Will Marine Corps. help me or set me back for MBA programs?

Question

I have two years left at a top 10-15 undergrad b-school. I am majoring in both Finance & Accounting and I have done internships at two different Fortune 500's (Manufacturing, Oil). I have a 3.0, am VP of my frat, and have three good recs. I will have my CPA when I graduate and approximately a 700-720 on the GMAT.

I want to work in the banking industry as a career (prob Investment Management or Commercial Lending). I know I need an MBA, and I would prefer to study at one of the top tier programs, but I want to enlist in the Marines (active duty) as an Intel officer when I graduate for 4-5 years.

First, would serving 4-5 years in the military instead of 4-5 years at a bank hurt my chances of getting into a good grad school? Also, could I get a Finance job after returning from active duty that would allow me to test for the CFA before I had my MBA? (I would do an MBA night or weekend program while working)

I want the challenge and I consider service a duty and honor, am I crazy?

Answer 1

You aren't crazy at all; it is admirable to do what you believe in. I've had hundreds of students over the years of teaching MBAs who had either just left, or were still on active duty in, the military. In the right kind of position, you get managerial experience there - perhaps better than that you would get only a few years out of college in industry. There will be some challenges; you won't have as much exposure to the business world as some, but if you look at schools which focus more on management than on business, you should do fine.

Answer 2

I am a veteran of the Army. I recently got out. Here is my opinion.

You seem to be very well educated and set for the financial world. I suggest finishing school and earning the bare minimum time in a bank if the current career track is what you want to do for a living. Most people get into the service to earn the GI bill so they can go to college, and earn a better living. You do not seem to have that problem, since you seem already well on your way.

You want a challenge? May I suggest trying to start up your own company or business? That is a huge challenge in itself.
If you want to help out our service members you could do better by setting up your own firm that teaches and educates members of our armed forces on how to invest and take better care of their money. Perhaps try to earn a contract with the government to do so, that way you can support us free of charge to the solider.

Are intell jobs is what fascinates you? Still want to serve our nation? Ever considered working for the US secret service or the FBI counter-intel department? Correct me if I am wrong, yet the secret service deals in catching and finding counterfeiters and frauds and your background is what they are looking for. Not to mention with enough time in you can get the honor to serve your country by guarding the president and other government officials. Serving enough time in this department would make you look good for such things are very useful in your preferred field. Why not give one our many intell agencies a call, like the CIA? Your background may be the ticket to your dreams and to fulfill your sense of duty.

Serving in the marines is definitely not going to enhance your career. Especially not the marines. You will not place your education to use, will waste time and possibility money you could have earned in the mean time. Believe me, I know.
Edit: If you still want to go in, talk to me when you think your recruiter is not telling you everything or isn't completely honest. I admire you for wanting to do this and either way I aplaud you.)

Answer 3

The MArines might even put you through college if you up the ante.

In any event they will pay for most of your MBA education at a good school with the college funding.

I don't know how it works in the Marines, but in the Army Doctors got in as Captain automatically. So if you can go in as a higher grade officer with your MBA that might be something worth thinking about, but if there is no difference then do it now and let them pay for college.

Answer 4

I in reality had enlisted below that for the period of the Nam era. Later as i replace into upon my 2 an prolonged time i'd desire to placed on my 5th hash mark early. It replace into April of seventy 5 so 2 an prolonged time later i'd desire to in reality placed it directly to tutor 2 an prolonged time of provider yet i did not pass hit that 20 until eventually Sept. surprisingly cool. i replace into additionally ACS(for the duration of uneven seas)for 5 years so each year I have been given or rated a celebrity on my over seas ribbon using fact i replace into with a installation in a position unit. So once I got here lower back state ingredient a lot of human beings considered that ribbon and basically figured I have been on quite some deployments. sure I had to 3 section yet not as many as all of them theory. i replace into not tricking everyone they only assumed. And all of us know what meaning. I additionally had 8 rifle expert badges, replace into ask to pass into the sniper college yet i didn't wish that ghost with me later in lifestyles have been given sufficient as that's.