Mini Q&A: I'm a seasoned Financial Advisor at a Large Wirehouse, should I leave and get my MBA?

Much like the rest of the new users, I've been lurking around this forum for about a year or so trying to gauge other sectors of the financial services industry, but have decided to make my first official post. Full disclosure -- I did notice another user posting a Q&A for Financial Advisors, but I believe he works for a firm that has a different type of set up so hopefully my post adds additional insight. I don't know if I can offer much guidance in terms of "real finance", but I would be more than happy to offer advice to recent undergraduates or potential career changers as this forum has helped me realize certain things about the world of finance. This is a two part post -- 1) I wanted everyone's honest advice on whether I should leave everything and go back to get my MBA 2) I would be more than willing to answer any questions you may have pertaining to working as a retail financial advisor at a large brokerage firm.

1) Late twenties approaching 30 at a large wirehouse/brokerage firm (Merrill Lynch/Morgan Stanley/UBS/Wells/JPMorgan)

2) Relatively happy at my job, but it's a pure sales job, and no matter what VP title I have or "wealth management" or "PWM" title the company tries to give us, it's a retail investment sales job in its purest form.

3) I make roughly 200k/year and only work about 30 hours/week now with some weeks capping at 40 hours -- I'm not lazy, but I do try really hard to maintain a balanced lifestyle as I was working 60-80 hours a week when I first started to build up my client base. However, I am a little worried that government regulations will be changing my income within 5 years, forcing me to go back to working 40-60 hours a week to make 200-400k+. Moreover, I think the industry is changing and the younger clients are quickly becoming smarter and more tech savvy, eliminating a need for financial advisors. I'm finding that only the older retirees are receptive to financial advisors. For the most part, I've been fortunate enough to make 150-300k nearly every year after college with the exception of my first year, BUT as I approach my thirties, I realize I've just been chasing the money/comfort and have built absolutely zero technical skills or plan for an exit opportunity.

4) I am submitting my MBA apps for Round 2, I have a higher median GPA, GMAT, and income than most M7 applicants and the consultants say I will definitely get into at least ONE of the M7's (despite my age). Although I highly doubt it's a HWS, I'm entertaining the idea of the other possibilities. I did go to a non prestigious public UG (ranked 30-50 according to US News) and of course, it was a non target school. I had acceptance letters from better schools, but came from a dirt poor family so I chose the school that provided me with the most attractive scholarship at the time. I am completely embarrassed of my UG and in social gatherings, I get annoyed at having to earn intellectual points through conversation as opposed instantaneously having credibility.

5) I want to play in the sandbox with the big boys, but truthfully, at the same time I'm worried that I'm not good/smart enough to compete. I've read tons of articles on getting one's foot into IBD/PE/HF/VC firms and because of my age and UG, this will become increasingly harder. I don't know if I can hack the 80-100 hours at an investment bank starting from square 1, but I feel that I can handle the 60 hours a week at a MM PE shop. I have absolutely zero financial modeling skills, but am willing to learn. I do have extensive bringing in business and gathering investors as evidenced by my track record. Would a M7 MBA help land me into a MM PE shop if I only have retail sales as my background?

6) I have almost about 1MM in cash saved so I can pay off the MBA without incurring any loans, BUT at what point does it become a complete waste of money? Opportunity cost would be 200k in tuition and living expenses + 250k income (400k income gross/250k net) plus I would have lost all my clients that I have spent years building and retaining.

To make a long story even longer, what do you guys think? Are you guys happy/miserable in IBD and/or PE? What would you do in my situation? At the end of the day, I'm mostly bothered by the UG pedigree on my resume and background so maybe I can attend a part time MBA program, which would be a great tax deduction. Another fear of mine is that the role of the Financial Advisor will soon become archaic and I would have to look for a new career at Age 40.

Moral of the story for you high schoolers -- DO NOT fuck up your HS grades/SAT scores and get into the best college you can get into, not the one that offers you the most money. If I had gone to HYP, I would definitely not be considering an MBA right now.