Career Switchers Weigh MBA Tuition Against Thin Admissions Odds
Aspiring MBA students are grappling with the high cost of programs, scholarship opportunities, and the competitive landscape for admissions. Concerns about ROI, career transitions, and program fit are prevalent.
SOURCES (60)
“Hey everyone, first-time poster here. Quick background: graduated in 2024 8/8/8 GNEM did freelance sales work after graduation, then had to take a gap due to serious health issues - I also attempted competitive exams during that period but messed up. I'm healthy now and…”
“Hey everyone, first-time poster here. Quick background: graduated in 2024 8/8/8 GNEM fresher, did freelance sales work after graduation, then had to take a gap due to serious health issues - I also attempted CAT during that period but messed up. I'm healthy now and focused on building toward an MBA abroad via GMAT after gaining some work experience, but I'm pretty new to the whole process and could use some guidance regarding strong profile i should build. Right now I have two job option”
“Not entirely sure how to word this, but I’ll get started. Looking to get into an MBA program, because I hear it’s somewhat broad and gives some options (I don’t actually know). I’m currently active duty in the military and plan on doing 20 yrs to retire but want options in case it doesn’t work out, and I wanna work when I get out. What is your all thoughts and idea for an MBA? Would I be able to use it when I get out to apply for employment? Is it useful as an outside hire or is it only somethin”
“In 2024 I gradated with a degree in poli sci and hated it . I’m trying to get into business/ finance world . Is getting an MBA with a concentration the only clear path for a pivot ? submitted by /u/Greedy-Language8038 [link] [comments]”
“Hi everyone, this is my first time writing here and I’d really appreciate your insights and advice. I’m currently taking my MBA and I’m thinking about two things: Thesis Strategy – What’s a smarter, more practical way to choose a company, a topic, or identify a problem for my thesis? I feel overwhelmed with so many questions and issues happening around us, but I know it’ll be easier if I can narrow down to something specific. I’ve been considering topics related to gas/oil, especially with the c”
“Using a new account because my background is fairly specific and I would prefer not to connect this post to my professional profile. I have generalized a few details, but the overall profile is accurate. I’m an active duty senior enlisted service member retiring in roughly two years after a 20 year career. I’ll be around 40 when I apply and 41 when I would start an MBA. Profile: 20 years of military operations and leadership experience Career focused on NC2 and national security operations Multi”
“27 and currently working at a startup in a role I enjoy. Happy with comp as well around ~$180K+ and have a strong upward growth trajectory, but I’m considering applying to MBA programs this fall. I would likely want a job similar to my current role after business school, so I’m not necessarily looking for a career pivot. Considering bc: Network, which I imagine could compound significantly over time Social experience and opportunity to meet great friends / like-minded people Taking a break after”
“Hi I'm a non US based foreign service officer thinking about getting an MBA degree. I've been really interested in finance & just studying about business in general for a while so I kind of made up my mind that I'd get an MBA degree(preferably M7) no matter what. The thing is my organization does not allow for educational leave for MBA, unless for select few exceptional cases so there is a very high chance that I will have to totally ditch my job entirely if I want to pursue an M”
“Everyone talks about investment banking and consulting as the go-to post-MBA paths (and they can be incredible careers), but really, an MBA can take you into all kinds of industries. We’ve met many MBA alumni who have gone into fields like sports media, social impact/non-profit work, and even opening their own family business. Learning about diverse career paths can help you visualize a post-MBA life that aligns with your goals. What’s the coolest or most interesting MBA career you’ve come acros”
“Hi everyone, I’m reapplying to top US MBA programs this year after being waitlisted last cycle. While reflecting on my previous applications, I realized one area I could have articulated much better was my corporate law to MBA pivot and how it connects to my post-MBA goals. I’m hoping to connect with people who have made a similar transition from corporate law to an MBA . I’d love to learn how you framed your story, explained your motivation for pursuing an MBA, and connected your legal backgrou”
