University of Texas - Austin
In addition to being ranked number 5 by US News as the best undergraduate business program in the country, University of Texas – Austin is also ranked #38 overall nationally. It also boasts one of the best MBA programs in the U.S., with McCombs Master of Business Administration being ranked #18 in the 2022 national rankings.
Admissions to the undergraduate program is competitive, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of 32%. With a hands-on approach to learning and 10 majors offered in the undergraduate business program, the McCombs undergraduate business degree prepares students well for a future in the industry. Click here to learn more about the program.
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Ranked 8th by US News in the category of best undergraduate business programs, UNC-Chapel HIll is also ranked 28th nationally for best undergraduate universities overall. Their Master in Business Administration graduate program is ranked #20 nationally for those planning on getting an MBA later in their career.
Beyond an excellent array of undergraduate business electives, over 70% of students in UNC’s undergraduate business program also participate global immersion experiences that broaden their exposure and view of the world, and make them interesting and competitive for employment in the future. Click here to learn more about the program.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia is ranked 8th nationally for best undergraduate business programs. It is also ranked #25 in national universities overall, and their graduate Master in Business Administration program at Darden is ranked the #13 best business school in the nation.
The acceptance rate for University of Virginia is 21.1%, however it should be noted that students must then apply in their second year of undergraduate education to enter the McIntire undergraduate business program. Approximately 64% of applicants within the school are accepted to complete their 3rd and 4th year in the business school. Click here to learn more about their program.
What about others?
It should be noted that Duke, Vanderbilt, Rice, Emory, and other institutions in the Southern U.S. have excellent MBA programs for graduate students, though their business schools may not specifically offer an undergraduate business major as robust as the programs listed above.
While this may be the case, acceptance to any of these programs and other competitive institutions will still build the groundwork in undergraduate education that one needs to be competitive at the top MBA programs. The above institutions also have fantastic graduate MBA programs themselves, and many institutions give weight in applicant’s favor if they have attended their undergraduate university.
Frequently asked questions
How important is the personal statement for MBA programs?
Since MBA programs can receive thousands of applications, and many of these applicants all have average or above average GPA and GMAT scores, the personal statement can become and important differentiator.
Should I go through multiple drafts of my MBA essays?
Absolutely. You should have multiple people review your essays for grammar and spelling errors, transition quality, and overall message. The most polished essays that are application-ready have usually been through at least 2 or 3 revisions prior to submission.
What is the most common interview format for MBA programs?
The most common format for MBA interviews is one-on-one or panel interviews (two or more interviewers with one applicant). It is important to prepare and practice answers to the most common MBA interview questions.
How long should my MBA interview answers be?
Anywhere between 1.5 to 3 minutes is a safe range for answers, although a few seconds more or less than this is completely reasonable depending on the question. The quality of the answer, given concisely and directly, is far more important than the amount of minutes you are speaking.