Recent grad, super lost. Can anyone give advice/help me choose between an MBA, JD, or MA?
This is kinda long so there's a TL; DR at the bottom. This isn't directly related to finance, but I've been lurking here for a while and I'm hoping someone will have some advice.
I got a BA in Economics from a fairly good school. My GPA is garbage, 2.8, because of really bad problems at home that I won't go into. Yes, I know it's bad, don't rub it in. Anyways, this whole time I've been thinking that I should go ahead and get my MBA and get into finance... and now I'm doubting myself. I'm going to be to the point. Money is important to me, and I need to find a position that will lead to a career where I can make 150k+, hopefully more. Not up for debate. My hesitations about going into finance is that, well, I hate business classes and I found my economics classes grueling. Some were interesting, but the core requirements (stats, econometrics, etc) were awful to me. I do not like math. I excel at reading, writing, logic, and communication.
So that's where the law school idea comes from. Everyone I meet tells me I'd be an awesome lawyer and that I have a great skillset to succeed in that arena. But I'm worried about law school for a few reasons... It seems like the cost to salary ratio is worse than it is for getting an MBA. MBA's are usually a little (not a lot, lol) cheaper, and it seems like it's easier to secure a higher paying job in finance than it is in law. But, I think I would enjoy the classes much much more in law school. I also think I'd have an easier time taking the LSAT than the GMAT.
And then, I've also thought about simply going for a masters...but idk what I would study that would lead to better career options than the above... In a perfect world, I would be able to go get my masters in philosophy, because that's what I'm actually passionate about. Or I could go to fashion school. Or art school. Obviously, I won't do either of these things until I'm in a spot in life where I can afford to go to school purely for enjoyment. I have no idea what I would study in this scenario.
Sorry for the novel. I'm rambling because I'm confused and panicking. Any input (literally, ANY input) is welcome as long as you're kind. Thanks.
TL; DR: can't decide between getting an MBA or going to law school. My skillset suits law school, but my goals and practicality says an MBA might be better.
You mentioned you excel at reading, writing, logic and communication so perhaps simply put your calling in life is to be a rockstar lawyer, dominate and make partner at 30. I really don't want to sound pessimistic about your chances in finance but it's hard for me to provide an incentive if you have such great skills in an area that you could enjoy with the earnings potential being the same or perhaps greater.
yeah you’re spot on with this thought. you won’t get into BigLaw unless you go to a T15 law school. and that GPA is going to be a big red flag for law schools. now that doesn’t mean you can’t make it into the #10-15 ranked school, and you should definitely try 100%. Law seems like the perfect fit for you. you’re going in aware that you won’t accept a place at a shitty law school so that’s already a step in the right direction. there are things you can do to improve your GPA. it will cost more money but there’s options like retaking some classes, a post-BAC, having an alternative transcript (idk what this is but all the MBA consultants on poets&quants mention this whenever someone’s GPA sucks balls).
if you right this ship, you should be in good shape to get into T15 law. and then the world is your oyster. doesn’t matter if it’s Yale/Harvard/Stanford or whatever the #15 school is - as long as you get that BigLaw job at the end, you’ll never be making less than $200k in your life (assume you stay doing legal-y stuff and not non-profit/gov work).