Can I pursue a JD after Finance Undergrad?
Hey WSO,
High school senior here and I'll be studying Finance next fall when I head off to college. I'll most likely be attending Fordham in the Global Honors Business Program and may minor in International Studies or Political Science.
I am interested in the careers of both law/politics and finance. I have heard from many that the job prospects of finance are much better than those in law, so I am unsure of whether pursuing a JD at Law School would be a wise choice. However, I have heard that a JD may provide more career flexbility than an MBA and that JDs can still work in top positions in the business field.
My main concerns with obtaining a JD are:
1.) The job prospects in the field of law
2.) Would I be able to gain admission to law school and fare well with an undergraduate degree in finance?
3.) Is a JD actually more flexible than an MBA?
These questions are assuming I do not gain entry to a Top 10 MBA or Top 10 JD program. I've done pretty well in school, but I'm not exactly Ivy caliber, so let's assume I am not admitted to a top 10 program in either.
Thanks
Full disclosure I have both a MBA and a JD, from different programs.
1.) Not the best, even the biggest firms are partitioning their partnership tracks to have more non-equity partners now. 2.) Your undergrad study area doesn't really matter, your GPA and LSAT score does. 3.) No, MBA is a lot more flexible. Your realistic job prospects for a JD are being a lawyer and compliance/regulatory.
You can get into MBB from a non-top 10 MBA, it's harder to get to BIG LAW from a non-T14 school.
Yes you can go into a law program with a finance undergrad. From what I understand, the only thing that really matters for law school is your LSAT score.
MBA is more flexible than a JD. Think of what a JD sets you up for versus an MBA. Business is pretty darn broad, where as law is well ... law? (Not that you can't utilize the degree in a business manner, but at the end of the day that degree is probably not as valuable).
BreakingRich gpck Thanks for the advice guys. Business has been my choice of a future career for a long time now, but I'm still in high school and really haven't immersed myself in business yet. In a year I could decide I hate the prospects of finance and may want to switch career tracks. I was looking into Fordham's JD/MBA program, but it looks very expensive and very time consuming (6.5-7 years).
I suppose I'm just worried that I've sort of pigeonholed myself by applying into the business school where I will study mainly, well, business exclusively. Should I decide business isn't my fit and want to go more of the politics/law route, I am worried this will be a drastic transition.
You should talk with some people who are a couple years into their careers in finance and law once you start attending undergrad. People change their minds a lot between the ages of 18-22 and that's ok.
One thing you should know is that the top MBA programs almost never accept an applicant with less than two years of work experience, most accepted students have between 4 to 5. Contrast that with law schools, which regularly accept people fresh out of undergrad. So that is something else to think about.
The most important thing you can do as a freshman to ensure you have good career options is to study hard and get good grades. That leaves everything open.
It's good to see you're focused. If you are torn between finance and law, go to the best undergrad you get into, but honestly, study whatever the fuck you're more interested in. MBA programs don't care about your undergrad major, you won't be applying until 2-5 years out of school and they'll be looking at your resume. I know people who got into top law schools with non pre-law degrees too. Just get the best grades you can no matter what you study, take advantage of interesting extracurriculars that can build your resume and enjoy the experience. Work on your soft skills too, either through campus programs or informally (how to cold call someone about a job, networking, being confident speaking in public, etc).
Undergrad is way cooler than high school and you're going to have a blast. You don't have to worry about prepping for top grad schools just yet. Focus on your first year or two then start to give it thought.
Also, as an aside, any MBA program that will accept you right after school is probably not going to do what you want it to for your career. You should be prepping for potential law schools in year 2-3 of your undergrad program if that's what you want to do, or MBA programs 1-2 years out of school. JD/MBA is it's own animal and usually a waste of time/money unless you have a niche need for it.
Echoing what has been mentioned above. Make sure your GPA is top notch. If you believe an MBA or JD / both combined are in your future, you have every incentive to pick somewhat easier courses / majors in order to get maximum scholarship money. Just do well.
When I was a senior in high school, I thought I wanted to do an MBA / JD as well. Took me one philosophy and a law class to realize that I absolutely had no intention of a JD (nor did I want the time commitment). My point is that your interests change with your experiences. Keep working hard, it is great that you are already thinking ahead.
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