Hey Guys,
Wanted to get your opinion on something.
First, you have to understand my current position. Recently graduated from a non target state school. I earned a BS in Finance, with a 3.42. The GPA, isn't great, I get it. My situation is unique because I worked full-time the whole way through undergrad.
From 2011-2013 I hustled a bunch of side jobs, and was even a garbage man for my local town for a little bit. In 2013, going into my junior year of undergrad, I started working in small business lending at a bulge bracket full time. I was able to craft my own work schedule around my classes, allowing me to finish my BS in finance. In terms of what I do, I underwrite credit products for small businesses. Pretty straightforward.
This past fall, I networked my way to a super day for my firms corporate finance development program. Of over 800 applicants, I made it down to the final 40. I ultimately was waitlisted, and later informed I would not be getting an offer.
As I sit today, I'm 22 with about 3 years experience in small business lending, with a BS in finance. I do intend to earn an MBA from a top tier program. The end game of course is IB. However before I pursue an MBA, I want to do something In the meantime.
I've been thinking about possibly earning a BS in accounting on online? My original undergrad degree is AACSB accredited, so I would only need about 30 more credits for the BS in accounting. There are a handful of AACSB accredited colleges online which offer this (Penn State, Auburn, UAB, ect).
Plain and simple, is it worth it? Or should I just focus on nailing the GMAT and getting into a top tier MBA around age 25 or so?
Not really in a position to give advice other than recommending against the accounting degree. Really wouldn't do anything for you.
Do not do accounting.
just crush the GMAT, get 5 full years of pertinent work experience and apply, regardless of age
If you already have a BS in Finance, I agree that adding an accounting degree wouldn't do much to help your chances. You should focus instead on building your resume with extracurricular activities that stand out, a high GMAT, and finding a new job/getting promoted at your current job. I just went through the application cycle with a relatively mediocre academic profile, and I was able to get into several top 15 schools. I attribute this to having a consistent story that made sense (connecting work and volunteer experiences since college to post-MBA goals), solid extracurricular leadership experience, a job promotion and increasing responsibility at work, and visiting schools/networking with current students to show fit. I think that working on these areas will help your chances much more than another undergraduate degree. It should also be said that the average age at top business schools is 27-28, so you would probably have to have a more impressive profile to have a good shot at age 25.
Disclaimer - I have no idea how small business lending is looked-upon by Adcom. I am not an MBA consultant, just someone who has been through the application process.
If you can get into a Masters of Accounting program at a target school, you can get a 4.0 GPa for one year and use that school's recruiting to lateral into IB without needing to go to get an MBA.
Not really a unique situation. I worked full time for 4 years throughout university.
Why not try and move to commercial banking (your firm may call it middle market banking) or corporate banking? Or try and do a rotational or leadership development program? Or trade down in bank size, into a more middle market centric role?
I know a number of regional and super regional banks will consider recently graduated individuals for their leadership programs. I'd network hard and figure out what skills you want and see if you can achieve your goal that way. Barring that if recommend a MSF or masters in management over a MACC.
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