MBB => MBA or JD?

Just curious about the prospects and utility of each of these degrees. I know someone will say "if you want to be a lawyer, get a JD, if not, get an MBA." I 100% agree with that statement. However, I am more curious about the future of these degrees. I've read online that JD's are only useful if you go to a T14 or even T7 school. Some articles go even further stating that top law schools (Harvard, Yale, Stanford) are still risky and that pay is bimodal (either you get a good job and get paid, or you're stuck with 60k) In summary, there are simply too many lawyers.

There have been articles with similar sentiment about MBA (ie must go to a top one) but there appear to be less.

I am (obviously) learning towards an MBA, but wanted further input. Thank you!

4 Comments
 

As you stated, you should only get a JD if you want to be a lawyer. If you do, then you should try to get into a top one. If you don't, and want to stay in business, then get an MBA (preferably also from a top school). QED.

 
Best Response

I have both an MBA and a JD. Law firms are under tremendous fee pressure. Add to that too many lawyers being churned out and you have a really crappy job market for fresh law grads. It has been that way since the last recession and has not really gotten better. Even if you are in a T14 school and get a position at a Big Law firm, you will probably find the work unsatisfying and it is difficult to pivot compared to an MBA.

There are people who get hired into MBB every year from school in the top 15-30 of the MBA rankings, they just have to network more to get that job and it's definitely not a sure thing.

TL:DR version: If you are already leaning MBA, do it. A JD is a much riskier proposition and you will hate your life as a lawyer if your heart is not in it.

 

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