<p>I am a senior in high school, hoping to major in business during my undergraduate studies, and then earn my MBA in my graduate studies. However, my dream school, UCLA, only has a business economics major option, while UC Irvine has a business administration major. I would much rather major in business administration, but UCLA is a much more prestigious school. My question is, which program would benefit me more in terms of applying to graduate MBA programs and doing well in them?</p>
<p>On a side note, these are the only two UC schools that I would consider attending, due to the ideal distance from home.</p>
<p>Typically, MBA students attend MBA school after work experience, and there is no requirement to have any particular undergraduate degree, including business.</p>
<p>Get into the schools first. UCLA might make the choice easier for you.
Also, like the above post states, the major will not make a difference. There are plenty of students at top MBA programs who didn’t major in anything related to business. What made them qualified for those spots at top MBA programs was their work experience after undergrad. Even if you look at top undergrad schools, some of them don’t offer business econ nor business administration as a major. Students who attend these top undergrad schools who have the business interest will often major in Economics, Math, Statistics, Engineering, etc.</p>
<p>With that said, I am going to guess that the UCLA name will draw employers or recruiters that UCI doesn’t get, which can marginally help you when seeking employment. I may be wrong though. UCI may have the monopoly with OC/LB area employers.</p>
<p>^Agree. What exactly do you want to do with a business admin degree? You should have a concentration- accounting, finance or MIS. If you go for UCLA econ major, you should do a double major like econ + math. Then recieve your MBA after prior work experience.</p>
<p>Thank you for the insight. I suppose that work experience wasn’t a prominent factor when I was contemplating these plans. I have also been told that perhaps majoring in business econ would allow me more of a concentration. Do you think that neither the MBA students who are fresh out of their undergraduate studies and did very well nor the MBA students who have put their education on the back burner while gaining work experience have an advantage? Or, is one more favorable than the other? My issue here is that I find it ideal to finish all of my education, and then move on to a secure career.</p>
<p>If you look at [Berkeley’s</a> career survey of business bachelor’s degree graduates](<a href=“https://career.berkeley.edu/Major/BusAd.stm]Berkeley’s”>https://career.berkeley.edu/Major/BusAd.stm), you will see that those graduating with bachelor’s degrees in business administration predominantly went into the work force (78% in 2010). Few went to graduate school (4% in 2010), and of those 6 who reported their graduate school and major in 2010, none went to graduate business school.</p>
<p>Both UCs are excellent schools. Please keep in mind that the nation has been in a recession and people are looking for work right after college to get some work experience so they may wait awhile before jumping into grad school if they decide to go that route. Based on your major of interest, have you considered looking into private schools? For example, Chapman University in Orange, has an excellent reputation, offers a BS in business administration and a BA in economics. They also have Dr. Vernon Smith, a Nobel Laureate in economics as one of their professors. That’s tops! Perhaps you might want to check into their merit-scholarships program. Best of luck in your search!
[Chapman</a> University - Argyros School of Business & Economics](<a href=“Argyros School of Business and Economics | Chapman University”>Argyros School of Business and Economics | Chapman University)
[Chapman</a> University - ASBE - Programs - Undergraduate](<a href=“Page Not Found | Chapman University”>Page Not Found | Chapman University)</p>