“I hear this a lot, especially when people talk about MBA recruiting, but I'm curious how true it actually is. If you ended up in finance (IB, PE, AM, corp fin, etc.), do you think your MBA genuinely opened doors that would've been hard or impossible to get through otherwise? Was it mostly the school's brand, OCR, alumni network, or just the fact that you took two years to reset your career? Looking back, do you think you'd have ended up in the same place without the MBA? su”
“Hi guys, I'm a non traditional applicant, looking to apply to mainly US and some EU MBA schools this year. Female, 28Y. GPA: 3.9 Background: Creative Field Work ex: 5 Years GRE Score: need to retake (scoring ~318 in mocks) Successful career as a creative, also had a startup of my own. Want to move towards marketing/ strategy. I feel I might benefit working with a consultant since not many people from my background apply and the narrative needs to be strong. I have spoken to Mansie Dewan, Bal”
“Woman, Asian late 30s, lead in-house counsel/ manager at a a tech company, with roughly 8 years of experience. Had a weird career path, and would like to know if chasing a fully funded MBA at this stage is realistic or delusional. Graduated in 2013 with a 3.87 CGPA, but couldn't work full-time for the next 7 years due to the caregiving obligations. Did a short stint at the appellate bench of our SEC-equivalent (but had to quit), some tutoring, volunteering with a big charity-run school, huma”
“I’m from Germany, work as an account manager and a B.Sc in Mechanical Engineering (finished 5 years ago) I want to go up the career ladder and was thinking to do a MBA as a part time study besides my job via an online university called IU. Have some of you experiences about a plan like this? submitted by /u/eggerrtt [link] [comments]”
“I have 6+ years of experience and am currently at a top 15 EMBA program. Should I apply as an experienced hire or follow MBA applications for MBB? What about Big four? submitted by /u/General_Durian_8071 [link] [comments]”
“I'm considering on getting my MBA degree online I currently have a bachelor's of data science but I want know what kinds of jobs can I get with a MBA ? submitted by /u/Ashleyma96 [link] [comments]”
“TL;DR: Early-30s, MBA. Cushy front office gig at a bank; could coast for years. Have an MBB offer. Not scared of the grind - just not sure the brand and exits still clear the up-or-out risk, especially when the market seems to be repricing generalists down and domain depth up. Worth it or not? Throwaway. Current role: cushy front office technical, modeling-heavy role at a bank respected in the niche. Slow progression, but it's stable. The offer: MBB Senior Associate (post-MBA; ~20% higher TC”
“I’m thinking about going back to school to get a MBA. Currently I’m a mid level to senior level manager. I am 51 years old and have been working as a project manager and program manager in the utility industry for the last 25 years. With my current courtesy title as a CET (Civil Engineer Technologist) I believe I’ll be accepted into their program as a professional. Does anybody at my age with my experience have any advice? submitted by /u/Emotional-Target7189 [link] [comments]”
“Hi everyone, I'm hoping to get some advice from people who have either gone through the MiM recruiting process or are familiar with consulting recruiting in the U.S. A little about my background: International applicant (India) Graduated from a well-regarded U.S. liberal arts university with a B.B.A. in Management Consulting Around 1–2 years of experience across consulting, product strategy, entrepreneurship, and corporate strategy, including work with startups and a Big 4 firm Currently pre”
“Hey everyone, I’m a 32 year old recent U.S. MBA graduate trying to decide between two offers and I’d love to hear perspectives from people who’ve worked in consulting or made a similar decision. Option 1: F500 Industrials Leadership Development Program $150k base $45k signing bonus Two-year leadership development program with rotations/exposure to strategy and business leadership After the 2 years, participants move into Senior Manager/Director-level roles in Product Management, Operations, or C”
“I’m trying to decide whether pursuing an MBA is a smart investment or if I am just chasing a credential. A bit about my background: I am 30 years old and currently work in IT. I have two 3-year advanced diplomas: Business Administration – Accounting Computer Engineering Technology – Computing Science I do not have a bachelor's degree. I have been admitted into a Professional MBA program based on my education and work experience. The reason I am considering an MBA is because I have noticed th”
“For those who have attended (or recently graduated from) an M7 MBA, how are you viewing the ROI in today’s market? Compared to the pre 2019 market, do you think the ROI is still there? How is the job market for career pivots into tech or finance? Are traditional post MBA general management roles also becoming more vulnerable because of AI? Beyond the network and brand name, do you feel an M7 MBA still provides a meaningful career and financial return, or has the value proposition changed signifi”
