[big.bang.loves.me]

Hey soompiers, I just had a quick question.

I'm currently a junior in high school and am still searching for a university to go to, to obtain my M.B.A. or B.A. Originally my plan was UCLA...since I was in 8th grade, but I recently found out that they don't have any business programs for undergrads. And I'd like to go directly to a university, and NOT a community college to obtain my masters or bachelors in administration.

Anybody recommend any good universities? I'm not planning to live in the dorms, and stay close to home, so any universities close to Los Angeles would be very helpful. Any UC's, CSU's, or other universities(especially if they're prestigious lol) are fine. The farthest I wouldn't mind driving is about 45 minutes-1 hour away.

Thank you! :]

[melon]

UC Berkeley has Haas School of Business which is rather prestigious. Though it doesn't meet the proximity requirements you're looking for. :/

[tuttyfruit]

USC!! i heard that they have great job placements and internship opportunities because their alumni network always recruits. if you want to do business in LA, USC offers a great b-program.

[pri-T]

- UC Berkley's Haas School of Business - THE most prestigious b-school in CA, but it's in Norcal.

- USC Marshall School of Business - I go to USC. Can't say I'm not biased. Trojan Family. There are A LOT of concentrations within Business you can choose as your senior concentration. If admitted into the Freshmen Leadership Program, you also have a chance of doing an interdisciplinary major in: Business Administration-International Relations/Cinema-Televison/East Asian Studies. There's also a Comp Sci/Business major and of course, a lot of minors and majors to choose from should you want to pick up a minor or do a double major. The Business classes I have taken so far have also been the most hands-on and non-theoretical classes I have had, so it definitely prepares you for the real world. Also a myriad of study abroad/experience programs offered through Marshall.

Also, some others I know of but don't know a lot about:
UC Riverside Anderson School of Management
UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business - this one is pretty new, I think
Pepperdine University
CSULA

[big.bang.loves.me]

- UC Berkley's Haas School of Business - THE most prestigious b-school in CA, but it's in Norcal.

- USC Marshall School of Business - I go to USC. Can't say I'm not biased. Trojan Family. There are A LOT of concentrations within Business you can choose as your senior concentration. If admitted into the Freshmen Leadership Program, you also have a chance of doing an interdisciplinary major in: Business Administration-International Relations/Cinema-Televison/East Asian Studies. There's also a Comp Sci/Business major and of course, a lot of minors and majors to choose from should you want to pick up a minor or do a double major. The Business classes I have taken so far have also been the most hands-on and non-theoretical classes I have had, so it definitely prepares you for the real world. Also a myriad of study abroad/experience programs offered through Marshall.

Also, some others I know of but don't know a lot about:
UC Riverside Anderson School of Management
UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business - this one is pretty new, I think
Pepperdine University
CSULA

WOW, thank you so much for that information! I'm definitely thinking of going to USC now. It's the best university with an excellent business program, and number 3 in the nation for best graduate business programs(as of 2008). Your information helped greatly.

I'm glad to hear that they prepare you for the real world, and they're hands on classes. Do you know of which countries they provide in the study abroad programs? A link is fine

Pepperdine was also an option, but since I found out it was a Christian University then my options narrowed, since I don't want to be affiliated with a religious university (since I'm not even Christian). Although it does say that any race or religion is allowed to go there, I know they'll probably have some kind of church recommendations(not sure though) or favor Christian applications over others.

Thanks so much!

[V12Juice]

Pepperdine doesn't enforce their religious background on students, you just take some philosophy of religion courses (which should be taken regardless).
USC has a decent undergrad business program, but Haas is much better (albeit much more difficult and you have to apply for it AFTER you get into Berkeley). Honestly though, if your goal is to eventually become an I-Banker (LOLECONOMY) or obtaining your MBA, then it doesn't matter which business program you get into. In fact, going to UCLA and getting a minor in accounting would probably net you a job faster and give you more opportunities than an MBA ever would.

[rwcho]

I saw this thread and had to add my two cents to this!

PLEASE, PLEASE do not reject the idea of going to UCLA just because it doesn't have a business major.

One of my friends just did this and decided to go to UC Irvine, and I think it is one of the biggest mistakes of his life.

He, too, like you, seemed to be attached to the fact that UCI had a business major and that UCLA did not, which eventually made his decision. But let me tell you that a business undergrad degree is almost meaningless.

Especially with the economic recession that you are in now, getting an MBA is a requirement, and there aren't a lot of 3/2 combo programs for a BA/MBA yet. If you are looking for one, Hampton University is one of the only ones I know of, but of course, the school is not very well known.

The thing is, when you go to business school, it really doesn't matter what major you are, and honestly, if you look at some of the most successful business people in the world, they don't have a BA/BS in Business or Business Administration; they have a BA/BS in Economics.

I am pretty sure that UCLA offers that, and that is enough. UCLA also has a fine school of management, and I urge you to look closely before making any huge decisions!

[big.bang.loves.me]

I saw this thread and had to add my two cents to this!

