<p>I was wondering if anyone here could give me some input as to how I should conduct my remaining few years of undergrad, and post-undergrad, in order to maximize my chances at a top business school in the USA; such as Harvard, Wharton, Sloan, etc.</p>
<p>I attend a top engineering school in Canada (the University of Alberta). I just finished up my first year of Mechanical Engineering with a 3.9 GPA (4.0 pt. scale).</p>
<p>I don't have any stellar extracurriculars, should I? By that, I mean that I am not the president of any clubs, I don't compete in any competitions, etc.</p>
<p>Is it possible to get internships that would help me get into a top business school while in an engineering program? I am currently in a co-op program, and I will have 15 months of engineering internship by the time that I graduate with my Mechanical Engineering degree (in 4 more years). Is that beneficial to B-School admissions? If not, what can I do for internships that would be beneficial?</p>
<p>As for post-undergrad work experience. Does working as a Mechanical Engineer benefit as much as working as an analyst? Should I try to get a job as an analyst upon graduation, instead of pursuing an Engineering field for a few years? Is it possible to get a job as an analyst with an Engineering degree? (assuming I keep my GPA high)</p>
<p>With an engineering degree, a good GPA, a high GMAT score, and a few years of work experience as an Engineer, would I be a good candidate for a top Business School? Or will work experience in a mere engineering field (and not in a business related field) hinder my chances at the top MBA programs?</p>
<p>Also, I have a few electives that I can take for my engineering degree (5 to be exact). Would it be wise to choose these electives in areas of business?</p>
<p>2 of them have to be in economics, humanities, or social sciences. So I'm picking economics for those 2. For the other three, I'm planning on taking intro accounting, intro finance, and something else.</p>
<p>If you want to be an analyst, why not try the Management of Information Systems program at Minnesota's Carlson School? If you're a manitoba resident (which you probably aren't), you'll get in-state tuition, and it's the top program of its kind in the country.</p>
<p>I'm in engineering for my undergrad to make mysefl a more well rounded employee. I want to get into a top MBA program because the degree is obviously in a higher demand from employers; same reason anyone wants to go to a top school.</p>
<p>I don't necessarily want to be an analyst. But that type of work experience is generally better for admission purposes (or so I've heard). I don't know what i'll be focusing on in my MBA, as I'm not sure of what goes on in MBA classes.</p>
<p>i don't know if i would leap to the conclusion that an MBA is "obviously" in higher demand from employers. advanced engineering experience, on the other hand, that is something that i would be comfortable plastering on my resume. just make sure that the money you are going to sink into an MBA program will actually pay off, and that you have a clear idea of why you are making that committment.</p>
<p>if you work in an area that is not in your interest, fiddle around for a while as an analyst, trying to get into a "top" MBA program, and then move from there into a totally unrelated field, probably with a new company, why do you expect that to make you more marketable. You'll be in your mid twenties trying to get a foot in the door again, hoping that your hiring manager, against incredible odds, went to your undergrad.</p>
<p>you'd be much better off finding enjoyable work after undergrad, and moving on to an MBA when you have a clear picture of what it will do for you.</p>
<p>I wasn't claiming that an MBA is in higher demand than an Engineering degree. I was merely stating that an MBA from the likes of Harvard or Wharton is in a higher demand than an MBA from some noname school. I apologize for the bad wording of that.</p>
<p>What you said makes sense; that I should find a job that I like and see how an MBA could benefit me. I actually like engineering; however, my high financial aspirations are leading me in a completely different direction. I don't want to live middle class; I've always dreamt of being very wealthy, and I need to make that happen. Truth be told, I haven't even fully decided what ventures I'll take after I get my degree. However, I know that I won't be happy without a high salary (call me shallow, whatever), and I'm merely asking these questions in this thread hypothetically; and figuring out what I'd have to do if this were to play out.</p>
<p>Russel…Im starting at the UofA this fall in Engineering. I plan to major in Petroleum. I’m also very interested in attending a top B-school after a few years of working as an engineer. How did you find first year engineering at the UofA? any tips on keeping my GPA up?</p>
<p>I would consider the typical 5 yr-engineer-mba route. You have plenty of time to get involved still with extra curriculars. Many American schools offer this route. Of course we all here about MIT, Harvard, Wheaton because they have associated grad programs. Note also that RPI does the same & I am certain UMichigan, Purdue, UMiami, Stanford, UCLA, Rutgers does the same.</p>