<p>My decision is nearly final, I'm almost definitely going to UF for my undergrad, but am considering applying to either cooper union and/or Olin as well. Financially I'm best off at UF, it's closest to home, and has the luxery of numerous majors and courses offered. I would have a good shot at getting into either of those schools, or if I was willing to go into serious debt to go to an NYU type, but do not want to graduate with debt.</p>
<p>Now my question is, I'm most likely looking at grad school, probably an MBA down the road, how much will going to a "lesser" school of UF affect my admissiosn to a top 10 MBA program? I'm planning on majoring in engineering, or possibly just doing straight finance, but assuming I get good grades with strong GMAT scores would I still be in the ballpark for a top MBA program? What about one of the financial engineering masters that I've been reading about from a top school?</p>
<p>Basicly does comming from UF hurt my chances at getting into a top grad school?</p>
<p>well unless I learn something new then, or unless Emory offers me a full ride (unlikely) I'll be going to UF in the fall, I got my acceptance today.</p>
<p>Going to a lesser known undergrad (and UF isn't exactly a nobody) is a mixed bag. If you are top at your undergrad anywhere, you'll do well in grad admissions. However, if you are a middling student at a nowhere school, graduate admissions becomes slightly more difficult. </p>
<p>Look at it this way. A middling student at Princeton or Duke is still at Princeton or Duke, and by that virtue, has a bit of a proven track record. A middling student at Podunk U. is both a middling student, and is a student at a school without a strong national reputation.</p>
<p>Does this mean that the student at Podunk is screwed? Of course not. She just needs to excel in everything she does and show that she is just as capable as her top-school counterpart. A high GPA and a high GMAT (especially important) will be more than enough to get you in. But, if you only do okay GPA wise, and aren't a stellar GMAT performer, remember who you're going up against for those spots.</p>
<p>"Basicly does comming from UF hurt my chances at getting into a top grad school?"</p>
<p>Virtually none of the top 10 MBA programs will accept students directly out of undergrad studies anymore. They will require that you have work experience that you can show. In that sense, a degree from a top undergrad school won't help you at all.</p>
<p>Admissions among grads from top schools are, however, more likely for two reasons. The first is the wealth of the students going in. Independent of where they actually went to school, they will have more contacts, an easier time landing jobs that are good steps toward top MBA programs, access to more important recommendations. Secondly, it is likely that job recruitment at the top undergrad schools is stronger (somewhat mitigated, however, if you are at the top of the heap of a school like UofF - there are more middling grads at the top undergrad programs competing among themselves.)</p>
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A high GPA and a high GMAT (especially important) will be more than enough to get you in.
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<p>I disagree. When you're talking about elite MBA programs, grades and GMAT (especially the GMAT) matter very little. What really matters are your work experience and leadership qualities. </p>
<p>I've known plenty of people with stellar grades and GMAT scores who nonetheless couldn't get into any of the top MBA programs, because they lacked strong work experience. Conversely, I've known plenty of people with quite mediocre grades and GMAT scores who gotten into many top MBA programs, because their experience and leadership qualities were excellent.</p>
<p>ok then, how much does work experience correlate to the school? Obviously the better recruiters will come to the top schools, will going to UF hurt me in that reguard? I'm tlaking about GETTING the jobs necessary, obviously it's up to me to excell in the jobs I get.</p>
<p>its true that some of the most sought-after companies such as investment banking and consulting tend to focus on the elite schools, but these are a small number of companies & jobs. And recruiter doesn't have to come to your school for you to get a job with them. You can submit a resume or, a more rewarding path, use networking connections to find out about openings. Most colleges have lists of alums who are happy to talk to students about their careers and may (check with the career center to see if this is appropriate since it may not be what they agreed to when they volunteered) be willing to keep an eye out for job openings or do some searching for you.</p>
<p>To answer your question, I think a middling student at an elite college has a better chance than a middling student at UF. But how can you quantify this? The effect exists, how much it affects you depends.</p>
<p>But more important than the name on the diploma is what you do in college. The best way to think about the job search is that its a 4-year class and you find out your grade at the end. Work diligently on it thru college and its not that hard; wait until spring of senior year and you'll have a lot to do and the chances of a good outcome shrink.</p>
<p>This means from day 1 you need to be a regular visitor to the career center. Talk to the staff, take career tests, talk with alums, go to career fairs, read the materials to find out what you might enjoy doing. And the most important thing is internships. These really stand out on a resume and flag potential employers that you're serious and qualified; they can talk to your former manager for insight on this, and if you do a good job the companies where you interned are likely to offer you jobs rather than taking chances on someone they only know thru the on-campus interview program.</p>
<p>And let me add some extra advice. Use the time in college to identify career fields that you will LOVE. Too many kids focus on money and prestige when picking careers, reasoning they can accomodate themselves to anything. I'm not saying money isn't important, but be sure to find an area you'll also enjoy (one reason internships are so helpful, you can check things out before you make a big plunge). Talk to adults and you'll find out how much of you life work absorbs. And the people that get ahead are those that genuinely seemed interested in their job, the ones who don't mind spending some extra time to get things done because the work is what they like to do.</p>
<p>I know people at Ross who came from all kinds of backgrounds (including little-known liberal arts colleges and less-competitive large publics). They had good work experience and sound test scores--and their college grades showed they had some smarts.</p>
<p>"Obviously the better recruiters will come to the top schools, will going to UF hurt me in that reguard? I'm tlaking about GETTING the jobs necessary, obviously it's up to me to excell in the jobs I get."</p>
<p>The "better recruiters" WILL come more often to the top schools, BUT the competition to see them and be recruited by them will be much fiercer, especially without family connections.</p>