Is it true that top mba programs do not want business management majors no matter how high the gpa and gmat is? My dream schools are Harvard , Columbia , nyu and USC. My current gpa is 3.5 I’m a business management major and am afraid I’ve ruined my chances. I’ve done multiple internships and have began creating my own app (among other extra curricular activities) . Will my undergrad major hinder me no matter what ?
Are you a junior or a senior?
You’ll be competing for fewer slots (about 40-45%) against more applicants. So no, it’s not true top MBA don’t want business management majors, but the general management major isn’t what they want, so you really have to be the class valedictorian or best in your major, and they do prefer less “vocational” majors (although Finance majors are better off due to the fact they must take more advanced math/econometrics classes).
What is your current college?
Have you taken more than the basic required gen eds (ie., taken-extra- history, philosophy, art, foreign language/culture… plus math to the highest possible level, beyond Calculus1?) Have you studied abroad? Are you active in the community where your college is located, volunteering your time?
In any case a 3.5 is low for those MBA’s - in addition, you need to have 2-5 years of professional experience, preferably at a nationally known or internationally known brand to have a shot (think Nestle, CocaCola, CNN, Cargill, a professional sports team, Oracle…)
So, my advice is to increase your schedule rigor and look for a good job starting now. Don’t just focus on brand names because being unemployed would be incomparably worse than being employed in a mom-and-pop store, but start now and work hard to fit what they want.
@MYOS1634 I have done multiple clubs and community service and volunteer work. Was also in student government and have began developing my own app. I can double major in marketing or finance if that would help. I’ve been offered an assistant manager position at my current job and run an online website currently. I could minor in accounting which would take less time than a major but this may not be worth it. I was thinking of doing my masters in accounting becoming a cpa and then doing an mba if I see fit.
Choose between accounting and finance, and commit to it. Make sure to take “Gen Ed” classes that connote rigor (such as philosophy) or a well educated person (like art or music history).
@MYOS1634 Personally I’m not too interested in finance or accounting to actually take a second major in it. I could add the double major just to increase my chances of admission but I believe this would only hurt me grade wise because neither of the subjects seem interesting or like something I would do very well in. I’m not the best at math but I’m not terrible either. But adding math with a subject I have no interest in other than getting into grad school may hurt me especially if I chose not to go to grad school. I will continue to look into an accounting minor and see what other majors I could pair with my business management degree. I appreciate your response as well.
For accounting, see what you need to have for a CPA. If you’re not interested in finance, take just the math they take. An issue is that “I dont like math” won’t fly with the universities you listed, and being bad at it is not an option.
In other words, either adjust your dream of top MBAs or adjust your schedule and hours spent on homework/study groups/tutoring/office hours.
Sounds harsh but it’s your predicament.
You can work for 5 years at the company that offered you a position as an assistant manager l, they may fund your MBA at the state flagship, and that’d be a terrific outcome.
@MYOS1634 I didn’t say I didn’t like math, I said I’m simply not the best at it (engineering, or plain math major type) I feel like finance is like doing straight math and accounting is boring. I don’t want to build my entire college life around and mba that I may never get. I don’t mind a finance or accounting minor because the courses are useful but a full major does not interest me and that would drop my gpa more than help. My only other options for a double major are professional sales, international business, or marketing. I appreciate your help and response. I just wanted to know if a business management major would hurt me even if I have a high gpa good gmat and great accomplishments. Nyu is truthfully my main goal in mba programs . If I decide to go that route.the mba is more of backup plan if everything in fashion does not work out which is where I plan to go . I have designed my own line of clothes and make great money selling online and have began working on an app. So the mba is not a definite yet.
Then I think you should definitely not focus on top MBAs. 
Your plan is good, focus on what you’re good at and enjoy, push it to the max, and the rest will come from it. Good luck!
@MYOS1634 Thanks! Your advice was very helpful and if need be I will try to accomplish as much as possible to get into nyu if the opportunity presents intself .
And of course all top MBA programs will require a minimum of two years professional work experience after receiving your bachelor’s degree.
@TomSrOfBoston I plan to have way more experience than 2 years. I just didn’t know if my major would hinder me whether my gpa accomplishments and gmat were all great or not . It’s a back up plan if the things I currently have in the works do not work out .
It depends on the pedigree of your undergraduate degree. For example, if you did a business undergrad at MIT, Wharton, Haas, etc. then you shouldn’t worry.
The MBA programs you’re targetting all publish the undergraduate degree types that people come from (sciences, humanities, business, etc.).