Post USMA Options

[ArmyWP77]

Hi All,

As an appointed member of next year’s class I have a few questions regarding my possible options after USMA. I know I want to pursue an MBA eventually so I will most likely study Economics at USMA. After graduation I know I will be placed into my branch and serve for some amount of years. But my question relates to graduate school. I know that the Army will pay for Medical or Law School, but do they have an option of paying for MBA as well. From my understanding GrADSO is suspended most likely forever so what options do I have. Will I be able to attend a top business school for free or for more years of service? This route could normally cost up to $100k per year all-in which is almost unaffordable with an Army Officer salary and I’ll have loans for many years after. So is there any good route I can take with this? Possibly I could go for JD/MBA and would the Army pay for the first 3 years of this equivalent to law school and I pay the fourth year? Thanks!

 

[jl123]

Hi All,

As an appointed member of next year’s class I have a few questions regarding my possible options after USMA. I know I want to pursue an MBA eventually so I will most likely study Economics at USMA. After graduation I know I will be placed into my branch and serve for some amount of years. But my question relates to graduate school. I know that the Army will pay for Medical or Law School, but do they have an option of paying for MBA as well. From my understanding GrADSO is suspended most likely forever so what options do I have. Will I be able to attend a top business school for free or for more years of service? This route could normally cost up to $100k per year all-in which is almost unaffordable with an Army Officer salary and I’ll have loans for many years after. So is there any good route I can take with this? Possibly I could go for JD/MBA and would the Army pay for the first 3 years of this equivalent to law school and I pay the fourth year? Thanks!

1. Army will pay for almost any field of graduate study for those returning to teach at USMA (extra years of service required). Economics Department has instructors with MBA's from Ivy League schools. I don't know much about the path for those staying in uniform and not going back to USMA as an instructor.
2. Economics is an excellent major, but not required for MBA. You can major in anything and still go to top MBA and JD programs.
3. MBA/JD are popular routes for those separating from service.
4. Cost is not an issue for top MBA/JD programs, especially when graduating from USMA with no debt. You will get loans and pay them back without difficulty as long as you manage your finances wisely - I financed my MBA and paid off all loans within five years. The loans are an investment that produce returns in the form of much greater compensation and opportunities than would otherwise be available. There are doors that are open to those with a degree from a top MBA/JD school that are not open to others, unless they are extremely lucky or well connected.

 

[DrMom]

Medical service corps: MHA/MBA.
There are other specialties that lead to an opportunity for an MBA.

 

[UHBlackhawk]

Some functional areas such as Comptroler will require an advanced degree. The Army sends those selected to Syracuse or George Washington (I think), for those doing the MSC comptroler route.

 

[MidCakePa]

+1 on the comment that graduate business schools don’t expect you’ll have an economics or business degree. They look for a broad array of degrees — engineering, liberal arts, sciences. They mainly care that you got top grades and GMAT scores, have significant work experience and can enrich the incoming class.

I got my MBA from a Top 5 program and had several ex-officer classmates. They were an impressive bunch — mature, analytical, team-oriented. And I don’t recall an economics or business major in the bunch.

 

[Keyboard]

When I went for a visit, both the officer giving the brief in admissions and the psychology teacher of the class I sat in held MBA's. It adds time to the commitment, but it was paid for by the Army. I would also note what jl123 said about a return on investment.