<p>Two of my schools that I'm applying to are Mcgill (faculty of management) and BU (management). While these aren't horrible schools, they aren't exactly wharton, and I might end up at these schools bc. of money. I'm sure I probably won't get as good of a job right out of college, but would this affect grad-school placement at all if I had a solid GMAT score/ good Ec's in college?</p>
<p>Although GMAT and GPA is important, they are only a piece of the puzzle. MBA programs want to see your leadership skills in a working environment. They want to see that you've been challenged, promoted, given positions of leadership...etc. It's easier to do this if you start out with a better job, but if you can show MBA programs your work experience, you'll have a great shot at top-notch programs.</p>
<p>It won't matter. What matters is what you accomplish after graduation.</p>
<p>
[quote]
It won't matter. What matters is what you accomplish after graduation.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Not really. To get a good perspective, read this</p>
<p><a href="http://mbaapply.blogspot.com%5B/url%5D">http://mbaapply.blogspot.com</a></p>
<p>Wait, if what matters is what you accomplish after graduation, doesn't getting a good job factor in significantly? And to get a good job, isn't it almost imperative that I attend a good undergrad school?</p>
<p>It certainly doesn't hurt, but it's not like you won't get any opportunities with a lower-ranked school (you'll just have fewer ones than at a top-ranked institution)</p>
<p>cbreeze, that was a fantastic read, thanks for posting a link to that blog. Does the author post here?</p>
<p>So, from reading that blog, it looks like a "blue-chip" education is almost necessary for a decent shot at HSW, so maybe transferring is the better option?</p>
<p>Yes, he is good, isn't he? His name is Alex Chu and he is an MBA admissions consultant who regularly posts here <a href="http://forums.businessweek.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?folderId=1&listmode=13&nav=messages&webtag=bw-bschools%5B/url%5D">http://forums.businessweek.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?folderId=1&listmode=13&nav=messages&webtag=bw-bschools</a>
under Ask Alex.</p>
<p>I might add , Alex Chu is a Wharton MBA grad.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Not really. To get a good perspective, read this</p>
<p><a href="http://mbaapply.blogspot.com%5B/url%5D%5B/quote%5D">http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
[/quote]
</a></p>
<p>Alex actually implies that it does matter where you go to undergrad. Those from non "elite" schools would fall under the average joe category which is mostly underrepresented (to varying degrees) at the top b-schools. As a previous poster mentioned, where you go to school can influence the type of job you can get which has an impact on b-school admissions.
That being said, I was a summer associate at a company with other MBA interns that included HBS/Stanford students... two of whom went to University of Utah for their undergrads. You obviously don't need to have a Wharton-like UG to get into the top schools... but it is more difficult without one.</p>
<p>calicartel, cbreeze agrees that it DOES matter.</p>
<p>My critical reading skills have obviously diminished since I took my GMAT awhile back. My apologies.</p>
<p>
[quote]
And to get a good job, isn't it almost imperative that I attend a good undergrad school?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>LoL @ that. Nothing could be further from the truth. </p>
<p>BTW, I will agree that the likes of Harvard and Wharton <em>mainly</em> accept those with academic pedigree. That being said, there are plenty of top 20 business schools where this is not really the case.</p>
<p>On a side note, I attended undergrad at a "mediocre" unranked state school and it did not hurt me in the least (at least, it didn't prevent any top business schools from accepting me).</p>