Ucb vs. Ucla vs. Usc for business

<p>I'm currently trying to decide which college to attend for fall 2011 and my top choices are UC Berkeley, UCLA, and USC. I am planning on pursuing a career in business but to be honest, I am not completely sure as to what I want to do (so maybe suggest which college would be better for someone who wants to experiment from a more wide variety of classes/majors geared toward different business careers?) My long term goal may be to pursue social entrepreneurship. I was accepted into USC's Marshall School of Business. UCLA for Business Economics. UC Berkeley as a spring admit (will attend Fall Program for Freshmen if I decide to go to Cal). </p>

<p>Does anyone (preferably business students from any of these schools) have any suggestions/tips/insight on which university would best suit my interests? Thank you in advance for your help!!</p>

<p>My first impression when I saw this thread was “Wait UCLA doesn’t have a business major”.</p>

<p>I would guess that business economics at UCLA would focus more on economics with a couple of business classes, although I would take a look at the curriculum to be sure. Here are a list of the classes that the business school at Berkeley offers: [General</a> Catalog - Undergraduate Business Administration Courses](<a href=“http://sis.berkeley.edu/catalog/gcc_list_crse_req?p_dept_name=Undergraduate+Business+Administration&p_dept_cd=UGBA&p_path=l]General”>http://sis.berkeley.edu/catalog/gcc_list_crse_req?p_dept_name=Undergraduate+Business+Administration&p_dept_cd=UGBA&p_path=l) Try to see if these classes match up with your interests.</p>

<p>Just some other notes: I’m sure you are aware that getting into Berkeley does not mean that you can become a business major. The major is impacted and only 1/2 of those who apply (during their sophomore year) get into the Haas Business school as a Business major. Just something to be aware of.</p>

<p>I don’t know much about USC, but I’m sure their program is great, but will cost almost twice as much as Berkeley (without aid/scholarship). USC is also known for their alumni connections so perhaps going to USC is worth it.</p>

<p>One last thing, I’m not sure if you applied to UCI, but they also have a great business school and the business major is not as impacted as it is in Berkeley.</p>

<p>I think you can rule UCLA out, unfortunately. If you’re really interested in business, then UCLA doesn’t have a business program. ‘Business economics’ doesn’t really cut it.</p>

<p>The real question is between USC Marshall and Berkeley Haas. Haas is undoubtedly better (academically and in terms of job opportunities), but it comes with the uncertainty and stress of getting in 2 years after general courses.</p>

<p>The real question, then, is are you up to the challenge of getting into Haas (~50% admission rate)? Are you ready to push yourself to kick-ass in academics and extra-curricular activities? If so, Berkeley is for you. If you’d rather play it safe then maybe you should consider USC.</p>

<p>Whatever, getting into Haas is easy. Basically everyone I know who actually tried to get in got accepted, even a guy with a 3.2. </p>

<p>I would say the deciding factor is that you’re not completely sure of what you want to do and Berkeley is going to give you much better options in basically any major you could pick. I thought I was going to apply to Haas when I first got here but ended up double majoring in MCB and Econ, which are both top 5 programs at Berkeley. </p>

<p>So if you don’t know what you want to do, go with Berkeley for better overall options. If you do know you want to do business, you should expect to be able to get into Haas and should go with Berkeley anyway.</p>

<p>You don’t need to major in business to become a successful businessman someday or break into BB right after college. That’s at least very true at Berkeley. </p>

<p>If you want a career in IB, even an Asian Studies major or Political Science or Psychology major would get you into IB, provided you do well on interviews and you present yourself well. Remember that out of the three given schools, it’s Berkeley that is considered a major target for BB placements, along with Stanford. if all you want is to become a businessman, take the program that you really like, for example engineering, and do well on it. Then you can take a few programs at Haas such as the BASE program. [Undergraduate</a> Program - BASE - Academic Credit - Haas School of Business](<a href=“http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/Undergrad/BASE/credit.html]Undergraduate”>Academic Credit - BASE Summer Program - Berkeley Haas)</p>

<p>Again, remember that you don’t need to be a business undergrad to become marketable. Although the atmosphere and environment at the business school is helpful for those who want to work in the corporate and financial world.</p>

<p>Uh, not many people with 3.2’s get into Haas… it can be stressful. Acceptance rate is 1/2.</p>

<p>But OP if you’re dead set on business and you stay focused, getting into Haas shouldn’t be too hard.</p>

<p>Obviously this is a Berkeley forum and everyone will tend to be more biased towards Berkeley :P</p>