Wharton/SAIS Joint MA/MBA Program

I am currently admitted to SAIS for a MA in international relations/economics (2 year program) starting next fall. I am considering applying to Wharton/Tuck/INSEAD for the dual degree MA/MBA program. The joint program would add another year to the degree and be an additional ~$70K plus opportunity costs. If I am interested in energy in the private sector, would adding the MBA significantly a) improve my job prospects, and b) improve my salary.
As BG, I have 4 years of work experience, 710 GMAT, and 3.8 GPA from a Top 50 undergrad.
Thanks!

 

Can you apply after you are admitted? I was under the assumption you applied to both at the same time and that specific program. If you can get into SAIS and then apply that could be an interesting "back door" route. The admission requirements might be a little relaxed. To answer your question though, YES that would signficantly improve job prospects and salary.

 

your interests are "energy in the private sector"

... although I know SAIS only has a few partners like Tuck or Wharton, and those MBAs have high abiilty to move around the country and/or the world.

but..

Let me ask a rhetorical question--would UTAustin, Rice or SMU (or say reputable California schools if you meant otherwise) be closer to your goals? Yes they're definitely a notch below M7 MBA, but they locate in the heart of Texas--where energy industry is.

 

Hi greenturkeypants For sure, the MBA will help you get access to the private sector, where the SAIS degree (or a Georgetown MSFS, or a Fletcher degree, or even an HKS degree) will only get you so far.

Like any candidate, you have to put together an outstanding, well executed application. Just because you are at SAIS doesn't get you in: it just means you are having that experience. And if you apply Round 1, you won't have had much of an experience to write about.

Still, - it might help in that it differentiates you a little bit, and shows that the number-1 school in its field has admitted you. I don't see any reason to think that the standards for admitting you would be any different for any other candidate.
Does that answer your question?

Betsy Massar Come see me at my Q&A thread http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/b-school-qa-w-betsy-massar-of-master-admissions Ask away!
 

@shuang19, even though I am interested in the energy sector, I don't think that tips the scales enough for me to go to UT or SMU purely for that reason.

@Betsy Massar, I don't expect my SAIS admission to guarantee me a spot by any means, but I think I can use it as something that makes me distinct, especially if I can coherently explain why the dual-degree makes sense. I was thinking of applying in R1, even though as you mention I won't have had that much experience at SAIS. The reason for this is that I don't think my decision to pursue an MBA hinges on my SAIS experience. I see them as distinct but complementary.

 

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