<p>I'm most likely headed to Penn State's honors program next fall to study physics. I'd like to work in industry a few years before eventually moving on to get a top-level MBA from a science heavy MBA school like Carnegie Mellon or MIT.</p>
<p>I'm curious as to how much the undergraduate "prestige" matters to a top-level MBA program. Penn State has a very good reputation in the physical sciences, but its not a top-25 university. I figure if I can maintain a high GPA (3.5+) and get a quality job after graduation, that I should be able to get into at least some of those bschools. What kind of GMAT score would I need?</p>
<p>I went to UC Irvine for my undergrad and majored in Biological Sciences. Graduated with a sub 3.5 GPA, had 5 years of work experience afterward. I don't know what you consider a "top-level" MBA program, but I was among the first applicants selected to the UCLA Anderson School of Management (#12), and I've interviewed at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan (#10), and I'm waiting to hear from Stanford University (#2) and USC Marshall (#18).</p>
<p>Arguably, the most important factor is work experience. Strong work experience will cover any deficiencies in your academic record (if you have any deficiencies).</p>
<p>Hence, I think that the quality of your undergrad program matters, but only indirectly. A better undergrad program will probably get you a better job upon graduation where you will be able to amass the higher quality body of work experience that will make you look good to B-schools.</p>