<p>To get into a top notch MBA program, you are almost required to have a good set of work experience. This can be from engineering, finance, whatever. The school you go to can help you get recruited and set up an interview, but after that point, its all about you. I have a few friends that go to UIUC, and they’ve told me that they get recuiting from some of the big consulting firms, banks, and a few Chicago-based hedge funds. The more you work, the less your undergraduate institution matters. Top MBA programs won’t reject you because they see your resume that think that UIUC (on the contrary; its one of the top state schools in the country).</p>
<p>Obviously, Duke will have more recruiting (but also much more competition). An engineering degree opens a lot more doors. Duke is a solid undergraduate school, but IIRC, its engineering isn’t on the level of UCB, Cornell, or UIUC (unless you’re talking about biomedical, where its #2, behind JHU). </p>
<p>You might also want to consider Rice. They have great recruiting from banks and consulting firms, a great engineering school, and a very solid liberal arts program. In addition, they are in Houston, the energy capital of the world.</p>