<p>I'm thinking about going to the twin cities for undergrad in either econ or finance, with the goal of eventually getting into a top MBA program (either Harvard or Wharton). I've heard its a fairly prestigious school, more so in the economics realm, so my questions are:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Would I have a pretty good shot at getting into a top MBA program from the twin cities/ what is the perception of the school in the job market?</p></li>
<li><p>Assuming I am equally interested in both majors, which one would be better to major in with this end goal in mind?</p></li>
<li><p>Are there any other schools that have better programs that I could get into with a 1950 SAT? (I promise I'm not that dumb, I'm just a horrible test taker)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>There is a considerable difference between attending the U of M in the College of Liberal Arts where the economics major is held, and the Carlson School of Management, where the finance major is held. Most employers view U of M econ majors as being average, while the Carlson finance students are held in high regard. The reputation for the economics program comes from the graduate (PhD) program, not really the undergrad program (although it’s still pretty solid). Answering which one is better is impossible without more information, but in general, I would say a degree from Carlson is viewed as more prestigious. As for the MBA program, either one could get you there, but the application will depend far, far more on the type of job you get, your accomplishments in that job, and your GMAT score. In fact, most MBA programs couldn’t care less about what your major was. I will also add that it is ridiculous to think about an MBA before you’ve even started college. The point of an MBA is either to change careers or advance in the one you’re in. Since you do not have a career yet, this should not even cross your mind. As for getting into better programs, it really depends on where you want to live. The U of M is a fantastic place to go if you want to live and work in the Twin Cities. If you plan on living and working outside of the upper midwest, I would suggest going elsewhere.</p>