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!

5 Comments
 
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.

Array
 

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 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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