PhD in an average school or MBA in a target school?
Hello friends, I currently a graduate student in a US top50 school studying financial engineering. I have two years previous work experience and a bachelor degree with average GPA.
I am really struggling with my future career options by now, which is whether I should go into the industry for a few years and apply for MBA or directly apply for an PhD program. I know that people always says: choose what you like. But I am in a dilemma: I like the PhD lifestyle (namely the part of independent working environment and the chance of generating original ideas), but my ultimate goal is to go into the industry instead of going into academia(because I like the money, frankly speaking), preferably becoming an portfolio manager or an investment strategist with similar responsibility.
So my question is : what I like vs. what I want which one should I choose?
Based on the experience of the people who has similar profile with me, I think I have a pretty good chance of getting into a S16 MBA program. But if I choose the PhD route, I do not have the confident to go to a target school, because of my undergraduate GPA and other stuffs.
Could anyone give me some insights? It would be greatly appreciated!
PHD in what? Financial engineering?
That would be my first choice. But as far as I know, most b-school phd programs do not have that research area, so I would also be ok if I specified in asset pricing or behavior finance or something similar
Networking your ass off is going to be a lot easier than getting a PHD (and fewer years).
Unless you want to stay in college for longer (and be relatively broke), I would go into the PHD program.
Otherwise go work, you'll be happier with more progress in your career.
a PHD isn't worth it unless you want to go into academia.
Thank you for answering. Personally I am not very interest in high people-oriented role such as investment banking. If I choose a more research-oriented role in finance, such as buy-side research, would PhD give me some sort of advantage?
MBA at a target school > PhD at any schools
Thank you for your reply, could you give some more specific explanations?
did you take the GMAT yet? not trying to be a dick but its pretty clear your english skills aren't great so i sense it will be tough for you to get a top score
Yes, I have taken the GMAT, and got a 710. I may retake the test later, to see if I could get a higher score.
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