<p>
[quote]
In fact after speaking various representatives of different companies, they told me that often the Wharton Undergrads come in knowing more than most of the grad students..
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yeah, but then you have to ask the question, why do these companies then continue to hire these other 'stupid' grad students from these other schools? </p>
<p>And the answer is simple. The fact is, an MBA program isn't really all that much about learning. I know that sounds terrible, but the fact is, it really isn't about learning. Learning is a secondary goal. MBA programs are really about networking and schmoozing. To be perfectly honest, a lot of MBA students probably spend more time drinking and socializing in the bars than they do studying. They say that if HBS and Sloan shut down, half the bars in Boston would go bankrupt. </p>
<p>The simple fact is, successful management really isn't about who has the greater book knowledge. It's really about personality, social engineering, 'who knows who', and so on. We've all heard the saying that it's not what you know, it's who you know. That could not be more true than in the MBA setting.</p>
<p>I am attending the University of Pennsylvania as an Economics major at the College of Arts and Sciences. I have done some reading and some research and lately have been thinking about the possibility of working for an ibank after college. </p>
<p>Would you say that an Economics major is at a disadvantage compared to Finance majors when it comes to obtaining jobs in this field?</p>
<p>Are Economics majors at Penn recruited or able to attend events at which ibanks come to talk with students?</p>
<p>What advice would you have for an Economics major looking to get into the ibanking field?</p>
<p>If I am strongly considering ibanking, should I attempt to transfer to Wharton and go after a Finance degree?</p>
<p>If you're absolutely sure you want to do ibanking, I would recommend transferring to Wharton. I don't think that in general an Economics degree hurts you since many top schools' econ. students do get ibanking jobs. However, since it is Penn, you're competing against business students. So, yea, it may be a disadvantage.</p>
<p>Yes, you can go into i-banking if you major in economics. The best thing to do as to get a high GPA. All the job postings at Wharton are open to all students at the University. If you want a call back from dropping your resume, you should also post your GPA in your resume. All the Whartonites do.</p>
<p>I don't think anyone who actually works at Wharton would tell you that the BSEcon = MBA. They might say that undergrads don't think it's "necessary" to get an MBA but those are completely different things. Of course, an MBA not the same. Undergrads straight out of college will not get the same jobs or the same salaries - but a few years out (as the salary survey shows) they end up with the same (or higher salaries). </p>
<p>I think the biggest difference is the experience. MBA is more about networking - people aren't there for the academic experience.</p>
<p>And going to Wharton will definitely NOT hurt your chances of getting into a top MBA program. Only about 35% choose to go back for an MBA but those that do go to top schools. Another 15% will go back for a different graduate degree - MA, JD, MD, PhD, etc.</p>
<p>The rest just have no desire or need to get an MBA. Why is that so hard to believe?</p>