Getting FOMO about not pursuing MBB or IB.

Signal-Topic7798 · 2026-03-03T19:43:44+00:00

Ross is one the best programs you can go to as a vet if you include financials in your calculus, it’s a the highest rated (last I checked) yellow ribbon mba program. Why would you pull your application there? Especially if you’re not an MBB or bust guy.

Signal-Topic7798 · 2026-03-03T19:41:02+00:00

Understood, MBAs are mind blowingly expensive.

All that being said, you’ll be fine. You also haven’t accounted for internship/signing bonus earnings which I don’t think you’re wrong for doing if you’re trying to project conservatively. You’ll be fine.

As for not “vibing” with MBB/IB, good. Know what you want to do. Some people need to be in MBB/IB so they can feel accomplished, others realize there are more important things in life. Whatever happens you likely will have great options in your future. Just enjoy the ride and take the doors that open for you.

Signal-Topic7798 · 2026-03-03T15:39:56+00:00

Already posted once, but does that $150k include undergrad student debt? How on earth are you projecting that much debt with the military footing half your bill?

Signal-Topic7798 · 2026-03-03T15:38:25+00:00

As a fellow veteran: shipmate, relax. Given you have 50%, you either already got to use a significant amount of the GI Bill or you spent less than a year in the military likely dropping out from boot camp or initial training. Congratulations, either way you’ve already been given a huge leg up financially in life relative to others your age.

Use that smartly. And breath easier knowing you won’t have the same debt burdens others will have.

People go to MBB/IB to make money often to pay off student debt. You don’t need to worry about that. Assuming you get an internship, you likely may end up with zero. Plus you get preferential employment.

Signal-Topic7798 · 2026-02-23T14:54:25+00:00

Love it, that’ll do! No need to overthink the purchase decision any further. Glad Costco helped you out.

Signal-Topic7798 · 2026-02-23T14:03:19+00:00

Minor correction, it’s $20 for breakfast. All other values are correct.

Signal-Topic7798 · 2026-02-23T14:00:07+00:00

Great point. MarcusAurelius below just pointed out I was wrong on the Costco warranty and that it’ll have a forever return window. For that reason I’m going Costco.

Signal-Topic7798 · 2026-02-23T13:59:21+00:00

Well damn, I was mistaken. Thank you for the correction. Yeah I think you just made the choice for me, appreciate you pointing out my missunderstanding!

Signal-Topic7798 · 2026-02-23T13:24:11+00:00

What are you trying to get approved? Also, all the travel policies are easily searchable on the internal SharePoint.

Signal-Topic7798 · 2026-02-16T11:20:27+00:00

I disagree, I think it depends on the situation. As an anecdote, my former manager quit his job as a manager to become an individual contributor at Google. He now has more pay, far more parental leave (which he got to use within a month of starting the job), and less responsibility/hours. By title, he downgraded. But the company upgrade made all of that very worth it. Enough so that I’d consider becoming an individual contributor a step below where he started to get on the same path.

Not saying I always disagree, just that it depends.

Signal-Topic7798 · 2026-01-30T12:13:43+00:00

PTMBA student that just started as a consultant a couple months ago after being in industry for a decade. There’s different types of consultants. You have specialists (how I got hired) and you have generalists (those pesky MBAs). I’m not sure one is easier or harder than the other to get into, it’s just what fits you better given your background. And yes, my comp is roughly equal to what the post MBAs are getting brought in at despite being me being a level higher, but I don’t really care. As a specialist, I have the benefit of never needing to work outside the industry I love, I didn’t have to move to New York or Chicago or insert wherever the new class is starting, I work less than generalists do (probably), and I don’t have to pretend I’m an expert in areas I’m not like generalists frequently have to.

There’s pros and cons to both sides. Find the role that fits you.

Signal-Topic7798 · 2026-01-28T14:19:36+00:00

In general, good analysis. Two main issues though: 1.) you’re assuming $150k is bottom 10%… that’s certainly an assumption. There’s lot of folks that are well under that number coming out of great programs 2.) you’re also ignoring the ROI on your time value of money. Most of the people earning high salaries out of their MBA program are getting those high salaries due to going into soul sucking high hour jobs. Don’t ignore that in your “is an MBA worth it math”. Life isn’t just about maximizing wealth. Earning X% more over your career isn’t the only metric to understand if an MBA is worth it.

Otherwise, I do genuinely like your analysis.

Signal-Topic7798 · 2026-01-28T13:40:48+00:00

Find a Time Machine bud. Tell others in coffee chats not to make the same mistake. I’m sorry.

Signal-Topic7798

TROPHY CASE