Hey y'all,
I've seriously considered an MBA for some time, it's on the radar after 4 years of working, though I'm still hesitant whether it's the right decision or not, but I'm hoping it's still a possibility after what I have planned next.
Plan: What I'm going to do is to just take some time off for a year and then some. I'm sure most of us can relate to the idea that traveling for a good chunk of time would be fun, and I'm sure well deserved for more than a few of us. Beyond traveling, I additionally want to dick around with some projects and see if I can get any traction with any of them, things such as data science boot camps, CFA, podcasting, getting involved in local politics, or what ever comes to mind. (Note: I'm not saying I will do all of them, these are just examples).
Justification: Like must of us, I chose a career/major at 18, and who is to say I made the right decision when my main concerns at that age were drinking, going out with girls, and playing Super Smash Brothers; so I'm going to explore other avenues in case there is something I'm more suited for. I wouldn't say I'm "satisfied" with my current spot in life so I think it best to figure this shit out now when I don't have responsibilities versus having doubts when I'm 38 with kids and such.
Question: Am I going to shoot my self in the foot for an MBA application to a Top 20 program? That's plan B if nothing else pans out and I decide not to return to my current job. I'm not sure if anyone has taken a gap year and then done an MBA, but I would be curious how and if it effected your application, extra points if it wasn't just traveling but at least mildly productive and entrepreneurial
Back Ground: In case this is relevant: (GMAT: 680, 3 years at Big 4 (audit), 1+ year at boutique CRE firm (valuation & advisory), 3.6 GPA, Masters in Accounting)
Cheers, Ehh & Why
If you apply round 1, you would have almost a year before you start anyway.
Yeah, I've given that some thought, and you're not wrong. I plan on applying to a few for a just in case scenario considering I already have the rec letters for the most part and a decent-ish GMAT. My heart just isn't in it right now so I still a think a more likely scenario is that I apply next year, but I intend to do what you said regardless.
2.5 months off before MBA (Originally Posted: 06/15/2017)
Fellow monkeys,
After 6+ years in consulting, making it to EM, I'm now taking the unusual (because am doing it a little late) step of going for a 1 year MBA (think Kellogg, INSEAD, LBS). Main reason is because I only have an undergrad degree, and I have aspirations beyond consulting for which I think an MBA - the stamp, network etc will come in extremely handy 10 years down the line.
Firm's funding it and I have the option of returning, although of course will keep my eyes & ears open.
Here's the question - I'm taking 2.5 months off before my MBA - how do you recommend I spend this time? Of course I'm going to chill a bit, travel etc, but what else can/ should I be doing? To those who have an MBA, what do you wish you might've done in the few months preceeding it?
Thanks!
Depends on which one of the three it is. If it's INSEAD, congrats, you're back in consulting anyways (since INSEAD is mainly known as a consulting factory), so you'll be better off using it up for a well-earned vacation.
I'd go sky diving and rocky mountain climbing, and spend 4.7 seconds on a bull named fu man chu.
First piece of advice: When you budget, I'd ensure that you have enough funds to travel during/after b-school. It's a very rewarding part of the networking experience. This is the best advice I received when I came to school.
Second: If funds aren't an issue - my thought process was to go to the most inconvenient places possible, since I wouldn't have the time for 18 hour flights on one week vacations after school.
I'd suggest that you find the most popular destinations for graduates/students at your school and avoid those for now, so that you can better enjoy them with your classmates. You don't want to be stuck in a situation where all your friends are going to Thailand but you were just there a year ago, but also don't want to miss out.
At Booth, the most popular destinations in and after b school are: SE Asia Colombia Israel Kilimanjaro Japan
Also popular are domestic US trips like Portland Oregon and Austin Texas. Internationally, I'd say that Oktoberfest, Iceland and Cuba are close to the above list as well.
It's worth finding a few future classmates and seeing if they might be interested in joining for a leg. These experiences build fast bonds that will carry through school and probably beyond.
I'm in the same situation, but just taking 1.5 months off. I'll split the time this way: -2 weeks travel in Asia. -1 week at the MBA city to open bank accounts and stuff. -2 weeks at my parents house to have some time with family. -Last week at MBA city preparing everything.
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