<p>What generally is considered when one applies to an ivy for a postgraduate like an MBA ? What opportunities should I tap at Fordham or outside to possibly gain experience or an edge for that? Any clubs or courses recommended as such?</p>
<p>You should definitely go to the Grad School Admissions forum, because your questions are pretty general. But Fordham-wise—get a 4.0 or close, do business internships in the city (you said MBA so I don’t think you need to do research for that), and make sure you get close with professors for good letters of recommendation. You should also network with/go to business/finance clubs for opportunities.</p>
<p>Graduate school admissions can be VERY political. However, Fordham does place well in law, business and other graduate programs. </p>
<p>My kid got into Columbia and NYU among others, (but went elsewhere for the money.) She had friends who got into Harvard and Yale. </p>
<p>In grad school its very specfic, as well, about professors and programs…some otherwise lower ranked schools may have superior graduate programs. Just take a gander at USNWR in areas like social sciences, education, science and math, etc. So it depends. And in MBA programs you might look at schools with a particular emphasis: international, finance, marketing, accounting etc. There are some surprises there as well. </p>
<p>And it depends on where you want to end up. If its WallStreet being an Investment Banker then that will help you decide because those firms tend to hire from name schools. </p>
<p>Your undergraduate mentor may help decide with you.</p>
<p>I spoke to friends who are in Gabelli and are familiar with the business route – pretty much to a person they said that getting into a top MBA school requires: 1) a very strong undergraduate record 2) top GMAT scores and 3) strong recommendations and 4) a minimum of 2 (often more) years of meaningful work experience. If you get into Fordham and do well here you will have checked off one of the requirements. However, because of the work experience component it is unlikely you could get into a top MBA program directly out of Fordham (or any other undergraduate program for that matter). And since you need that work experience, I don’t think that any one particular club or class you do as an undergraduate will make a meaningful difference to a top level MBA application.</p>
<p>In terms of other types of grad programs that don’t look for a work component, I know people who have graduated from Fordham and went on to Harvard, Yale , Columbia, and Notre Dame to name but a few schools. Suffice it to say that if you do well at Fordham you should have many options.</p>
<p>This is my sophomore semester in Fordham and will be a junior next sem. Do you know people who have gone straight to ivy after Fordham as you mentioned or did they all work for a few years?</p>
<p>I know a few Honors students at LC who have gone to Ivys straight after Fordham, but for liberal arts/humanities. I also know Honors students at LC who went straight to Starbucks, so it all depends on what you with the time you are given here.</p>
<p>Its a very personal decision. Depends on your long term goals. For a PhD program, its often advisable to go straight to grad school since it can take 5-7 years. (Its also VERY political and depends on your planned thesis!) For MBA …there is less demand for that degree…and many schools are focusing on executive MBA programs…and which are paid by employers…and that is an outstanding way to get that diploma…and keep your job. For law, they often want a few years of work experience to give you maturity and gravitas. Many do go direct to law, but with a few years of work experience and a powerful LSAT score they can often get a better chance of being admitted at dream schools. Or getting scholarship money. No one right answer there…I have seen people go direct and seen people work then go in. Ditto for medical school, btw. And for some people they NEED to work to save money for grad school. </p>
<p>Prestige is powerful. But also look at the programs…you might be surprised at some lower ranking schools that have VERY highly ranked programs. And may indeed have better scholarships. </p>
<p>GMAT, LSAT, MCAT’s are just HUGE in determining admissions and scholarship funding. </p>
<p>My kid got into several programs…as mentioned…all of them top 25 programs in her field of interest. Outstanding Fordham placement record. However, not all of them offered money. She took a top 10 school and the money and never looked back. Is working now and very very happy. And btw, when applying for jobs, her Fordham diploma was a point of conversation and helped her stick out in a crowd (she is not presently in NYC). Instead of the usual floodgates of state flagship diploma clad applicants or regional (but nationally ranked) private schools…the usual suspects, she was an anomaly…and got her the interview. They wanted to see what a Fordham graduate looked like, talked like and performed. So there is that angle as well. Fordham is HUGELY respected in NYC btw.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>This post is about an MBA, not an MA. So, as someone who has an MBA, I disagree that "there is less demand for that degree. " Also, these days it is very rare to have an employer pay for your MBA. It hasn’t been that way for the past 15 years or so. Just like pension plans, that went away and will never be back.</p>
