Photo caption: Joanne Legler and Meghan Keedy visit Carleton College this winter, and catch up with SBSP alum Danny Geiger while there.
As Joanne and I make our way around the country visiting undergraduate schools and talking about MBA preparation and the Chicago Summer Business Scholars Program, one question has resurfaced again and again from students we meet along the way; it usually goes something like this:
“Hi Joanne, Hi Meghan.” [Nervous shuffle of the feet].
“I’m a History major with a minor in Classic Literature, but I really see myself working in business someday, maybe as a consultant. Will my liberal arts degree make me less competitive if and when I decide to apply to business school?”
Our answer is always the same: Absolutely not!
As Admissions staff (and proud liberal arts degree holders ourselves) we recognize that there are many paths to the MBA degree, and definitely no one way to do it. We view the time spent as an undergraduate student as a singularly enriching experience that allows you to develop critical thinking skills, refine your writing and speaking prowess and indulge in your many curiosities. And here’s another thing: a liberal arts degree is excellent preparation for study at a place like Chicago Booth.
Diversity in the MBA Class
When we talk about looking for diversity amongst our MBA students, we’re not speaking solely of gathering people from different cultural backgrounds. We’re also looking for diversity in terms of work experience and academic interests. Chicago Booth is an institution renowned for its innovators. Central to creating that kind of place is the belief that great ideas happen when talented people from many different perspectives come together to challenge and influence one another. In fact, this is the basis for what’s known as The Chicago Approach to Management Education. If you view our curriculum offerings you’ll see that our MBA students are asked to study business concepts within a broad spectrum of sciences – accounting and statistics are among them, but also sociology, psychology and economics.
A liberal arts student naturally excels in an interdisciplinary environment like ours. Through rigorous study as an undergraduate, they’ve learned to interpret subjects from various viewpoints, are adept at articulating their opinions and tend to handle ambiguities with a logical and thoughtful approach.
We are always looking to find talented liberal arts students who will bring something unique to the classroom. Just last year, we had a nice representation of academic disciplines in our entering class with 22% economics majors and 16% from other liberal arts and sciences backgrounds. As you can see, that makes up a pretty significant portion of our MBA class.
MBA Preparation as a Liberal Arts student
Spending your college days studying philosophy doesn’t automatically mean you won’t be adequately prepared for an accounting class, as some might lead you to believe. In fact, the school that produces the highest GMAT scores among its graduates might surprise you – it’s not a technical school or an Ivy League college but Pennsylvania’s Swarthmore College, a top ranked liberal arts college
However, if you are a bit rusty in the numbers department and are looking to brush up on that calculus class you took eons ago, there are plenty or resources to help you do so:
We hope this information is helpful as you plan for your future academic goals. And if we meet you on the road, please introduce yourself to us and confidently own your liberal arts education!
All the best,
Meghan
More...
As Joanne and I make our way around the country visiting undergraduate schools and talking about MBA preparation and the Chicago Summer Business Scholars Program, one question has resurfaced again and again from students we meet along the way; it usually goes something like this:
“Hi Joanne, Hi Meghan.” [Nervous shuffle of the feet].
“I’m a History major with a minor in Classic Literature, but I really see myself working in business someday, maybe as a consultant. Will my liberal arts degree make me less competitive if and when I decide to apply to business school?”
Our answer is always the same: Absolutely not!
As Admissions staff (and proud liberal arts degree holders ourselves) we recognize that there are many paths to the MBA degree, and definitely no one way to do it. We view the time spent as an undergraduate student as a singularly enriching experience that allows you to develop critical thinking skills, refine your writing and speaking prowess and indulge in your many curiosities. And here’s another thing: a liberal arts degree is excellent preparation for study at a place like Chicago Booth.
Diversity in the MBA Class
When we talk about looking for diversity amongst our MBA students, we’re not speaking solely of gathering people from different cultural backgrounds. We’re also looking for diversity in terms of work experience and academic interests. Chicago Booth is an institution renowned for its innovators. Central to creating that kind of place is the belief that great ideas happen when talented people from many different perspectives come together to challenge and influence one another. In fact, this is the basis for what’s known as The Chicago Approach to Management Education. If you view our curriculum offerings you’ll see that our MBA students are asked to study business concepts within a broad spectrum of sciences – accounting and statistics are among them, but also sociology, psychology and economics.
A liberal arts student naturally excels in an interdisciplinary environment like ours. Through rigorous study as an undergraduate, they’ve learned to interpret subjects from various viewpoints, are adept at articulating their opinions and tend to handle ambiguities with a logical and thoughtful approach.
We are always looking to find talented liberal arts students who will bring something unique to the classroom. Just last year, we had a nice representation of academic disciplines in our entering class with 22% economics majors and 16% from other liberal arts and sciences backgrounds. As you can see, that makes up a pretty significant portion of our MBA class.
MBA Preparation as a Liberal Arts student
Spending your college days studying philosophy doesn’t automatically mean you won’t be adequately prepared for an accounting class, as some might lead you to believe. In fact, the school that produces the highest GMAT scores among its graduates might surprise you – it’s not a technical school or an Ivy League college but Pennsylvania’s Swarthmore College, a top ranked liberal arts college
However, if you are a bit rusty in the numbers department and are looking to brush up on that calculus class you took eons ago, there are plenty or resources to help you do so:
*The Khan Academy offers free video tutorials on virtually every subject, from probability and statistics to finance and capital markets.
*It sounds silly, but we’ve actually recommended non-business students check out the For Dummies series for tutorials on accounting and finance subjects. They are a great tool to get you acclimated with the language and terminology of business.
*If you’re currently an undergrad or just starting your career, consider doing a summer business program like SBSP. Enrolled students will take comprehensive courses on the fundamentals of accounting, finance and marketing, and walk away understanding how to read a balance sheet, interpret the investing and financing activities of a firm and what exactly entails the 3cs and 4ps.
*It sounds silly, but we’ve actually recommended non-business students check out the For Dummies series for tutorials on accounting and finance subjects. They are a great tool to get you acclimated with the language and terminology of business.
*If you’re currently an undergrad or just starting your career, consider doing a summer business program like SBSP. Enrolled students will take comprehensive courses on the fundamentals of accounting, finance and marketing, and walk away understanding how to read a balance sheet, interpret the investing and financing activities of a firm and what exactly entails the 3cs and 4ps.
All the best,
Meghan
More...