<p>Is one better off doing a technical/engineering/or even humanities degree, and then an MBA, rather than an undergrad from Stern. I believe that most Stern undergrads go directly into the workplace, and their website really does not offer any statistical information on how many students go on to Grad school. Is it a very 'narrow' education then, not really allowing for further specialization? Or are they making so much money that they cannot be lured back for a Master's?</p>
<p>I think it's difficult to see how many undergrad Sternies go to grad school simply because the average applicant to Stern MBA has almost five years of work experience. It's very rare these days for students to enter an MBA program right after graduation. Average age is 27 for applicants. The largest group for undergrad majors is business, followed closely by economics and math, science, and engineering.</p>
<p>matth do u mean business undergrads is the largest group that enter MBA? If that's the case then I'm relieved because I have been hearing things like MBA don't like business undergrads cauz they have nothing to offer</p>
<p>Yes, chezo, approximately 28% are graduates of undergrad business programs.</p>
<p>Like matth said, it doesn't really matter what your undergraduate major is. The top MBA programs care more about work experience.</p>
<p>Stern likens their programs (undergrad) to an MBA, and say that once you get your undergrad from Stern, you don't ever need to get an MBA. </p>
<p>Chezo, I have tread that too, that students who are planning on doing an MBA are better off NOT doing an undergrad business degree, to add more breadth to the education.</p>
<p>For those who believe that a Stern undergrad degree offers you a broad intellectual experience, can you explain why you think that? My concern is that it is very 'narrow' and focused too early in the game.</p>
<p>because Stern is 2 years liberal arts + 2 years business, so you are more well rounded than someone who just gets 4 years of liberal arts or 4 years of business.</p>
<p>"Stern likens their programs (undergrad) to an MBA, and say that once you get your undergrad from Stern, you don't ever need to get an MBA." </p>
<p>Whoa..when has Stern ever said this?..I doubt it has, NYU does not make such statements. Look, you cannot start making assertions like this. Whether one needs or wants to get an MBA is dependent on several factors, one's undergrad degree probably being among the least important of them.</p>
<p>For example, in investment banking, most top level people have an MBA or some other grad degree (often a law degree, or something in a quantitative field). Now of course there are some people who become talented analysts after undergrad and won't need to get an MBA to move up in M&A or corp. fin., but thats an exception not the rule (in fact, most analysts at bulge bracket firms only stay 2 years--I did). Top performing traders usually don't need MBAs, as trading is a field where there is much less structure and advancment is based on performance; but thats due to performance on the job, not attending undergrad at at certain institution. There are many in hedge funds, VC and PE firms that don't have grad degrees, but without a steller record or connections, these are harder to break into straight out of college, tend to have proven performers from other fields, and are normally small operations in terms of number of people hired (e.g the hedge fund I work at only has 10 people). </p>
<p>Its easy to start making statements like having a BA/BS from (insert prestigious undergrad school here) will preclude the need for an MBA, but as someone whose had a fair amount of experience on wall st., I can tell you thats not how it works. Whether you'll need to go to grad. school will depend on what you're doing after college and how good you are at doing it.</p>
<p>""Stern likens their programs (undergrad) to an MBA, and say that once you get your undergrad from Stern, you don't ever need to get an MBA." </p>
<p>Whoa..when has Stern ever said this?..I doubt it has, NYU does not make such statements. Look, you cannot start making assertions like this. Whether one needs or wants to get an MBA is dependent on several factors, one's undergrad degree probably being among the least important of them."</p>
<p>I've heard the same thing (that you don't need an MBA). It was actually the dean of Stern who said that at the open house.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Stern likens their programs (undergrad) to an MBA, and say that once you get your undergrad from Stern, you don't ever need to get an MBA.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That was actually said by the Admissions folk at Stern Scholars "Sunday at the Square". I specifically asked them how their program differed from an MBA, and was told that Stern undergrads don't need an MBA, they are ahead of the pack, and most people who do an MBA probably had a technical or other undergrad. degree because they were not ready for a business degree.</p>
<p>Thank you Unrealfire, for the validation.</p>
<p>Unrealfire--Are you sure you aren't taking that out of a certain context? On its face, that seems like an absurd statement to make. Perhaps what the dean meant is that Stern's undergrad program teaches you MBA level concepts and that after 4 years you'll know as much as the average MBA as far as book smarts are concerned; if what was said was along these lines, that I can TOTALLY believe. </p>
<p>However, to tell a bunch of 18 year olds that having an bachelor's from Stern will preclude the need for ever getting MBAs from a career advancement perspective is downright irresponsible and baselessly false if thats what the dean actually said.</p>
<p>I have to say that i have heard the same thing. I personally talked to the dean of Stern and she said you dont need an MBA to advance. She said an undergraduate Stern degree will work just fine. </p>
<p>But i think she's oversimplifying things. I guess some jobs will require MBAs to move up.</p>
<p>No jwblue hes right...she told me she knows "plenty" of successful people who never got an MBA.</p>
<p>"But i think she's oversimplifying things. I guess some jobs will require MBAs to move up."</p>
<p>That is exactly my point. Some jobs "unoffically" do require grad. degrees to move up. If you look at wall st. firms, these days, most top level guys have grad. degrees. A grad. degree gives one credibility or at least a pedigree that gives the appearance of credibility. Furthermore, top MBA programs are as much for connections as learning--they give one access to a powerful network that can be very helpful in the business world. </p>
<p>"she told me she knows "plenty" of successful people who never got an MBA.'</p>
<p>Of course she does. So what? There are also plenty of successful people who never went to college. So of course the dean is correct to say you don't NEED an MBA, but by same logic if you take it a step further, you don't NEED a college degree for some of these same jobs either--in fact you will find some traders on wall st. and on the NYMEX who never graduated high school and are making 7 figures because they have the knack for it. So yes, you don't need a Harvard MBA to become an associate in Goldman's M&A department, but will it help immensely to that end? Yes. Thus, you must look at the practical considerations as well the technical ones.</p>
<p>In that case it was a misrepresentation to students and parents alike. She definitely implied that Stern undergrads did not need to do an MBA, and it was practically a waste of time. Perhaps there was some 'overselling' of the program, which is unnecessary, as no one doubts how well-respected it is.</p>
<p>"She definitely implied that Stern undergrads did not need to do an MBA, and it was practically a waste of time."</p>
<p>Need an MBA for what?...thats the issue here. Is the purpose of getting the MBA to learn things you didn't at undegrad in Stern?...if so, the MBA probably won't all that do much, but is it to make oneself a stronger candidate for plum positions in the corporate world?..in which case the MBA will clearly be a good thing. I don't think ANYONE can argue that getting an MBA from Harvard or Stanford is a "waste of time" and won't do anything for one's career (unless you are already making half a million dollars per year). </p>
<p>I would be like to know what exactly the dean said (exact words I mean). And yes, the program is marketed, just like any program at any college...so please do keep that in mind.</p>