How important is the prestige of your UG in an MBA app.?

[rllamo]

I am currently a Junior pursuing my Bachelor in Public Relations and a minor in Business Admin./International Business. I currently have a 3.97 GPA and I am an active member of several honor societies as well as community service groups. I also have experience in the real estate business and would like to continue to develop that into something more resume-worthy. In addition, I do plan to shoot for a leadership role in the honor societies within this upcoming year. I also have internship experience in the political realm (helping a political consulting agency in managing campaigns for house/senate members within florida). While I do currently attend a top-tier state UG (University of Florida), due to a recent family and financial emergency I believe I will have to go back home and finish my last year at home in a tier two school, Florida International University. I want to know what are the chances that this will affect my MBA applications ? My top pick thus far is NYU Stern.

I hope this post wasn't overwhelming! and that I can receive some feedback asap. I have to make my decision on what to do for this semester by tonight, before the option of returning home is gone.

Thank you!

[rllamo]

P.S.

Also, I am a Hispanic, Female, age 19. AND I do understand that a lot of the application depends on the GMAT. But I am just working with what I have so far.

[akhilsuhag]

Though it is of some importance, I do believe that if you do a good job of explaining you circumstances it will not effect you applications.
I mean if you could tell them that you were attending a top notch uni and scoring 3.97 but had to move due to financial considerations I do believe they will understand. Just to be on the safer side, work at making the rest of the application stronger, extra-currs and work ex.

I am not an expert, but I just thot I would share my opinions.

I hope it helps!!

Cheers!

[Jon@Admissionado]

Well, looks like you are doing well so far! Just keep those grades up and as you wrote going for the extra leadership is always a great idea.
Your change shouldnt harm you too much (or at all) especially if you continue to excel, and doubly so if you have good personal reasons.

[rllamo]

Thank you very much! How important is the undergrad prestige regardless of my given situation? Just to have a more clear understanding.

[Jon@Admissionado]

UG prestige DOES count for something, the most importance "categorization" being Ivy League and Non Ivy League. Afterwards we are in more amorphous territory. So going to a public school ranked 17 to one that is ranked 23 is not really likely to have much of an effect. What's more important is your grades (if you arent moving to an Ivy League )

[money9111]

Don't even worry about it. You can't change your UG institution, so no need to dwell on it.