re: Is an MBA worth it

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STEM major with 3ish gpa
Hope to do something similar in the military

Do you think the two and half years in management consulting is necessary for applying?
Ideally my plan was to get out of the military,do well on the GMAT then immediately try to get into a MBA program.

2 extra years of work experience would push me to the 30-32 age which may negatively effect my application

Also would love to get into either of those schools

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No, the two years in consulting wasn't totally necessary. It probably helped my own application, but most guys go straight from the service into the MBA programs.

If you are older than about 30, it probably isn't worth your time to try to be honest. Ideally, you'll want to be 26 - 28 when you start but there is some flexibility on both ends.

Take the GMAT while you're still in the service. Most installations actually offer it for free with some nice discounts on prep books and courses. Be very cognizant of deadlines - do not apply round 3 if you can help it to any school. Apply in the first two rounds.

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Might be a mid-life crisis but looking for a change of scenery.

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, it is definitely a mid-life crisis. Enjoy your career in medicine for another 10-15 years and retire.

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Oh wow. They don't like applicants over the age of 30?

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It is not the norm, I would say, but not extremely uncommon or anything. The average age at most programs is somewhere between 27 and 28.5. I would say once you get to 32 - 33, you're starting to stretch it a bit. Past 35 is extremely rare.

For Full time programs the average work experience is typically 5 years which means people are starting at ~27. Over 30 and they will want you to consider an executive MBA program. North of 30 is also when the payback is lower and opportunity cost is higher as most people are earning better salaries by then.

Part-time programs typically to be slightly on the higher side in terms of work experience. 5.5-6 years of experience is the norm there.

Executive MBA programs vary a lot from program to program. Most require at least 8 years if experience but the average is typically in the 14-16 year range. EMBAs are also much more expensive...they can run a $30-40k premium over the other formats. My opinion is that they know many companies are footing the bill for executives to check a box and the companies are willing to pay extra.

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I'm 28 if it helps.

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I don't think you can have a mid-life crisis at 28.

You could definitely get into a good MBA program. But, do you really want to be a $&$#@& entry level finance jockey at 30? Especially if you have finished medical school?!

Fair enough. Depends on specialty in medicine. If you are going to be in something paying $300k+ in six years then awesome. If you are doing peds and will make sub $150k then finance could make some sense.

The honest truth is you have to figure out what makes you happy and do that. You can make money plenty of ways.

My oldest son is making 75K a year at 25 years old in the PR industry with a two year technical college degree. So...maybe not.

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That's... Surprising. PR and agencies are notorious for paying low wages.

Is he working as a programmer?

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No. He was working with digital marketing as well as old school. He will be leaving to work for Red Bull as its digital marketing guy next month.

I did the PMBA program at LSU I had a non business degree and worked for a bank. They paid for it and it took 3 years to get. Honestly unless you want to get into upper management I wouldn't suggest it. I decided that I have no interest in being in management I like flying under the radar. Oh yeah and it cost $25k