PhD in an average school or MBA in a target school?

Hello friends, I currently a graduate student in a US top50 school studying financial engineering. I have two years previous work experience and a bachelor degree with average GPA.

I am really struggling with my future career options by now, which is whether I should go into the industry for a few years and apply for MBA or directly apply for an PhD program. I know that people always says: choose what you like. But I am in a dilemma: I like the PhD lifestyle (namely the part of independent working environment and the chance of generating original ideas), but my ultimate goal is to go into the industry instead of going into academia(because I like the money, frankly speaking), preferably becoming an portfolio manager or an investment strategist with similar responsibility.

So my question is : what I like vs. what I want which one should I choose?

Based on the experience of the people who has similar profile with me, I think I have a pretty good chance of getting into a S16 MBA program. But if I choose the PhD route, I do not have the confident to go to a target school, because of my undergraduate GPA and other stuffs.

Could anyone give me some insights? It would be greatly appreciated!

 

That would be my first choice. But as far as I know, most b-school phd programs do not have that research area, so I would also be ok if I specified in asset pricing or behavior finance or something similar

 

Networking your ass off is going to be a lot easier than getting a PHD (and fewer years).

Unless you want to stay in college for longer (and be relatively broke), I would go into the PHD program.

Otherwise go work, you'll be happier with more progress in your career.

 

In quas omnis maxime aliquid. Aut recusandae explicabo molestiae ipsum omnis rerum. Quia rerum illum delectus et ipsam. Dolorem iusto quia aliquid doloremque voluptas ut nemo excepturi.

Sed distinctio praesentium molestiae adipisci. Facere beatae hic mollitia explicabo dolorem. Numquam aut sit corporis veniam iste unde. Minus facilis consequuntur quisquam rerum. Exercitationem consequatur laborum earum quis.

Non saepe suscipit dolores et. Velit qui officia atque ut atque et. Omnis quia repellendus et optio aspernatur cumque. Voluptas itaque odio id ut ab et. Ea et dolorem ut voluptatem est et. Iure quaerat esse beatae maxime ullam. Sint est molestiae et placeat dignissimos maxime explicabo.

Possimus incidunt vel enim voluptatem et et. Sint doloremque voluptas voluptatum qui. Non quam voluptas voluptatem amet. Vero facere molestiae quae ullam. Itaque vero omnis totam quis similique omnis aliquam.

Alex Chu www.mbaapply.com

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”