<p>I was discussing this with a few of my friends and we could not reach a verdict on the best route for a student interested in business. Currently, I have been looking at schools with really top-tier undergrad business programs (Ann Arbor, Texas, Indiana, etc), but my friends believe it is better to go to a school like Harvard, Stanford, or U of Chicago (even though they don't actually have undergrad business programs) and get a degree like economics. Their view was that an education from a these schools, even though they don't have official undergrad business programs, will "open more doors" then with top-notch undergrad business programs. Im really not sure what to think. Which option sounds better?</p>
<p>I agree with your friends. However, there are top schools that offer top tier business programs such as Penn, MIT, and Cornell. At least at Stanford (don't know about the other two), I know that Stanford offers a degree in Management Science&Engineering which is basically business with a more mathematical bent. I'd assume Harvard and UChi offer similar opportunities. Also, I'd argue Michigan is both a top school with a top business program, though Umich-Ross is dreadfully difficult to get into along with the ivies.</p>
<p>Any Top Tier Business Ugrad program or Top Ivy or Ivy-esque school will do. I'm currently in the former, a top tier Ugrad Bschool and I'm doing fine with a great internship for a Wall St. company at the moment. There is no "better option", the Top Bschools are usually more competitive than their overall university though. This is because the top ugrad bschools have a lot of indivualized focus and the students are competing for the brand name and reputation which is usually BETTER than the overall school.</p>
<p>Examples: Tepper > CMU, Stern > NYU, Wharton > Penn, Haas > Cal (I think?) and Ross > Umich/LSA</p>
<p>Go to one of those or like I said, any Ivy or Ivy-esque school will do.</p>
<p>Ivy-esque schools are like you said, Stanford, etc.</p>
<p>Oh, also I believe McIntire/Haas do not allow applicants to apply directly. Rather, you have to apply as a transfer once attending the overall university. I think Ross is the exception here as a public school. </p>
<p>The private schools do have separate admissions for their Bschools and are applied to directly.</p>
<p>Did your friends guarantee you admission into Stanford etc. too? What a ridiculous comment--sort of like how to make a $1,000,000, start with a $1,000,000. Lots of people have a shot at IU that would not ever dream of getting into Stanford. The good news is they can end up at the same place. That's the beauty of a good ug business school.</p>
<p>^^
Ehh, we are presuming the OP has a choice of both types of schools.</p>