<p>Next fall I'm supposed to go to UW-Madison to double major in finance and philosophy with the plan of attending law school or getting an MBA when I graduate. However, I don't think that Madison has the pedigree to land me the jobs I want, so I am almost positive I'll be applying to more prestigious schools after freshman and sophomore year as a transfer student (many of these schools rejected me as a freshman applicant). So, when applying for admission to top law schools and MBA programs, what is favorable in terms of undergraduate education? If I'm unable to get into schools like Penn and Columbia, should I look into schools like Reed, Pomona, Claremont KcKenna, and other near-top LACs (where I would focus on philosophy) or would I be better off at a state school? Should I try to get into NYU and pursue finance? Basically, I would like to know what you think would be the best way to get into high finance or law without an ivy league education. Is there really any hope for me if I'm not able to get into the elite schools?</p>
<p>UW will get you anywhere you want to go. Go there with the expectation that it’ll turn out to be the perfect choice and it probably will be.</p>
<p>^^^^ </p>
<p>Exactly correct. UW is knocked in rankings because of the “in state” mission, but very few state universities are top-20 in as many programs as UW (maybe Michigan and Cal…). What this means is that academically, UW is <em>very strong</em>.</p>
<p>You will learn to balance your time between the omnipresent social scene and the academic commitment, which will make you strong… rounded.</p>
<p>And research opportunities at one of the top research institutions in the world are obviously plentiful and of the very highest qualityand importance.</p>
<p>State Street, the capital, the Badgers sports squads, and the aforementioned party scene make UW fun. It really is awesome. </p>
<p>The law schools want to see high GPA, high LSATs, good letters of rec, good ECs, and a good interview, and alma mater doesn’t count for much. Getting into law school or any grad or pre-professional school is about what you DO, not even what you learn, let alone where you go. It’s normal to have this anxiety over the summer. If YOU try to make the most of the UW experience you will make the most of yourself. Prestige is for Wall Street.</p>
<p>I doubt I’ve changed your mind, tho, so recognize that if you transfer you may find yourself paying full freight at the next school. Schools give their merit most often to freshmen.</p>
<p>You certainly don’t need anything “better” than Wisconsin to get into graduate school. Maybe some jobs on Wall Street are looking for more, but you should be fine for grad school. UW is a VERY strong school.</p>
<p>UW can get you into <em>ANY</em> law school, business school or any job that hires graduates out of college. Any school is what <em>YOU</em> make of it.</p>
<p>As they say: “It’s a poor craftsman that blames his tools.”</p>
<p>I agree with the other posters out here. UW-Madison is one of the strongest public universities in the country. It will probably take everything you’ve got to excel there, which you need to do at any undergrad program to get into a top MBA or law school program. Great grades and great test scores (GMAT or LSAT) will get you in anyplace you want to go.</p>
<p>Admission to law schools is mainly based on LSAT and GPA. See <a href=“http://lawschoolnumbers.com”>http://lawschoolnumbers.com</a> .</p>
<p>It is the law school’s prestige ranking that is highly important for getting law jobs. Basically, top 14 or don’t bother (although a non-top-14 that has a good regional reputation may be ok in the region).</p>
<p>UW is fine for the goals you have. Agreed per others that it is about LSAT and GPA. I know some UW students who have gone great LS after graduation and I have known students at top schools that got into average LS. It’s all about the student, not the name of the school when it comes to LS admissions. Besides, if they didn’t accept you before, it is unlikely they would again after only one year of college unless something drastically changes</p>