Would enrolling in the MBA of a top school help you get into a top PhD program?

[SpottyRecord]

Say you really want to go to Northwestern to get a PhD, but your odds are remote due to a spotty academic record (PhD adcomms don't want to risk a precious slot on someone who is a high dropout risk).

Would it be a good strategy to apply to both their MBA and PhD programs? (assume it's reasonably likely that you could get into the MBA program)

My thinking is that this would:

1) allow a person 2 years to get to know--and impress--relevant professors you want to work with (I imagine getting letters of rec from Northwestern professors would be helpful on one's PhD application to Northwestern)

2) diminish fears that you're a dropout risk (assuming you finish the MBA!)


Relatedly, would having this elite-level MBA on your resume then also improve your odds of getting into other top PhD programs (Harvard et al)?

What do you guys think?

[PhDCPA]

I would say no. Good grades in an MBA program are not all that impressive. The classes are much easier than PhD classes, and grading is typically pretty generous. You will learn nothing about research and very little about the theory behind whatever field of business you're interested in (for example, PhD finance is nothing at all like MBA finance).

You'd be much better served by getting a master's in econ or stats, getting good grades and strong references attesting to your research abilities.

Plus, can you apply to both the MBA and PhD programs at the same school? Many schools do not allow you to apply to multiple programs in the same year. Plus it is an awful signal to the PhD program if they see that you also applied for the MBA.

[oldprogrammer]

Originally Posted by PhDCPA

Plus, can you apply to both the MBA and PhD programs at the same school? Many schools do not allow you to apply to multiple programs in the same year. Plus it is an awful signal to the PhD program if they see that you also applied for the MBA.

This is an interesting question. I would say, no, you can't apply to both unless it was stated very well in the MBA statement of purpose. And then you run the risk of appearing naive about the process and mistaking an MBA as good preparation for a PhD.

However, I see many, many PhD profiles at top schools (and many professors, for that matter) who list a less-than-prestigious undergraduate degree, followed by a prestigious MBA and a prestigious PhD. This would lead me to conclude that it is possible to go MBA to PhD. But I would guess that it is done from the angle "I didn't realize I wanted to pursue research in business until I was in the MBA program."

So I think the general idea of the OP is a reasonable one: you can use an MBA as a gateway to a top PhD program. However, I would think the best option would be to apply only to the MBA program, knock 'em dead, have an epiphany, do some research, get great LORs, and apply to the PhD program.

But this is a very risky strategy. Business PhD programs admit so few students that applying to only one program is just asking for it. Not to mention the enormous cost of the MBA program.

[vega]

I would generally say that it's not prudent to apply to both programs (MBA and PhD) simultaneously, in particular at the same school. Doing so communicates that you don't really know what you want to do. At least for MBA applications, that's a deal breaker (I can say that as I'm currently in an MBA program at Booth). To that end, I'm guessing it's also a deal breaker for the PhD program, largely because they are so much more selective, and consequently, they have an awful lot of applicants who dream of a PhD, as opposed to making it look like it's a back-up.

To that end, however, I have to disagree with one of the earlier posters about whether or not the MBA is useful in getting into the PhD program. I know a few Booth students who have directly entered the PhD program following the MBA. Moreover, the coursework in the MBA programs can be PhD grade work, at least if you actively seek out those classes. For instance, at least at Booth, if you do the analytic finance emphasis with your MBA, you have the option of taking PhD level coursework with Fama and company. To that end, you are literally taking classes with the PhD students, getting to know them, and the professors in that light. That scenario, which may be unique to Booth - that I don't know, would certainly help in the PhD admissions process.

[phdhope]

I would strongly argue against applying to both programs. I would say that an MBA could help hide to some degree a bad undergrad career. However, I think there are better masters programs that prepare a person for a phd than an MBA. BYU has a master's program designed to prepare students for phds in accounting that would send a positive signal that a person is interested in academia. Finding a program like theirs would be really good since I do agree that MBA programs are slightly irrelevant and sends bad signals to admission comittees.

[oldprogrammer]

Phdhope's post implies an important question: which field/specialization of business are we talking about?

[ThatGuyOverThere]

I partially disagree. At one of the top 5 schools I know, at least one person a year goes from the MBA to the PhD program. This is never the result of a preplanned effort, like the OP is proposing, but the result of an individual impressing his or her professors, and being invited to apply by one or more of them. I wouldn't suggest doing an MBA to get into a PhD program - it is a very expensive risk, but going from MBA to PhD does happen.