mackintosh

I've heard that MBA programs aren't really worth the cost unless you're going into a top five or top ten program. As much as I would love to go to Harvard, Stanford, or MIT, my GPA will probably be a glaring blemish on my undergrad record. This is an additional reason why I was looking at studying EE first in order to boost my GPA and make my application more appealing. As for work experience, I'll have 8 years in active duty military service by the timeframe I'm looking to apply. That work experience is not really tied to EE type work though; actually it lends more towards management with a heavy emphasis on management. I'm fairly confident I will have good LoRs to strengthen my packet as well. But does being away from the school house make me more or less appealing to either program?

I could only find a few options for dual degrees: ASU, Cornell and MIT. The latter two have a top-ten MBA program which would look significantly better to potential employers. I'm not positive if I can get into Cornell or MIT on the first go due to grades and GRE scores alone, which is another reason why I would like to do the engineering program first, in order to recover from a lower undergrad GPA. I've heard that reapplying the following year, increases chances of acceptance in some programs. But what is the general sentiments if I applied to two separate programs but I'm accepted to both and then having to decline. Or would I be able to defer for a year from the MBA to pursue the engineering degree? I know I'm dreaming big pretty early in the game here with these kinds of questions..

I'm looking heavily at applying to a few different programs that offer the dual degrees, an engineering degree (electrical) with an MBA. I'm curious about applying to other programs solely as an engineering student then applying to business school during the masters program as an alternate course of action. Anybody have any experience or insight on accomplishing? The obvious barriers would be not getting into a business school where I'd be finishing my masters and having to move again.