<p>I agree with @spirit77 that the best you can do now, as a sophomore, is get stellar grades, do internships, and get to know your professors well for those recommendations. There are a few business clubs on campus that will help with networking and will expose you to different aspects of business, so take advantage of them. Belonging to them will not help you get in anywhere, but it will help you be better informed and prepared.</p>
<p>@spirit77 is correct in that the better B schools require at LEAST 2 years meaningful work experience. Classes are taught in a discussion style and expect each of its students to bring some business experience to the table. Remember that to do an MBA full-time, you are not only paying for it, you are giving up your 60k income as well. You could do an MBA at a prestigious school part-time, at night. Stern (NYU) is one option. I am sure there are other top ranked schools that offer this, so check it out. </p>
<p>@sovereigndebt is accurate about the importance of GMAT scores. That score is a big determining factor as to whether you get into a top B school or not. So, if your SATs were mediocre, plan on studying A LOT. Good luck. </p>
<p>Thank you all ! As for the GPA, I have heard that professors in Fordham are much more strict with grades than other schools and that is what is happening atleast in my liberal arts core courses ! I am a transfer from india where my GPA was a 4.0 but here liberal arts are hard for getting grades. Does this affect the postgrad admissions?</p>
<p>I understood the question…but the OP said “like an MBA”, so that left the door open. Further, statistics nationally show that full time day MBA programs have a sharply declining applicant pool because employers arent as quick to hire kids…at least at the “I"m an MBA and should be in management for my first job” mentality type of kids. Most employers are hiring kids out of undergrad programs and then when they go to MBA school they keep their jobs and do an executive MBA paid for by the employer. That is the national trend and that is what I meant. So to clarify, I meant less demand for MBA’s full time day program. Now there will always be high demand for Wharton and Harvard and Tuck, e.g. Also, in full time day programs the admissions officers are encouraging a couple years of work experience as well, to give them gravitas when interviewing. </p>
<p>That was my real point…good to get some working years under your belt. Then go for an MBA. There are too many people with PhDs chasing too few jobs in academia. There are too many MBA’s, some of which are from very low tier schools…and that causes the problem. I am not saying don’t get one. I am saying be shrewd. Get one from as high a ranking school as you can and with some work experience, and to think hard about an Executive MBA or night program, with your employer paying for it. </p>
<p>That was all. Sorry for confusion.</p>
<p>I offer the same relative advice to law students as well. In a very very tough job market its important to have work experience and maturity. And get into the highest ranking school you can, and then when there dont pile up on debt. And get the highest grades you can. </p>
<p>JD’s, MA’s, PhDs, MBAs are a dime a dozen. MD’s are in short supply overall…but the problem there is not many doctors want to work in impoverished neighborhoods or remote rural areas, making the top jobs very competitive. </p>
<p>As for grades…to some extent being from India, schools may take into consideration you are an international and not worry too much about how you score in philosophy and theology. They see your transcript, not just your gpa. Do the best you can…extra effort. Dont take any course lightly. Dont dismiss any professor. Bust your behind to get the highest grade you can. If you are intent on getting an MBA, then obviously your GMAT score is critical and your grades in math, accounting, physics etc. </p>
<p>I would seek out a professor as a mentor. And get him/her to help you map out a plan of action and what schools/programs you are aiming for…and of course the recommendation as well. </p>
<p>Fordham professors are very good mentors. My kid had three that were AWESOME…on personal and academic and professional levels. Two of whom still talk with her…regularly. </p>
<p>No harm in being assertive and ambitious…just make sure you are well grounded in reality. Not seeking admission to a top program with mediocre grades and GMAT scores. </p>
<p>Alright ! I get it. And is it a good idea to look for companies offering jobs in say California if I plan to live there after my graduation?Also, how useful are summer schools in ivy leagues? Do they give you an edge anyhow in terms of postgrad admissions?</p>
<p>No, summer schools in Ivy League school do NOT help you gain an edge in admission, be it undergrad or postgrad. My daughter did a summer at Harvard and almost no one from that program got in. (she did not apply, as they do not have business undergrad). Yes, if you plan on living in CA, then certainly look for jobs located there. In fact, if you plan on living in CA, you should look for grad programs there. Employers recruiting at schools in NE (even Ivies) tend to be in Boston, NYC, etc., so you will need to do some more work on your own to find opportunities. But if it is what you want, DO IT. </p>