UCLA bizecons vs NUS/NTU/SMU biz

Student Lounge International Students
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<p>Hey guys, I'm in a bit of a dilemma about where to go for college. Its between UCLA undeclared (but prob will do bizecons) and the 3 locals for business, but cant really make up my mind. Also on the waitlist for NYU Stern, but dont think there's much hope for that. I've always wanted to go to US to study, but there are a few problems. </p>

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<li><p>I want to go to US, but im not sure im really interested in the econs aspect for UCLA. Also, my school teacher keeps telling me its a party school (is it?). If I'm there I can stick it out and do bizecons, or try transferring to another sch with business halfway. Does anyone know how good the transfer rates are though? NYU Stern is my ideal school but im only on the waitlist, so if I want to end up there would it be better to reapply as a freshman or transfer there from either UCLA or one of the spore local business schools? </p></li>
<li><p>My parents are encouraging me to go overseas, though I know sending me there will wipe out a large part of their savings/education fund, and there also wont be enough for my sister. That being said, there'll still be a fair amount of savings left, and my sis is prob smart enough to get a scholarship, but im still not sure if its worth it as 1) the sch fees are around 10 times more the spore sch fees, 2) from what i see online ucla and nus [for local] rankings are somewhat similar (some show ucla is higher, some show that nus is higher) and 3) will my job prospects really be better if i study at UCLA rather than studying locally? After all UCLA isnt one of the ivies and im not sure how recognized it is in singapore. </p></li>
<li><p>I'm both a US and Singapore citizen, but will have to choose either by the age of 21/22. I'm not quite sure how that'll work out, like for now im considered a citizen at both places/dont need visa, but once i choose does that mean i'll have to apply for visa etc? </p></li>
<li><p>I really want to experience studying in US at least some point in my life, so if I dont go to UCLA Im considering 1) choosing to stay in singapore for undergraduate, then pursuing a MBA overseas OR 2) doing my freshman year in spore, then transfering to a US business school in sophomore or junior year (prefer this option but ive read that its quite hard??? does anyone know if its feasible?) OR 3) doing a semester/year here before applying again for either the next spring or fall intake (is this easier to get in than (2)??). </p></li>
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<p>Also, does anyone know the acceptance rates from local unis and UCLA bizecons to the top business schools in US for MBA programmes? If i plan to work straight after undergraduate VS if i plan to do MBA straight afterwards, which undergrad sch will be able to best equip me for that? </p>

<p>Would really like some advice on which road to take as im really quite confused. :/ Thanks!! Sorry everything's all over the place too!</p>

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<p>If you plan to do MBA in the states, then I’ll highly recommend that you choose UCLA instead of NUS. </p>

<p>Personally, I don’t give a damn about what people say about UCLA being a party school. It still has really solid academics and it is well regarded outside of Singapore. Don’t be surprised that in some places, people aren’t that familiar with Singaporean universities.</p>

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<p>It makes a big difference to your perspective/worldview attending during undergrad. More so than post-grad, which shouldn’t be surprising given that your college years are probably some of the most formative years in your life.</p>

<p>And yes, it is party-ish by Singaporean standards. But you do have a choice as to how much you want to participate in that.</p>

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<p>Maybe I can chip in a bit here.
I did my undergraduate at UCLA (Bizecon) and applied for the MBA program at NUS, USC, UCLA and NYU 2 years ago and got in all of them. But choose to skip MBA all together as I am running my own company.
Bizecon in UCLA means Economics + Accounting + A little bit finance. Most of the bizecon graduates go on to work on Big 4 Accounting firms (I am one of them) with a few go on to I-Banks. UCLA doesn’t really have a strong business program compare to Berkeley or USC. But students here are smart and capable, they will force you to bring out the best. But resources are lacking since we are a public school without a real undergraduate business program. When it comes to internship/job searching, you will need to do a lot of them yourself instead through the school. In the US, every school is a party school if you choose to party. Keep in mind that the library is open 24/7 in the 2nd week of the quarter. So it’s more of your life style rather the school itself.
Transferring into top 20 schools are extremely difficult. The acceptance rates for most of them are around 1~5%. Your best chance of transferring are Penn and Berkeley. But even Wharton and Haas don’t have a lot of dropouts so your chances are really slim.
If getting a MBA is your ultimate goal, ask yourself this: which school will offer me a better chance to land a great job after I graduate. MBA schools look at GMAT and work experience . As long as you have 4 yrs of experience working for a good company and 700+ on GMAT, you will get into one of the top biz schools.
Lastly, cost. For non-californian, it’s not worth it to attend a UC as you are paying triple the tuition. Save that money for a house or your MBA tuition later.
Hope this helps.</p>

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<p>Thread’s abit old, but i am in sort of the same situation right now, except that i am a direct admit to Kelley in indiana bloomington. Curious to know your choice in the end.</p>