<p>So I got into both USC's Marshall and UCLA's econ (not biz econ). I want to eventually get my mba around 4 years after graduation. I am REALLY torn between these two.
I want UCLA for the major (i love econ), the campus, dream school, etc. but I'm also afraid of job prospects right after undergrad because its not biz econ and not Marshall lol. Would picking up a minor in accounting kind of equate the econ major to a biz econ major? My econ professor was telling me that econ majors have a broader understanding of finance and other business sectors than actual business majors. </p>
<p>As for USC,the connections are so persuasive. I do like the program, but I'm more interested in econ. So if I were to chose USC, i think I'd double major in Business and Econ. </p>
<p>I've heard so many times that majoring in business is probably not the best option if you plan to get an MBA because undergrad business programs focus on application rather than theory etc. But Marshall is a top business program, so I think MBA programs will realize that Marshall is not just some basic business program ... Do you think it would not be wise to go to USC as a bizz major if I'm planning to get my mba?</p>
<p>I know these questions have been asked one way or another, but I really want to get feedback on my particular conundrum! Thank you ;)</p>
<p>maybe I am a little biased but for me Marshall is just some basic business program. When I think of top business programs for undergrad I think of Wharton, Haas, and Mendoza. IMO, top MBA program programs (Marshall is ranked #25 vs Anderson #15) see too many undergrad business undergrads.</p>
<p>I would say that an Marshall undergrad is perfect for someone that knows that they wont be going for an MBA program. however I did a case competition against Marshall undergrads and must admit that they teach them pretty good powerpoint presentation skills.</p>
<p>The USC “connections” are not any better than networking at a different school. I don’t know what you want to do after school, but if you want an MBA it’d be pretty dumb to get an undergraduate Bus Admin degree.</p>
<p>Plus, USC is simply not worth the money. I just got their aid award and it was abysmal, that’s also something to consider.</p>
<p>The USC “connections” are not any better than networking at a different school FOR SOME PEOPLE. For others the USC ‘connections’ will take them places a school such as CSUF could never have. </p>
<p>I’m going to have to agree with the others…UCLA econ is the choice you should choose. You seem to like studying economics more anyway. You’ll be fine in the job market with an econ degree.</p>
<p>Besides, Marshall may be a good program, but it ain’t Haas. Furthermore, having an undergrad business degree seems to hurt your admission chances to top MBA programs. An econ degree, on the other hand, will help quite a bit in my opinion.</p>
<p>UCLA is also cheaper…much cheaper. Your job prospects will be decent. </p>
<p>You really don’t need any connections to get into the Big 4, they recruit all over Southern California, including CSUF, CSUN, UCSB (probably one of the biggest feeders) etc. Recruiters throw themselves at people with good GPAs. You can get an interview fairly easily if you meet their initial GPA/coursework requirements and relevant experience. </p>
<p>From friends going to both USC and CSUF, Recruiters are there everyday at USC whereas they there once a week at other schools. </p>
<p>@Cayton </p>
<p>You aren’t going to get into a good MBA program like Anderson from undergrad directly, you’ll need good work experience which is a LOT easier to find from a good undergrad program i.e. Marshall v ucla biz-econ.</p>
<p>I would also add that I have sat in on marshall classes and they have a HUGE advantage over UCLA Biz-econ in the sense that they are a “true” business undergrad program. For instance a lot of marketing classes end the semester with a group presentation. You won’t get that from most (if not all) of UCLA’s courses. The knowledge gained from a more rigorous UCLA biz-econ degree is better for someone iooking specifically for an economic analysts job, but a Marshall program will prepare them better for most real world jobs. </p>
<p>I’ll have to defer to your opinion as you know more about business programs than I do. </p>
<p>Still, I advise the OP to weigh his options carefully and see which school will better serve his interests. You may be right that USC is the school that fits this description, but it isn’t at all obvious that he should go, especially since UCLA does undeniably offer some advantages to the OP that USC doesn’t.</p>
im a little confused on the whole undergrad and mba thing… what exactly is the difference? why is it stupid to get an undergrad at usc and then an mba after??