Investment in top b- school

Maybe, but obviously there’s no way for any of us to tell with literally no information to go on.

If you’re in your mid- to late-20s (or a little older) and are looking to change career then it might be a good idea. If your career development expects it, as some roles in consulting and finance do, then it might be a good idea. If you feel that you want to start and run your own business but don’t have the skills, confidence, mindset or network to do it then it might be good idea. It’s hard to suggest more than it “might” be a good idea because there are legitimate reasons why it might not be, even under those circumstances.

If you don’t want to take a year (or two) off from your career, or having an MBA wouldn’t really help with your career, or you really don’t like academia, or you don’t have the credentials to get into a decent school, or you have a great job that you love already then it could be better not to go.

Business school is time-consuming and costly. The opportunity cost of going is large (for me, something like $250k and that was more than a decade ago). And you only get to do it once – it can be a great way to switch careers without taking a backward step but once you’ve taken that step you don’t get to take it again if you’re unhappy with where you ended up. It’s not for everyone and even people for whom it is a suitable it’s a serious decision that deserves a lot of thought and consideration of the implications. Especially financially.

And don’t forget to factor in the uncertainty. When I graduated in 2005 the world looked great and the opportunities were abundant. 2 years later I was talking to people who were trying to get into finance and struggling because the downturn had begun. By 2008/9 people who’d gone to my school hoping to snap up a job a big investment bank were just grateful if they could get back in to their previous jobs at their previous levels. It doesn’t always work out the way you want it to.

So have a good think about it. Don’t rush into it. Speak to people who are where you want to be. Consider your finances. And then make a decision. There’s no universal right answer here.