“Debating applying to an MBA at end of summer, but unsure if it’s worth it…. Current situation: I’m in my mid 20s, on the investment team of a small VC fund, and making a low salary since it’s a new first time fund. If the fund does well, i believe theres potentially a path to partner within the next several years. Have been here since college. If I stay here, my base comp would probably stay <$150K for a while until the fund grows or has a big exit. Am based in SF so this salary doesn’t go th”
“Exiting MBB consulting after 3 years to a cushiony corporate strategy role making 280k. Considering applying to an MBA. Is it worth it? Only value I see is the network. Can take sponsorship but hoping to get scholarships to cover. submitted by /u/You_Can_Really_Dance [link] [comments]”
“I’m looking for some honest advice. Here’s my situation: 34 years old B.A. in Psychology Currently a Senior Compliance Officer for a state government agency with a little over 4 years of experience. Current salary is about $65k/year. I’m about a year away from finishing an AACSB-accredited online MBA at the University of New Mexico and currently have a 4.0 GPA. I’ll have around $35k invested in the degree by the time I graduate. I don’t necessarily want to stay in my current role forever. I’m in”
“hi all i finished my mba in business management with business analytics concentration and its non stem and still with updated resume i am unable to find jobs. I subscribed Linkin, migrate mate, handshake , glass door etc but I could not land on any and the college is also not helping . I paid money for agencies but thats also all wasted. time is running out!!! .. Help appreciate submitted by /u/Living-Bank-5237 [link] [comments]”
“Hello everyone, I am about to finish my MBA soon, I'll have a BS in Business Administration and my MBA from an okay university. I did some consulting work independently before with measurable outcomes (total experience is about 6 projects). I am also working on project management and business development programs from platforms like edX and Coursera. I have strong technical skills (Python, Big Data, AI, ML, and DL). What kind of roles can I get remotly in the US? Thanks a lot submitted”
“Hi All, really appreciate any advice I can get. I am in my early 30s, engineering background with a nothing undergrad school and a decent grad school and working for a F500 company for a couple of years. I really want to make it into a PT program in one of the M7 schools, particularly in Chicago since I live in the mid-west and the commute would be decent. What is the minimum GMAT score I need to aim for to get into one of these programs? I know the requirements are a bit more relaxed than the F”
“With almost every company pivoting their budgets and hiring toward AI and tech, do you think traditional MBAs will lose their value? or MBA colleges are adapting to this new tech advancements? submitted by /u/BrickLarge5819 [link] [comments]”
“Graduated a month ago and I'm curious what everyone's path looked like. Did you jump straight into a job? What role did you start in, and did it actually help when you applied for an MBA?Do you wish you'd chosen a different role or company? And if you could go back, what would you do differently? Just trying to get a realistic idea of what people actually did after graduating. submitted by /u/No-Bug626 [link] [comments]”
“I’ve already seen a bunch of posts of people asking if they should get an MBA out of college, and the overwhelming answer is no. However, I am in a position I have a lot of years left of free school thanks to military aide and my degree is in health sciences, practically useless on its own. My original goal was healthcare but I do not enjoy medicine (also an emt) and I do not like people enough I want to study at school for years after ungrad. Is there any one who’s had similar experiences, or a”
“Late 20s, first-generation university graduate, international applicant. Education BA, Humanities/Social Sciences, top UK university — First Class Honours Master's, Management, top UK university — top marks/distinction Funded by a scholarship Test scores GRE 322 (164V/158Q) Work experience (~5 years) Public-sector digitalisation projects — led digital/process improvement projects with measurable cost and efficiency gains Prior short-term strategy consulting engagement — contributed to a clie”
“I’m attending this year’s NBMBAA Conference as a second-year MBA student and would love to hear from people who’ve gone through Job Match before. For early access registrations, a few questions: - How many interview invitations did you receive through Job Match? - Did you apply to specific roles beforehand, or were recruiters reaching out based on your profile? - If you interviewed on-site, did you know the specific role beforehand or was it a general recruiter/hiring manager interview? - Any ti”
