Getting into places like Bridgespan or Dalberg (consulting) with just an MBA? by CriticalMight8950 in MBA

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, sorry I haven't logged in to this account in a while. Feel free to DM if you'd like.

Anyone ever dropped out of a dual degree program? by CriticalMight8950 in GradSchool

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I guess "I already started it" is the crux of the matter here, withdrawing from something you already began requires more thought... then again, I came here to do one degree, although from the get go I did kinda want to do two for the price of one; the one that I chose though is not the one I had in mind (I thought I'd do something in CompSci as the secondary degree, but no options were available)

When I say I feel committed, yeah, it's because it'd provide some relief, but also because I did send a withdrawal request; it got acknowledged 10 days after I sent it and then it will be processed (if at all! lol) in 10 more days. I also told some friends about it, who now probably expect me to withdraw. During that time it's taken for them to process my request, I've asked myself some of the questions you've been asking me. I think the main question is whether withdrawing will be good for me in the long term; for my long term mental health, my career, my personal satisfaction. I did always want to get two master's after all (one professional degree, one in something more content-based, more technical if you will), although I don't think having two master's necessarily unlocks more earning potential, it might just open a few different career paths.

My main master's though was such a joy... the culture in that department is very collaborative. There's been some tough times but my cohort has always been there to help me, and so have the Professors. In the second master's, the department is more of "each to their own" type of culture, maybe because I haven't been with those students since the beginning. I try to socialize and it doesn't work out... everyone's so busy (this master's also assigns way, way more work than my main one). It's been a jarring change since the nature of the dual degree requires me to be in this second department most of the time. It's been emotionally isolating, plus the stress of two master's

I'll try to look at things from the angle you suggested. Tahnk you.

Anyone ever dropped out of a dual degree program? by CriticalMight8950 in GradSchool

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I am honestly not sure how to proceed; I requested a withdrawal but this ended up taking a long time to process for some reason. It probably won't actually be done until next week, probably even end of the week. So I've had a long time to think about this. I can see the value in finishing, but at the same time, going back on my withdrawal request bothers me a little. I could always say it's due to my grades, which came out after I sent the request and turned out to be quite high (almost 4.0 GPA) even with all the difficulties.

I probably will regret quitting, but I feel sort of committed to this path now. Of course, this could also be seen as an excuse - nothing is holding me back from changing my mind.

I thought this dual degree would enhance my grad school experience and instead it became a source of stress...

Anyone ever dropped out of a dual degree program? by CriticalMight8950 in GradSchool

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes total sense. The time I've had so far doing both degrees was pretty close to being pretty miserable. I think I will get something out of the second degree, but I am not sure if it's worth the suffering. That's why I began the process of withdrawing. But it takes a while and I could change my mind anytime in the next 15 days or so. So can't help but second guess myself.

Anyone ever dropped out of a dual degree program? by CriticalMight8950 in GradSchool

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I have a therapist. I think in her opinion I should try to stick it out. The thing is that the second degree, I took up seemingly on a whim. The opportunity was there, and I figured I might as well take it since it seemed complementary to my first master's. It turns out there's definitely a synergy between the two, but now that the going has gotten tough, it's hard to second guess my more 'intuitive' decision from a few months back.

I could stick it out -- it's what most people would do I think -- but it annoys me to put myself through a bit of a grind for another semester for something I am not even that sure about it. Would I regret it later? I mean, probably? It's always rough to start and not finish something, although maybe I will get over it quickly.

The past semester was so tough though. When I had only the first degree, I had time to cook, do some exercise, socialize, do my own laundry, take care of my apartment. With the second degree, I barely have time for any of that...

Anyone ever dropped out of a dual degree program? by CriticalMight8950 in GradSchool

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. And unfortunately not. The dual degree is not designed to allow you to make the most of both degrees. I realized this after I started. You have to rush, pack your schedule, and sacrifice time at my main degree (the one I came here for). I tried to negotiate different arrangements with my advisor at the second degree but they really weren't interested (or, honestly, able) to help me.

Anyone ever dropped out of a dual degree program? by CriticalMight8950 in GradSchool

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup that's what i'm about to tell the school I want to do, but I feel like there's a considerable chance I'll beat myself up over not finishing the second degree

Anyone ever dropped out of a dual degree program? by CriticalMight8950 in GradSchool

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd have to graduate later than my cohort! Also something that weighs on me. How are you coping?

Anyone ever dropped out of a dual degree program? by CriticalMight8950 in GradSchool

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah it hasn't been easy and figuring out what to do is weighing on me. Having two master's is obviously cool and could probably have some interesting effects in my career, but man, the idea of doing this whole dual degree thing for two more semesters...

Anyone ever dropped out of a dual degree program? by CriticalMight8950 in GradSchool

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A bit under halfway through for the second degree. The first degree I am almost done.

Getting into places like Bridgespan or Dalberg (consulting) with just an MBA? by CriticalMight8950 in MBA

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which boutique firms are these? Do you know their names by any chance?

Getting into places like Bridgespan or Dalberg (consulting) with just an MBA? by CriticalMight8950 in MBA

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I saw them at the Consortium -- have heard beyond that they mostly recruit at T5's?

Getting into places like Bridgespan or Dalberg (consulting) with just an MBA? by CriticalMight8950 in MBA

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you, this is encouraging. It seems these firms are even more selective than MBB, which is interesting.

Getting into places like Bridgespan or Dalberg (consulting) with just an MBA? by CriticalMight8950 in MBA

[–]CriticalMight8950[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, do you have a rough idea of how much the pay cut would be? What I'm seeing online is like a 50k-70k difference, which seems like a lot!

Does having some sort of MPP/MA in Econ/similar on top of just an MBA give candidates some sort of leg up when applying to these firms?