I’m really interested in northwestern, but have always wanted undergrad business school. Since they don’t have it, I am considering applied math because I have always liked and been good at math. I also am interested in the Kellogg undergrad certificate. So I guess my questions are would this be enough to be competitive for a job at big banks or other finance jobseekers Chicago? And would the coop program have any business related coops and not just engineering? Thanks!
Consider Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences (IEMS) degree. One can view it as being somewhat in between applied maths (operations research) and business.
Study IE and double major in Econ. Decent grades will almost ensure a banking job at one of the big boys (GS, MS, JPMC). I majored in ChE and had almost zero business experience but I still managed to get an i-banking interview and also made it to the Super Saturday at a PE firm in Chicago (bummer that I didn’t get this offer). The opportunities and offers will be there is all I’m saying.
Also, there is always the option of the MMSS program, although it is considered one of the hardest majors on campus (along with ChE, but I’m biased lol). Just keep in mind that with the MMSS program you’ll be competing for grades with some of the hardest working kids at the school. I wouldn’t necessarily say MMSS program majors are the raw intelligence “smartest” kids on campus, but everyone I knew in that program absolutely worked their balls and ovaries off like they were robots. The kids I knew in MMSS all got prestigious jobs and graduate school admissions though.
As for the co-op program, that is very much engineering/technical focused, so that probably wouldn’t be a good path based on your goals. As well, if you double major in IE and Econ I am not sure how realistic it would be to also obtain a Kellogg certificate, but I might be wrong.
Good points @wildcat3b I fully agree with your points
MMSS or bust, in my opinion.
Literally the first thing you read on their website is “Upon graduating, students find opportunities in the private and public sectors, from financial services to software development”. http://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/applied-math/undergraduate/index.html
Also this: “Students who earn a bachelor of science in applied mathematics are well prepared to function as professional mathematicians, excel in graduate study, work to advance the field, or apply their knowledge in other areas that might include finance, business management, law, or medicine.” from the link to their undergrad program http://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/applied-math/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science/index.html
It seems like the major would then make you competitive for finance/business jobs.
As for the co-op, I’d suggest emailing the people that run the program at NU and finding out that way. You’d get a more correct and direct answer than by asking us. Here’s a link to the co-op page; email links are in the right-hand column: http://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/career-development/programs/co-op/