<p>After reading several threads on this forum, many people seem to be very knowledgeable about Business schools/programs/jobs. I'm going to Berkeley as a freshman and am currently interested in going to Haas. However, I'm worried about their 50% acceptance rate. I really don't like the idea of not being able to pick a major that I worked 2 years for. I turned down my admission to the USC business school for Berkeley, something that I've still unsure about being a good idea.</p>
<p>If I get into Haas, that's great, but I need to consider my alternatives and hopefully have a backup plan. The only major other than Business I'm possibly interested in is Electrical Engineering, but totally different prereq classes make that impossible. I hear Economics is the most popular backup major, but will I learn anything from there that will get me a job in accounting/business? If it helps, I could go on to take a Master in BA or Accounting. If I don't get into Haas, is it also possible to transfer into another business major at USC, UCLA, or Stanford? Somehow, I get the feeling that won't be very simple. Any advice you guys can provide would be helpful, thanks.</p>
<p>you have two options if you don't get into haas.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>major in econ. you will definitely learn what you need in econ courses to prepare you for full-time work. but don't worry too much about that. you receive training anyway.</p></li>
<li><p>during your sophomore year, apply to haas as you would normally do. BUT.. apply to other schools at the same time if you are that focused on majoring in business. i wouldn't even bother going to usc or ucla, so apply to the other top business programs like, nyu-stern, uva-mcintyre, and georgetown-mcdonough. wharton is impossible for junior transfers and umich-ross does not accept junior transfers.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>fulfilling engineering requirements would be too difficult if you intend on applying to haas, and you shouldn't really be too worried about getting an MA or a master's in accounting.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. Does NOT coming from a community college and instead Berkeley hurt my chances of being accepted for junior transfers? Also, will the classes I've taken at Cal generally work with a biz program at other school?</p>
<p>Also, why would you not bother with usc/ucla? I picked those because they were in California, but going out of state could be a possibility.</p>
<p>I think he means that if you're at Berkeley, there's no reason to step down a notch and go to USC/UCLA. If you're going to transfer at all, you should transfer up, not down (unless the issue is fit, not academics). USC has a decent business program, but it's not more respected than Berkeley (even non-Haas). Same with UCLA. I'm not saying those schools are significantly worse. They're just not any better. Stanford has no business program but is the best school in California, making it the only transfer that makes sense. But think about this: If you didn't get into Haas, there is little chance you will get into Stanford.</p>
<p>Ok I see, but how difficult would it be able to get into those other top business programs he mentioned? Wouldn't those be just as difficult as Haas?</p>
<p>not necessarily. most students that apply as transfers do not come from top-notch schools like berkeley. if you have a decent gpa, and strong essays explaining why you would attend their business programs, i don't see why you wouldn't have strong chances.</p>
<p>So if you go to Berkeley, would it be possible to transfer to Emory's b-school if<br>
you don't get into Haas.</p>
<p>Of course it's possible, but I would stay at Berkeley and do econ in that case. Remember that you don't have to study business to do business. I would only choose Ross, Wharton, McDonough, and McIntire business over Berkeley econ. That's just me. I wouldn't choose any other undergrad business programs.</p>
<p>also remember that cal's econ major is impacted/capped too</p>
<p>Econ really isnt that bad, it gets you thinking more than a typical business class would, especially with the overall UC system teaching theory and then testing you application skills without ever teaching you how to solve a problem.</p>
<p>i had the same issue, only with u mich/ross. this is actually a legit dilemma if you REALLY want to pursue a biz degree and enter a biz related career (a biz degree from the right school is a POWERFUL asset in the "business world"). </p>
<p>simply put, this is the difference between an econ degree and a business degree: where as econ takes the traditional approach by tackling theory, a business degree (form a good b school) empha sizes the "soft skills" in addition to the typical biz classes. econ classes will put your critical thinking skills and logic to the test, but in biz class you will be required to work in groups and analyze strategy in case studies (what HBS calls the "case study" method), putting emphasize on the "soft skills" (communication skills, leadership skills, networking, interviewing skills, common sense, etc etc). TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THIS: these skills are rare and prized in the "biz world". </p>
<p>now thats out of the way, let me say this: at the undergrad level, your chances of getting the a job in the "biz world" are just as probable if you were an econ major or biz major at the right school. cal is just such a school. granted, haas is a "brand name" and has ALOT of prestige everywhere, a cal econ degree isnt so bad either. </p>
<p>BUT....there is a certain advantage that a haas degree has over a run-of-the-mill econ degree: you'll never really have to go back and do your MBA in order to break into middle/upper managment (unless the idea of wasting two more yrs learning information you laready know while paying through the nose for it sounds appealing to you). with an econ or EE degree, you will have to go back to school. thats why b school stats show that engineering majors get accepted more often than biz majors to mba schools, its because engineering majors NEED the MBA to break through the middle management glass cieling, atleats more than biz majors do. thats also why more engineering majors apply to graduate b schools than biz majors.</p>
<p>sooooo, you have a really twisted path ahead of you. you really should have picked the school you would have felt more comfortable at, instead of deciding that you want a career in the "biz world" and making your college choice fit your career goals. but since you are stuck at cal, try to enjoy it while you can, and dont even think about transferring until the time is right. you havent even started school, yet you already thinking about transferring. who knows, you mighht like it there and decide to become a botany major or something. and dont regret it, going to cal is a privilage that not many have.</p>
<p>and one more thing, location should be a factor in your decision should you choose to transfer. if you want to wokr in the east coast, than transfer to an east coast school.</p>
<p>eng majors need an MBA because they are looking to break into another career. The majority of people that enter are changing careers. The soft skills that you mention can easily be learned and emphasized in a part time job. There are school organizations that can help you explore this as well. And still another option, focused classes on business networking and writing. These are available at community colleges, universities, etc. </p>
<p>The reason a business degree at a top school is preferred over an econ degree at the same school is because you have just added another threshold that a student most overcome, and that makes it more convenient for recruiters. </p>
<p>There is no 'real' reason an econ major would need an MBA over a biz major. The majority of people in middle management jobs do not have MBA's. And statistics at many MBA class profiles show a greater percentage of undergrad biz majors, not econ.</p>
<p>Don’t forget about MiT. Many people think that it’s just a science/tech school, but the Sloan School Of Management is ranked only second to Wharton and above Stern, Haas, Ross, etc.</p>
<p>If you’re at Cal, getting into Haas is really not that bad. Honestly, it really isn’t. Keep your grades up and don’t be an idiot. Don’t binge drink your freshmen semester away at a frat house and get straight C’s (or lower). The humanities/social science classes are pretty easy if you study and check your work with class mates. Even getting into Econ (another impacted program) is a joke. You need a 3.0 average in Math 1A/B or 16A/B, a stat course, Econ 1, and an intermediate econ course. Really, you’ll be fine. Just do the homework and study when you need to. If you got into Cal, are reading forums about college, and then posting fears of inadequacy on said forums, you’re probably not that dumb just not confident.</p>
<p>Also, can anyone tell me what MrTrojanMan is talking about?</p>
<p>Those are skills you need to excel in any field. There is no “Networking 101” offered at Haas.</p>