| Topic Name: |
Age Old Question: Stanford v Harvard |
| Message Name: |
Stanford... |
| Date Posted: |
04/18/2001 |
| In Reply To: |
I have applied for a joint degree (JD/MBA). I have been accepted to both program at various schools (i.e. UPenn and Northwestern). But my top choices are Stanford and Harvard. I have so far been accepted to Stanford Business and Harvard Law but not their respective counterparts.
My question is though I hope to get into both programs and both schools if I have to make a decision based on my current options which one should I take. My career goals are quite open right now between business (consulting) and law but I'm leaning towards consulting. I currently work in accounting so I wondered if anyone can give advice on the benefits of either degree. Will I be at a great disadvantage if I don't get the MBA? |
| Message: |
If you want to do consulting, the law degree will provide you little benefit. Most of my friends in the JD/MBA programs are leaning towards using their business skills after graduation and their law degrees add little value given they are already at a top B-school. (I am a Stanford MBA currently). Unless you really want to practice law, don't waste the additional two years. In the end, you won't be compensated any differently (JD / no JD) if you work in consulting. Two additional years of lost wages and grad school costs is a big commitment if you're not sure.
So, the decision between Harvard and Stanford MBA. I had the same decision and, for a variety of reasons, I chose Stanford (as do approximately 75% of students admitted to both programs). Stanford's culture is truly amazing - what you learn in B-school, you'll learn from your peers and the type of students attending each school are very different. Stanford is much more cooperative and is more open to student directed learning. Plus, the small class size leads to an intimate learning experience (without lacking diversity).
Hope this helps...
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