That's what I was thinking, Prawler, but I keep reading that an MBA is not as appropriate preparation for a PhD as an MS. So I guess it's weighing appropriateness of curriculum (UT-Dallas) versus prestige and faculty access (UT-Austin). And to reiterate my particular situation, I have been out of school for about 8 years and need to go back to school to get those all important
LORs and re-familiarize myself with the management curriculum.
What about Indiana's Kelley Direct online MBA? I would typically dismiss any kind of online degree, but Indiana's MBA is well-respected. I just don't know if that translates to it's "Direct" program, and how PhD AdComs would look at it.