PLEASE, PLEASE do not reject the idea of going to UCLA just because it doesn't have a business major.

One of my friends just did this and decided to go to UC Irvine, and I think it is one of the biggest mistakes of his life.

He, too, like you, seemed to be attached to the fact that UCI had a business major and that UCLA did not, which eventually made his decision. But let me tell you that a business undergrad degree is almost meaningless.

Especially with the economic recession that you are in now, getting an MBA is a requirement, and there aren't a lot of 3/2 combo programs for a BA/MBA yet. If you are looking for one, Hampton University is one of the only ones I know of, but of course, the school is not very well known.

The thing is, when you go to business school, it really doesn't matter what major you are, and honestly, if you look at some of the most successful business people in the world, they don't have a BA/BS in Business or Business Administration; they have a BA/BS in Economics.

I am pretty sure that UCLA offers that, and that is enough. UCLA also has a fine school of management, and I urge you to look closely before making any huge decisions!

Haha thanks for the reply

Actually I have my future set for me. My dad has an international business in another country, which he wants me to take over as soon as I get my MBA or BS. So no problems there

Ahh omg you got me interested in what you were talking about with UCLA. They have a management or econ program for undergrads? If it's possible, could you maybe get a link from information for that please?

Thank youuu! Your post was very helpful

[rwcho]

Haha thanks for the reply

Actually I have my future set for me. My dad has an international business in another country, which he wants me to take over as soon as I get my MBA or BS. So no problems there

Ahh omg you got me interested in what you were talking about with UCLA. They have a management or econ program for undergrads? If it's possible, could you maybe get a link from information for that please?

Thank youuu! Your post was very helpful

UCLA's econ dept. website is econ.ucla.edu
The econ dept. offers majors in:
# Economics B.A.
# Business Economics B.A.
# Economics/International Area Studies B.A.

And, I was referring to the Andersen School of Management, which is the grad school.

[xboredguy]

everyone here has made some valid points
my advice is to stay away from public California schools right now
the budget cuts on education is having a huge impact on the uc and csu school system

go to a private school

[joonage]

Don't be turned away by Pepperdine that much.

Although it's classified as a "Christian" university, it really isn't Christian; neither really are the hundreds of others in the US. lol

They're more of a secular university unlike Azusa Pacific or Biola, both quite near LA I believe.

Also, Haas probably is one of the best schools you can get in to. But Marshall gives you HUGE connections as well. The Trojan Family is probably one of the biggest alumni groups in the world. (Sad I can't be part of it cuz I go no aid )

[xgoody2shoes15x]

even though ucla doesn't have a business school/program for undergrads, it has a business economics major, and most people minor in accounting in addition to the bus econ major. the avg salary for ppl who've graduated from usc and ucla with their business majors are pretty much the same, so there's not much difference. i myself am going to ucla this fall and am a business econ major :]

[inosaris]

75% of my graduating class (09) in Leventhal had full time positions lined up at the time of graduation. Marshall had over 50%. Times are hard...but USC hooks it up /shrug.

[big.bang.loves.me]

Thanks for all the replies everyone
I appreciate it.

I'm probably going to research more into UCLA, or even set up a meeting with them to plan everything out i.e. where i should get my bachelors, if its possible to go directly to UCLA, etc.

[Hax]

WOW, thank you so much for that information! I'm definitely thinking of going to USC now. It's the best university with an excellent business program, and number 3 in the nation for best graduate business programs(as of 2008). Your information helped greatly.

Just curious but where is USC listed as the #3 best for GRADUATE business programs (MBA)?

Okay and I will speak on attending UCLA. If your interests and family goals push you towards learning business, you should goto USC and not UCLA. UCLA's business economics major is the closest thing you can get to business at UCLA. The problem is that the major is primarily economics + accounting with very little business. There are a few courses under the umbrella of "Business economics" that relate to business, but the major is still primarily economics and accounting. You won't be satisfied if you are looking for business.

If you want to get a MBA, it does not really matter where you go, but it would be preferable to go anywhere that allowed you to get a job that has high mobility so that you can get the work experience required for a good MBA school.

Also UCLA does have a management/business school, but that is not something to be mentioned at this point of the OP's life. That comes after graduating since you can't compare UCLA b school with USC's under grad b school.

Just FYI: I'm a graduate of UCLA in biz economics + minor in accounting.

[SurpriseSex]

You realize that majoring in undergrad business isn't the best choice of action right? And you also realize that you most definitely would NOT want to commute to school? Definitely not in the Los Angeles area.

But yeah, since when was USC a number 3 business school?

[AsianBamboo]

You do realize it's not exactly like get an MBA or a BA. You have to get a bachelors in SOMETHING before you can go for your MBA.

Also, USC's program has some great specific options, but UC Berkeley has a much more reputable program. The graduate school rankings won't matter unless you are studying as a GRADUATE. As you will be an undergrad, it doesn't really matter.

[KrNbOi92]

UCLA,USC,Pepperdine,UCI,UCR,CSULB,CSUF(Fullerton),Cal Poly Pomona and San Luis Obispo,etc.