I am a free market capitalist who completely supports business as a worthy career, but I wonder why any bright kid who can attend a selective college would choose to major in business for his/her undergrad degree. Why do I say this? For the following reasons:

1. If one wants to maximize possibilities for the most sought after business jobs (eg, IB, consulting, hedge fund, PE, VC, top corporate jobs), then an MBA from a top business school is the ultimate credential. But if someone is going to get an MBA down the road, why major in business in undergrad instead of anything else that won't be duplicative with graduate business school education? The top business schools are generally looking to admit and train future leaders who have not already specialized in business education as college. I would argue that any STEM subject or economics would be a better major for someone with quant skills looking to get an MBA later, and any liberal; arts major would also be better for a non-quant student also looking to get an MBA.

2. Yes, maybe your chances of getting an entry-level job in IB or consulting out of undergrad is higher with a business major from a top school, but the vast majority of these kids are probably thinking of getting an MBA after 2-3 years of work experience. If that is the case, why not study something else or a broad range of subjects in college when this is your last chance to explore and take whatever class interests you? And if your goal is to attend an M7 graduate business school, all things being equal, your chances of getting admitted with an undergrad business major is less because the value-add of a MBA is also perceived to be less by admissions officers who seek to build a diverse and interesting class with people from all academic backgrounds.

To sum it up, I'm arguing that an undergrad business degree is the worst education a smart kid can pursue. I didn't say it's the worst decision one can make or that it can't lead to a decent job after graduation, I'm just saying it's a poor education for someone smart enough to get into a highly selective school because that person could gain a more well rounded education, achieve the same outcome after graduation, and attend a top graduate business school without spending precious 4 years studying business in college.

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U of Michigan has one of the best undergraduate business schools. Not warm but it's a large school with a strong sports program.

University of Florida

UC Berkeley, Michigan, UT-Austin, UNC, UVA, Indiana, Notre Dame have great business schools with big sports.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to get dc to focus more closely on schools and thought it might be helpful if he could start with the universe of those colleges with good undergraduate business programs.

This list is a nice place to start https://poetsandquantsforundergrads.com/2019/12/20/wharton-again-tops-pqs-best-undergraduate-b-schools-of-2020/4/

That site is really the best for undergraduate business info.

Indiana U has an excellent b school and is a great university overall. Rolling admission.

USC would be the obvious choice for warm weather, sports, and excellent b-school.

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to get dc to focus more closely on schools and thought it might be helpful if he could start with the universe of those colleges with good undergraduate business programs.

This list is a nice place to start https://poetsandquantsforundergrads.com/2019/12/20/wharton-again-tops-pqs-best-undergraduate-b-schools-of-2020/4/

Anonymous wrote:Fairfield University has a well respected business chill for accounting and finance in the NYC area if he wants to be up there.

Definitely not warm! Are they a big sports school?

Fairfield University has a well respected business chill for accounting and finance in the NYC area if he wants to be up there.

Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

UVA is an obvious one close by. UT Austin, USC, UNC are other good choices for warm and sports. A lot of the better business schools are north and midwest so make sure he doesn't limit his options too much.

UC Berkeley.

Ge the Fiske guide and perhaps interface with the school college guidance counselor.

I am trying to get dc to focus more closely on schools and thought it might be helpful if he could start with the universe of those colleges with good undergraduate business programs. Business (generally) because that is what he says will most likely be his major. He is a high school junior and with the coronavirus monkey wrench to campus visits, I am getting a bit worried that he isn't further along in the process. He prefers warmer weather and seems to have an interest in larger schools with strong sports programs. We are doing some online research but would really appreciate the input from this very knowledgeable community. Thanks.