“Long story, late bloomer (31 F) .. just finished my BA in History & Poli Sci, waiting for conferral. My intention is MAcc at a SUNY school or the accelerated program at UTRGV. Most of my electives in undergrad were business courses, if that helps. I’ve worked the past 2 years in medical billing handling most aspects of the revenue lifecycle, AP/AR, Collections etc. it’s what led me to accounting actually. My goals are MA, then the CFE first as somewhere within the fraud/auditing areas is my”
“Any recommendations on suits for MBA? Number to have in rotation, color(s), and good quality but affordable stores to check out to purchase? submitted by /u/Mobile_Tiger_5116 [link] [comments]”
“Weighing ROI here. I am active duty E7 with 17 years in the military. My current role is operations manager over 300+ personnel. I have my AAS in Criminal Justice, BS in Environmental Science, MS in Environmental Policy and Management and PMP. Looking at EHS, Environmental Director, or CRO roles potentially with Oil and Gas. I dont have business experience outside of my personal part-time real estate sales. Wondering if the MBA would be worth it to at least get some traditional corporate knowled”
“FGLI person here, who never dealt with loans in undergrad but now trying to figure out how I pay for my PT-MBA at a M7. I saw online that you could possibly use your Roth-IRA, but that doesn’t seem like the best idea. I got no scholarships and each class is around $8k. I’ve taken a few classes now and have paid out of pocket and used my employer’s tuition refund (which covers 1 class), but I want to ramp up but am afraid to take on loans or go into any debt. I’m single, single parent household (”
“I'm thinking of applying for an MBA at a top business school. However before I sink my teeth into it, I want to evaluate my chances. Haven't taken the GRE/GMAT and I'm planning to apply for next year. Country: India Background: 5 years work experience spread across EY, PwC and Oracle Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Tier 2 Indian college (not top tier) Age/Gender: 26 years Female Domain: Risk Consulting (Audits, Information Security, SOX, SOC, GDPR etc.) Spikes: A”
“Hi everyone, I am a June admit for a full time mba program that starts this fall for a T30 school, and wanted to know if anyone knows of any external scholarships available? I was able to get a GMAT/GRE waiver due to being a late admin and have a 3.7 Undergrad GPA from a MSI University with 5 YOE across policy/consulting and tech. I was surprised to get admitted so quickly, but looking for some programs or scholarships asap. submitted by /u/Massive_Armadillo445 [link] [comments”
“I currently hold a bachelor and master in Accountancy from a business B-School, who then pivoted into CyberSecurity and hold a CISSP now. I currently work as a Senior Architect in the healthcare field, graduated in 2017 from my masters. I see most senior directors, VPs, etc. hold an MBA, sometimes they are from a T15 school, but some are from whatever B-Schools. I'm in the New England area and make $185k currently. I'm confused if taking off a few years of work would make sense to pursue”
“Were you able to find a job after graduating? How long did it take? Did you get a role in your previous industry or have to switch? If you’re an int’l student were you able to secure sponsorship or did you have to return home? submitted by /u/IllustratorFine5241 [link] [comments]”
“Need some career advice. Background: 1.5 years at MBB, and I’ll have ~4–4.5 years of experience when I apply for a top international MBA. I’m currently in a CEO’s office role and have the opportunity to move into Supply Chain in the same org. The role offers significant ownership, operational depth, and the chance to transform a messy function under a great leader. My concern is whether moving from a CEO-office/generalist role into a functional role hurts long-term optionality (MBA admissions, V”
“Hey! I'm thinking about applying to some T20 MBA programs and I'm wondering how many years of professional experience most people had before applying? I got out of the navy back in 2020 after 4 years and 2 deployments. Immediately started my UG at a mid tier public university and got my degree in 2024. (My GPA wasn't amazing). I moved back to the DC area and managed to get a job in the private sector as a government contractor (it really helped that I had an active security clearance”
“24M with psychology degree, 2.8 GPA, 6 years work experience, looking to transition careers through an MBA. Considering Information Systems at UNC Charlotte/UNCW/NC State while continuing to work. Trying to understand realistic workload, internships, and job outcomes. Anyone come from a non-business background? submitted by /u/DetailOk5002 [link] [comments]”
“First, I realize that there are a ton of posts here already from older/more experienced folks contemplating the MBA path. Almost all of those that I saw were from folks who are thinking about 1) traditional FTMBA and/or 2) Top or Magnificent whatever. That is not me. I'm a 47-year-old IT manager who's on the verge of moving to director level. I've been in tech since I was 19 and it took me a longer time than many to get to any seniority, mostly because I enjoyed and was satisfied wit”
