<p>I agree that applying to all would be misguided. But for someone who may be interested in studying accounting or finance, and enjoy the benefit of being part of a greater university with a dynamic/motivated/diverse/and competitive student body I think this is a pretty good list to START with (if one is interested in a particular region they could then weed out the relatively weaker ones and add other universities strong in that particular geography). </p>
<p>I think this list also provides a good mix of nationally recognized universities that are strong not only in their respective regions/cities but also across the US and even abroad. Moreover, if one chose to switch to a non-business major, they wouldn't have to worry too much about transferring to a different university, as a degree from any of these places would be well respected.</p>
<p>Of course, few of the top people in the top businesses come from "top undergraduate business programs". In fact, many come from, or dropped out of, colleges that do not have an undergraduate business program.</p>
<p>RML,
In answer to your question about the business schools at MIT and UC Berkeley as compared to those at ND, Cornell, Emory, BYU, and NYU, I think you may be caught up in academic prestige about which I (and most business folks) could not care less. I’m thinking much more about the attractiveness of the graduating students. </p>
<p>Certain schools, which may not be very highly ranked, are VERY well known in corporate America for producing high quality, smart, ethical, team-playing graduates. Lower-profile places like ND and BYU are very much in this vein, but if you evaluate them only thru the prism of Wall Street or the world of academia, you are unlikely to have this opinion. </p>
<p>Regardless of section of the country, business people know that there are smart students to be found at many schools. Put an MIT or Berkeley undergrad business student in competition for a job in some distant area of the country and they will frequently lose to the local State U grad or a grad from a quality regional private school. Schools like MIT and UCB certainly produce strong graduates, but they don’t have a monopoly on brains or business smarts.</p>