Are you a high school student who has his or her sights set on attending business school one day?  Are you wondering “which undergraduate program will look best on a future MBA application?”  Much to your chagrin and that of your parents, there is no definitive answer to this question. Aside from directly comparing various institutions of higher education, there are some practical considerations that extend beyond college reputation or ranking.

In selecting a college or university,  find one that best suits your personality and interests – where you will be most likely to succeed academically and grow personally. And don’t be overly concerned with the institution’s ranking or status.  The fact is that academically, business school students come from hundreds of colleges and universities worldwide, and have earned baccalaureate or advanced degrees in such far-reaching disciplines as business, engineering, archaeology, music, architecture, and literature.  The common element is that these students have the ability to handle courses taught in the MBA curriculum.  Academic ability is measured by past academic performance, the GMAT, professional certifications such as the CPA or CFA, post-graduate studies, or professional experience.  Calculus and statistics, while not required, are good foundation courses for the MBA.

Professionally, contrary to popular urban myth, business schools do not focus on crafting classes based on “feeder” schools, industries or academic disciplines. Students come from diverse professional backgrounds, including not only careers in traditional industries such as consulting and investment banking, but less traditional careers in the government or non-profit sectors, as well as international agencies.  In any given MBA class, one may find former school teachers, medical doctors, nuclear submarine officers, health care advocates, media & entertainment specialists, journalists, entrepreneurs, and others.

The business school admissions process centers on admitting individuals who are well-rounded, give back to work &/or community, possess leadership and/or management skills or potential, work well on teams, and have a strong sense of what the MBA degree is and how it can help them grown personally and professionally.

Consider the following hypothetical scenarios:

• Student 1: attends small, unknown, poorly ranked, public institution in home town for family and financial reasons. Student does well academically, thrives socially, engages in extra-curricular activities, possesses solid professional experience, and performs well on the GMAT. It is only fair to assume student 1 would perform equally well at a nationally ranked institution known for its academic rigor.
• Student 2: attends top name, Ivy League college, known for grade inflation. Student performs poorly academically, does not engage in many activities (formal or otherwise) outside of the classroom, shows little initiative, and has made very modest progress at work. Despite the academic pedigree, student 2 would not be a compelling MBA candidate.

These scenarios illustrate that the MBA admissions process at many top business schools, including UC Irvine’s Merage School of Business, is very much an art as opposed to a science.  We recommend you select a college or university that is the best “fit” for you.  A proper choice will lay the groundwork for your MBA.

Bon chance!