“About to start a dual MS Pharmacology and MBA program at a school that’s scientifically prestigious but MBA wise is pretty low. The dream is to get into life science consulting and eventually transition into some commercial strategy at a pharmaceutical company. How can I market myself to these companies that seem to only hire from T25 programs? submitted by /u/Low_Boss_2598 [link] [comments]”
“Hey all! curious to hear from Executive MBA grads about whether the degree actually paid off after graduation. I’m especially interested in people who worked at Big 4 firms and did their EMBA at places like UCLA or similar schools, but I’d love to hear from anyone with firsthand experience. Main things I’m wondering: Did the EMBA end up being worth the money? Did it help your career in a real way? (promotion, comp bump, career switch, better opportunities?) How much of the value came from the ne”
“Do MBAs from outside the U.S. carry the same weight in the U.S. job market? I’m considering getting an MBA outside the United States, mainly because the programs are significantly less expensive and can often be completed in a shorter amount of time. My question is: how are international MBAs viewed by employers in the U.S.? For example, if the MBA is from a well-respected university in Europe, does it generally translate well when applying for jobs back in the States? Or are they viewed as less”
“I have a bachelor’s degree, I’m from here, and I served in the military. But based on what everyone is saying, it doesn’t seem like getting an MBA is worth it. With all the comments I’ve been reading and the rise of AI, I think I might just go into HVAC instead? Just asking for anyone’s opinion? submitted by /u/TeaOne2823 [link] [comments]”
“I see posts on this subreddit in my feed, and I’ve noticed that many of the posts are about the downfall of the MBA and questioning the value of the degree. I thought it might be useful to share a perspective from someone who is almost 10 years out. I graduated from a top-10 MBA program (there are 15 schools that can claim this) in 2017 after spending four years working. I was a career switcher and went into business school with a plan to recruit for banking Recruiting started almost immediately”
“Hi everyone, I’m 23F from India and planning to apply to T15 MBA programs in the next 2 years. And I need guidance for building a strong profile. My Background: Education: BE from a Tier-1 engineering college in India (CGPA: 8/10) GRE: 325 (168Q, 157V); planning to retake and aiming for 330+ Planning to give CFA l1 Work Experience: 1 year of experience as a Market Risk Analyst at a bulge-bracket bank (middle office role) Extracurriculars: No major extracurriculars. Post mba goals: IB/consulting”
“Hey all, I'm wondering if an MBA would be worth it for me to pivot out of a career in executive protection and into some boring 9-5 style corporate gig. For context about my background, I'm 27 years old and my bachelor's degree was in Criminal Justice. I spent 6 years in the Army NG Infantry and deployed to Afghanistan. I have about 6 years of executive protection experience, 4 of those years have been managing and hiring staff members on top of my EP details. I've hit the ceilin”
“I'm trying to get a realistic sense of my career prospects after an MBA and would appreciate feedback from people who've gone through recruiting. Here's my background: 5 years in the Navy Then, 1.5 years as a at a tech company along as part of on boarding and maintenance. Basically tech support for mid level and large business clients, for account management team. Now, B.S. in Computer Science from Ivy League school Planning on attending to a T15 starting this fall immediately after”
“hi everyone, im currently doing my bachelor's and aiming for a good mba college since my school and university don't offer a variety of extracurricular activities or leadership programs. I was hoping to take advice from you all as to where do I start, and also, if anybody is already in a good university, can you maybe send me your resume or guide me as to what makes an application stand out from others that will be a great help submitted by /u/yourunpaidtherapist_ [link]  ”
“I am great at organisation and people management. Been in training roles all my working life. I wish to get into L and D or corporate training. Is it worth it?? submitted by /u/No-Contribution-6362 [link] [comments]”
“Hello all! Looking for somebody who is in or has been graduated from M7 MBA programs. How was the interview, what is asked usually? submitted by /u/nnnhhh3195 [link] [comments]”
“Debating whether this new concept of MiM is actually as useful as everyone makes it sound to be or does the traditional MBA post 3-4 Years of work experience still trump an MiM in the long term ? submitted by /u/GBgotSomeAnswers [link] [comments]”