<p>Hiya, I know I already have something posted here, but another burning question has come to me. I have seen a lot of posts and articles about how people tour campuses for Harvard and talk to professors and stuff when going to business school. I am wondering, is this required/necessary to get in? I'm pretty sure I don't have the money to go visit schools up in the north, I just plan on applying and hoping for the best. I understand scoping out is good, but is it beneficial to acceptance?</p>
<p>Second question, I know this may seem a little shallow, but here it goes. I will want the highest GPA possible when I am applying for the top business schools, I plan on majoring in chemical engineering at the moment and I know it's a tough major. I am worried if I get a low GPA it could hurt my chances in business school. </p>
<p>Do business schools weigh the major with the GPA?
Should I get an easier major for a high GPA?</p>
<p>Well, to be honest, I dont know the answer to any of your questions, but heres something I know.</p>
<p>Working at a major management/strategic consulting firm (i.e. McKinsey, Bain,BCG) will land you a spot at a top business school, full-time (i believe), funded by the firm. This comes of course after 2-4 years with the firm.</p>
<p>DEFINATELY! even in finance, family members in both professions tell me that there are engineers there, because of their hightened analytical skills and numerical skills (you know how easy derivatives are, not so much for the finance guys)</p>
<p>yes, it is very competitive to get a job at McKinsey/Bain/BCG (Boston Consulting Group) as their pay is really good for associates.</p>
<p>Another advantage (from my perspective atleast) is that you travel extensively around the world. You can also ask to be transferred to another international office, they have 1 in almost every country.</p>
<p>With an engineering BA/BS you’ll land an analyst gig, work there for 2-4 years, and then ask for tuition funding for MBA. they have contacts in the top biz schools in the world, so its not a problem getting you in if youre smart and experienced enough. </p>
<p>Heres a problem though: only 8% of their consultants have undergraduate degrees, very experienced. 44% of their consultants have an MBA.</p>
<p>So most people there have an MBA, which is ironic, because I would go there just for that top MBA. Another question, when applying to MBA programs do the colleges consider the courses you took compared to your GPA? For example if I had a 3.0 in ChemE vs a 3.5 in something a little easier would they weigh that when looking at the application. I mean the answer is probably yes, but I want to make sure I can in to one of the top 5 schools.</p>
<p>Im not sure about GPA, but alot of attention is paid to experience. Some people can pull it off (going from undergrad directly into MBA), and others cant. Also, some business schools dont accept you if you dont have 2-3 years of experience, 'cause the University of Alberta has that rule/something similar in terms of experience.</p>
<p>Heres something else that you MIGHT be interested in: The MMM program at Kellogg/McCormick. Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University is a top 5 MBA program, and is combined with a Master’s of Engineering Management (MEM) to create a 2 year dual-degree program! [MMM</a> Program: Kellogg School MBA and Northwestern Engineering dual-degree program that integrates management, operations and design](<a href=“MMM Program - Segal Design Institute, Northwestern University”>http://www.mmm.northwestern.edu/)</p>
<p>What do you think? I think this is a really good opportunity.</p>
<p>Yeah, that seems nice. That and the HBS 2+2(highly unlikely I’ll get in) I am now considering. That seems perfect for me. Good find, thanks. Kellogg seems like a nice school. Do you think that someone with an engineering background but general MBA is confined to only engineering firms? I want to set myself up so down the road if I want to manage say, a company that makes cooking supplies, or a magazine, I have a shot at getting a job. I’m sure I will never grow tired of engineering but I want a buffer, especially for times like the recession.</p>
<p>DEFINATELY. as most engineers can boast, they can do anything. Coupled with an MBA, you have a crack at almost every middle management position anywhere, with respect ofcourse to the amount of experience and where it was gained. As I said, engineers are everywhere.</p>
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Heres a problem though: only 8% of their consultants have undergraduate degrees, very experienced. 44% of their consultants have an MBA.
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<p>That doesn’t seem accurate to me from the people I know who have worked at those firms. What do the other 48% of their employees have? PhD, JD, MD, MA? I feel I know too many people who went into consulting straight out of UG for it to only constitute 8% of employees.</p>
<p>I don’t believe McKinsey has many employees at Associate (aka Consulant) level or above without an advanced degree. They have tons of PHDs, MSs, MA, MDs, JDs, or some combination of advanced degrees.</p>
<p>I don’t care where I work for the few years before my MBA, I just want to work somewhere that will help me get the MBA. The high salary at Mckinsey is nice though.</p>
<p>You should care though as your work experience is the most important part of your application. </p>
<p>A lot of engineering firms will pay for your MBA. I know Lockheed Martin does this. However, they just send students to SMU part time (or bring SMU profs to them). You don’t have the option of going elsewhere and the students end up returning to Lockheed Martin. </p>
<p>By comparison, if you go to a top school full time, your career options expand greatly. If you couldn’t get a job at McKinsey, BCG, Bain from undergrad, there are other well respected consulting firms that will pay for their students MBAs (such as Deloitte).</p>
<p>I know, I’m aware of this. I am trying to predict what my conditions will be in awhile, and I figure that I may grow tired of engineering sooner than I think. I just want to have a maneuverable resume.</p>
<p>I know people who have applied for dual degrees for MBAs at schools like HBS and Wharton while in other Masters and PhD programs (public policy, engineering, etc.). It’s probably very tough to do, but can be a way to get a top MBA, and possibly a way to get a top MBA funded if you are going for a PhD.</p>