BBA and MBA redundant?

Hi all. I'm an undergraduate sophomore planning on pursuing an MBA in the future. I go to a semi-target school with a decent undergrad business program. My question is should I go to the business school and get an undergraduate degree in finance or... major in say economics or another ''liberal art?'' Ultimately I will have to get an MBA if I want to get into banking due to military commitments immediately following my graduation as an undergrad.

I am concerned that a BBA would be redundant, if not obsolete by the time I apply for an MBA program. At the same time, I don't want to pass up the opportunity to attend the somewhat prestigious undergrad business school we have here, provided that I'm accepted. Thanks, monkeys!

 
Best Response

I'd say go for the BBA over econ / liberal arts. The accounting and finance classes will be useful whenever you start a banking job. Sure, most firms have a training program for analysts and smart people pick up the skills they need as they go, but I've never seen a first-year utilize knowledge from his econ major to balance a model or create a pitchbook.

If you're debating btw BBA and engineering or some other science-related degree then my advice might change.

Also depending on how long your military commitment is you might be able to join an analyst class after your service - could potentially avoid the MBA entirely.

 

There isn't much value in obtaining an MBA (for high finance careers) unless you go to a top 25 program, preferably a top 7-10 program. So if you're not going to a top 25 program then you are pretty much attending strictly for knowledge and maybe small career advancement, hence much of the curriculum would be redundant. However, to have a significant impact on a career in high finance or consulting and to justify the expense one needs to attend a top program. One doesn't attend a top MBA program for the curriculum. You attend a top program for the resume build, the recruitment, the network and then--a very distance last--the curriculum.

Point is, do whatever you want in undergrad unless you specifically want to be a doctor, engineer, architect, etc.

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My commitment is four years. I don't think coming back as an analyst would be too viable option at that point. I am hoping to attend an MBA business schools ">M7. As of now, I'm leaning towards the BBA. Could having a BBA be viewed as a negative by MBA programs during the admissions process?

 

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