Is an MBA worth it?

Question

Currently a second year PE associate at a MM fund ($1bn+). A lot of friends/acquaintances from undergrad are now starting at business school.

Lima Papa · Accepted Answer

Decent reasons to get an MBA:

Switching careers (consulting to finance, teaching to consulting, military to anything in the business world, etc.)
    Your firm makes you and you want to stay there
    You want two years off from the working world and don't mind taking on the debt and lost wages or have somebody else who will pay for it (parents, rich uncle, scholarships, whatever)
    You feel like you need the network
    You're not American and want to work in the U.S.

hq_life · Answer

I am studying for my GMAT now and will be applying for an MBA program next year. I have been researching for the past 2 years and have talked to TONS of alumnis, friends.

I see an MBA as a path to do something which I wouldn't otherwise be able to do. For example: changing an industry, and/or switching functions, and/or locations. If any of these apply to you, an MBA will be worth it. If none of these apply to you, an MBA is not worth it - UNLESS the company is forcing you to do so (which per your post, it isn't). People talk about doing it for the sole reason of network.

RBOB_squarepants · Answer

Looking back on my experience, the MBA was worth it. I came from the Big 4 and decided on Top 15 or bust MBA for a guaranteed shot at consulting or IB, and I successfully made the transition. It was worth it due to the following factors:

1) opportunity to switch careers and earn a higher long term ROI / do more interesting work.

2) the network. I came from a relatively shitty undergrad so the opportunity to network with smart, ambitious peers was great. I expect the network to pay dividends in the future as well.

3) the experience.

RBOB_squarepants · Answer

Of course. Given your background and experiences, my gut says the MBA is not worth it for you, unless maybe you get into Harvard/Stanford/Wharton.

If you don’t need the MBA to get to the next step in your career, and you like the trajectory you’re on now, I don’t see how the MBA helps you career/ROI wise. I don’t know a lot about the PE track but I’ve heard of instances where people are pushed/required to get an MBA to keep moving up, is that the case with you?

There’s definitely diminishing returns if you went to a top 10 UG.

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Is an MBA worth it?

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Is an MBA worth it?

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