CAS Econ or Finance (bschool)

College Majors Business Major
1

<p>I'm a freshman at a top 50 LAC. At the time of applying to colleges, I wasn't ready to leave the state. </p>

<p>But now, after a semester, I don't really like my school a ton. Socially and the aspect that it has no recruitment from any banks. I want to do finance. Ideally investment banking, but I would take whatever I could get.</p>

<p>So I'm trying to find the best schools I could get into (targets). </p>

<p>My HS UW GPA was 3.86 and I took AP classes. My ACT is a mediocre 29. </p>

<p>I'll have my college GPA in 2 weeks, but at the moment, I'm thinking around 3.5-3.6... Chemistry is killing me.</p>

<p>Assuming my GPA actually turns out to be around there, should I apply to schools? Or should I try to bring my GPA up and apply as a junior for fall 14? Or winter 14?</p>

<p>Some schools like UVA have high transfer rates, but they are for the CAS not their business school. Apparently it's almost impossible to transfer into UVA's business school. This is the same case for Boston college. And I'm sure most other targets.</p>

<p>So would it be worth transferring to schools like this but doing CAS econ? I'm taking econ now and microecon next semester and I really do enjoy it. But if the banks are only recruiting at the bschools... I feel like it's a waste.</p>

<p>Any advice is much appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Econ majors have greatest values when they have their PhDs
so if you are willing to receive years of education with low wages as part-time or TA.
Then, CAS economics is a good choice.
Banks do recruit Finance major more often unless your from Ivy
because a lot of concepts are quite tricky and they don’t want to teach you on the job.
However, you can do a minor in Finance, and receive a CFA certificate.
Or, you can do a economics in undergrad and get a master degree in quantitative finance.
The math classes in your undergrad education will help you prepare most of the math requirements for Q.Fin and it is a good way for econ majors to get into investment banking.</p>