JD/MBA —> PE

I'm from S.Korea (without a British passport) and studied PPE at Oxford and got MSc in Economics & Philosophy from LSE, then got a job at Goldman Sachs in London.

I'm thinking of moving to the states by going JD/MBA at Harvard/Upenn. After grad, I'm super interested in working at one of the PE firms in the US. (Please don't ask why do you need JD - I've always wanted to and I need JD to get ready for returning to Korea after the 50s)

Experienced experts, do you think it seems a plausible plan to get straight into PE with having an IB experience for 3 years in London and JD/MBA in the US? I'm also quite worried given the fact in neither UK national nor American.

Comments (12)

Most Helpful
  • Associate 1 in PE - LBOs
2y 

I would imagine that it is an uphill battle, but there is possibility for you being able to do so at MM firms that don't have as strict of 2 and our programs. You may need to start as a first year associate rather than what a post-MBA would start at if they did 2 years before business school

  • Associate 1 in IB - Gen
2y 

Would I be able to start with a higher position if I could somehow obtain two years of private equity experience in London before I go to JD/MBA in the States?

2y 
T30Graduate, what's your opinion? Comment below:
Associate 1 in IB - Gen

I'm from S.Korea (without a British passport) and studied PPE at Oxford and got MSc in Economics & Philosophy from LSE, then got a job at Goldman Sachs in London.

I'm thinking of moving to the states by going JD/MBA at Harvard/Upenn. After grad, I'm super interested in working at one of the PE firms in the US. (Please don't ask why do you need JD - I've always wanted to and I need JD to get ready for returning to Korea after the 50s)

Experienced experts, do you think it seems a plausible plan to get straight into PE with having an IB experience for 3 years in London and JD/MBA in the US? I'm also quite worried given the fact in neither UK national nor American.

"Please don't ask why do you need JD" okay so you don't want the helpful advice which is do not get the American JD under any circumstance given your goals, aspirations, and the consensus of professionals here with a JD. 

  • 2
2y 
Flurite, what's your opinion? Comment below:

What if you come from a background where money is not relevant and studying for a JD sounds intellectually interesting. And you've already done the IB/PE path prior to enrolling.

  • Associate 1 in IB - Gen
2y 

quite true, actually.

2y 
T30Graduate, what's your opinion? Comment below:

If you want intellectual enrichment, go to the library, google books, or enroll in a part time masters in poli sci or history. Law school is repetitive, narrow coursework. It is almost all appellate level opinions taught using the case method. It is not conducive to intellectual enrichment, increasing one's skillset, or general knowledge. 

  • Associate 1 in IB - Gen
2y 

I'm planning to go back to Korea after gaining enough experience in the US to help to improve my country - you need JD 'generally speaking' to be involved in political decision making process in Korea as a MP which is my final goal. So you might say, then why do you want to get JD from the US - Well, because it worths it.

2y 
T30Graduate, what's your opinion? Comment below:

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