will have to hustle hard as fuck since the school itself won't support you that much.
OP, your only mistake was not networking better. This is a simple fix and one you should work on before pursuing any graduate degree.
My advice is similar to IP's (shocking). I would stay with your gig and study for the actuarial exams. Insurance is a great business to be in (assuming you aren't actually selling insurance) and you can learn a lot.
Assuming this advice isn't what you want, then I would advise you go the Columbia route.
1) Don't do an MBA from JHU unless you are mid-career, in the Baltimore/DC area and your company is paying for it.
2) LBS is awesome, but working international without a Visa is going to be tough. I'd hate for you to get another degree and be screwed. Also, your network will be strongest in London and internationally, not helpful if you have to pack your bags and come back to the USA.
3) Columbia is a great brand, you will save your MBA option and you can build on your NYC network. You'll be in NYC, hitting up both Columbia and NYU alumni and should find landing a gig easy. That is assuming you can network and interview well. Have a good story on why an MPA though.
TNA offers sound advice. Do the MPA, work for a few years afterwards, CRUSH the GMAT, and then apply to elite b-schools. Right now your resume is too weak, but you are still young, so time is on your side.
Go for the biggest name first, then the most relevant. I'd go with LBS MiM with those given options.
I wouldn't even consider the other two, honestly.
It'll hold a lot of weight here, domestically, and even abroad.
OP, where did you end up going? LBS or Columbia?
@"jimmer888" where did you end up going? LBS or Columbia?
LBS MiM was the obvious choice..
@shair currently doing an MPA at Columbia. a big draw was the access to great professors. a negative would be the career services (worthwhile private sector jobs are almost nonexistent).
Similique sunt qui eos. Id facere corrupti est omnis reiciendis dolorem eum. Ut sed cupiditate hic at.
Dolores atque quae ut officiis ut et expedita. Aut voluptatem delectus excepturi. Natus voluptas voluptas officia quis error et occaecati et.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...