Does it really matter where an undergrad degree comes from?

<p>I'm a transfer student majoring in sociology, but ideally I'd like to get an MBA to give me more career options in the future. I've been accepted to UCSB and Berkeley and I'm really torn between the two. It would be a little more convenient and make a lot more sense financially if I went to UCSB, but I'm wondering if I'd have a better chance getting into an MBA program if I had a degree from Cal. Any thoughts on this?</p>

<p>What you really need a good work experience. In that regard, going to a better school may give you more of an opportunity to have great work experience.
In the end, the end results are the only ones that matter. You have to balance the potential difference in debt load versus the difference in probability of landing a better job right out of undergrad so that you can get into an MBA program that you desire.
You will get all different opinions regarding about that from everyone. You must make the choice for yourself.</p>

<p>A UCB degree will probably get you a better job than one from SB (especially as a sociology major) would and land you in a better position when applying to MBA programs. There are a disproportionate number of top college grads in top MBA programs. Can you take some Haas classes?</p>

<p>Here is a related question: Does it matter what undergrad major you had? Son will be getting a joint MS/MBA in the fall coming from an engineering undergrad. He had a lot of math, but no actual business-related courses. His writing skills are good. Will MBA classes be very difficult for him?</p>

<p>Many MBA programs require incoming students to take pre-semester courses that include basics in finance, accounting, statistics, etc. Does your son’s program not require that he take these kinds of classes with the other incoming MBA candidates in July/August?</p>

<p>The MBA classes are meant to be very difficult for everyone.</p>

<p>sallyawp, there is some short session that begins in mid-August that is required before the semester begins. It did strike me as odd that students will be from varied backgrounds ranging from business to the arts and humanities to engineering and the hard sciences. How can student with such different preparation all succeed in the same graduate program?</p>

<p>VectorWega, I am hoping that if son had the intelligence and drive to get 4.0 in engineering, he will also be able to figure out business classes. I am a little worried for him though, as he will probably be out of his comfort zone.</p>

<p>He mentioned that he might self-study business subjects, such as economics, over the summer. Would that be a good idea? If so, what subject areas would be most beneficial?</p>

<p>Alker: Sorry to participate in a hijacking. Why sociology? It sounds like an awfully soft major for somebody who wants to attend grad school in a different discipline. I wonder if your choice of a major won’t have a lot more impact than the choice between SB and Cal.</p>

<p>ilkf725: Your son should take basic financial accounting and fundamentals of finance. I’ll assume that he’s taken basic micro econ either in high school or college. If he hasn’t, he needs this too.</p>

<p>Introductory classes in these areas are very important and they throw some students for a loop, not because they are complex but because some students never grasp the essential concepts of double entry accounting, time value of money, and supply vs. demand. If your son gets a handle on these he’ll be better prepared than many others who lack his math background.</p>

<p>He’ll be fine at any program if he got a 4.0 with an engineering major in college. Lot’s of kids from non business backgrounds at the good programs. Many internationals just trying to get comfortable with the language. He’ll come up to speed quickly.</p>

<p>Thank you everybody! I would be grateful for any other input also.</p>