I was searching though UVA’s business school and I found that there are two, McIntire for undergrads and Darden for grad students. Currently, I am a junior in high school in Central Virginia. I think I might be interested in going into business in the future. I saw that you cannot apply for the business school right out of high school. How does this process actually work? Do I have to go to another school and then transfer?
Another question, what are some of the best business schools in Virginia? So far, UVA is the only one that I found that I might be interested in.
Im not familiar with UVA business school too much but I know at Emory and Wake Forest they have to get admitted to the B school after youre already in. In these and I assume UVA also, you go in with whatever major, usually economics or something of the like at the school and take the required pre business courses like accounting and all that. They obviously don’t take everyone so its a bit of a gamble but if youre willing to work hard to earn a high gpa at UVA, it might really pay off to get into the business school later on.
As for other good B schools in Virginia, U Richmond, Washington and Lee (not a B school persay just the major but its a really good one!), VTech, and supposedly William and Mary although I don’t know too much about that school.
William and Mary (public) as well as URIchmond (private) also have fine business schools. I know VTech (public) has a b-school as well but I’m not personally familiar with it.
Thank you for including the link. I did do some research and I was on the site that you linked. It says that an applicant is required to have at least 54 credits. Does that mean that I cannot go to the business school straight out of high school? If thats the case, would I have to transfer to McIntire School of Commerce if I want to go to UVA’s business school?
I believe that UVa does not take direct admits to the b-school. It looks like you apply for an internal transfer to the b-school during sophomore year. https://www.commerce.virginia.edu/undergrad/faqs IMO that is a notable negative as you can find yourself at the school but unable to study what you want.
^^^^Econ and business are very different courses of study. One is not better or worse than the other, but they are different. Econ is a liberal arts course of study and it gets quite theoretical at the upper levels. In contrast in a b-school programs students take a business core consisting of introductory courses in a number of business disciplines (ex. accounting, finance, IT, management, marketing etc.) and will then major in one of those disciplines.
The OP can look online to see the coursework required for both a business major and an econ. major to determine for his/herself if econ. might be a viable back up plan or not.
Is it possible to get into business school at William and Mary or University of Richmond straight out of high school? How is the business school at VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University)?
@randomguy1999 yea I think you can get into both W&M and UR business directly, but idk why you’re really into this. McIntire is far and away the best business undergrad program in VA. Plus, ross and haas follow the same transfer-in policy as McIntire. You could be writing off very good options.
@randomguy1999 Wiliam & Mary’s business school very well regarded as well. It is currently high ranked for its undergraduate teaching, customization curriculum, sustainability, and marketing programs. It has a curriculum that is very team based and is intended to give students hands on experience, I am taking a couple of entrepreneurship classes there next semester where you have hands-on consulting experience with local businesses.
In general the admissions is similar to UVA in the sense that you have to apply to the business school first, but all my friends that have applied have gotten in and I believe the admissions rate is a bit over 50 percent. I agree with Flurite that you shouldn’t rule out schools just for that reason, because some of the best b-schools are ones you can apply to, and if you have the drive and the willingness to succeed you can do it.
@Flurite Can you list your rankings of the best undergraduate business schools in VA?
@shawnspencer Does that mean that there is a number of credits required to apply to William and Mary? I am not ruling UVA out, but I am just trying to know as much as I can so I have an idea of everything I can do in the future.
I can’t speak for UVA, but at William & Mary you can apply and be admitted to the business school you must have obtained 54 credits (each class is roughly equivalent to 3 credits, so like 18 courses) and have taken Macroecomics, Microeconomics, Statistics, Calculus, and Accounting which you can take prior to being admitted. AP or IB credits should help out significantly if you have any credits that can apply to the total number of credits or prerequisites. If you have time in high school, taking them would help you since most are required for the majors at different schools anyway.
@Flurite I’m not judging anyone. Don’t worry. I am just trying to get other people’s opinion on this matter.
@shawnspencer so does that mean that if I go to either UVA or William and Mary, I have a risk of not learning what I want to? I know you are more familiar with William and Mary, so if I go there, is there still a risk?
No one mentioned VCU, is that a bad school for business? I’m just curious because I live close to it and it will be better for me financially.
Well yes there is that risk, but the admissions process is designed that if you apply and you don’t get in the first time you can apply again or you are admitted to the minors program and can apply again in the future. You can decide if that is worth it to you when applying to schools however.
There are two rounds for admittance to the Commerce School during your second year. The Comm School posts detailed info on their website about the challenges of admittance.
Some people decide to attend another university that has a business school that is direct admit from high school because they don’t want to take the risk of not getting in. However, there are also many students at UVa who start out intending to go to the Comm School, and then develop other interests in another major.
Students in other majors can take a 3 intro Comm School classes even if they are not part of the Comm School.
A number of UVa bachelors degree recipients enter McIntire’s masters degrees programs. You are allowed to enter those programs straight after your bachelors degree, unlike Darden, which requires years of experience before applying.
I would encourage you to look at Virginia tech. You are admitted into the business school from day one. Their BIT program (Business Information Technology) is well known. Lots of companies come to recruit at VT. http://www.pamplin.vt.edu/why-pick-pamplin/
I think if you are instate you have some very good options.
Take the time to visit each school and attend their information sessions.
I am just trying to get other people’s opinion on this matter.