<p>I'm a rising junior strongly considering a career in business. After research, I have found that an undergraduate business is not always the best way towards an MBA. Since discovering this, I have changed my plan on a Business Admin/Mgmnt. Major to an Economics major doubled (or minored) with Math (or stats--depending on which I find more useful).</p>
<p>A few problems arise in my head, though. First of all, I'm a much more creative person than I am a logical/problem-solving one. Don't hear me wrong on that one though, because my math and science skills are great (in my humble opinion :P). I just feel that I'm better in languages, rhetoric, and creativity (and leadership) than I am in math. This is just how I feel though, so maybe I need some classes in calculus to set me in the right direction.</p>
<p>So my questions are as follows:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Is an economics major a good start towards an MBA? Math minor/major included?
-If not math, what?</p></li>
<li><p>I was strongly considering UPenn (Wharton) for business, but if I do solely economics and math, it seems like other Ivies (Princeton, Harvard) would be more to my liking. Are there other schools I should consider?</p></li>
<li><p>I think that I want an MBA. Should I still consider undergrad business? Or find a good economics/finance program?</p></li>
<li><p>There's probably something I missed--so if anyone can fill me in on something I didn't cover...thanks! </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>The best path to an MBA is ~5 years of work after finishing undergrad. Generally, those admitted to top MBA programs have good work experience. Working at a top consulting firm or investment bank doesn’t hurt, but isn’t necessary. To have the best job opportunities upon graduation look at top schools like Ivies. Top business programs like Wharton, Ross, Stern, and Sloan are great for placement. </p>
<p>Don’t focus on an MBA. You are in high school. Your career path will change a lot between now and when you are able to apply to a top MBA program. Look for colleges that you want to go to for things like atmosphere, cost, etc. Major in what you like. There are certain majors that lead themselves into higher paying jobs out of undergrad (Wharton at Penn, Financial Engineering at Princeton or Columbia) but if you do well at a good school in any major you should be able to land a decent job and work from there towards a top MBA. </p>
<p>At this point focus on getting into the best school possible while balancing cost and atmosphere. Figure out your major and other stuff later.</p>
<p>Please, PLEASE don’t do Econ and Math just because you want the fastest way to get to an MBA. Well, not so much for math, as math will weed you out if you don’t love it, but by god, why is it that nobody actually majors in economics for the sake of economics?</p>
<p>Ray! Don’t get me wrong. That’s not why I am/was planning on taking economics. I still really want to economics. My real question was whether or not I should double major/minor in math. I didn’t know how necessary it was.</p>
<p>It’s not necessary at all. If you have yet to experience calculus, it may be difficult to catch up. Undergrad business is easily as good as economics for getting an MBA, but some top schools don’t offer it. As a result, economics majors from schools like Harvard and Princeton really skew statistics for econ majors.</p>
<p>If you really want to do business, do business. If you really want an MBA, choose a major that will attract good job offers. Unless the college has no business school or a very respected econ program, the best jobs will probably go to the business students simply because they have more skills and knowledge applicable to the business world right out of college.</p>
<p>Let’s use accounting as an example. To sit for the CPA exam, you must complete an accredited accounting program, which would be offered at a business school only. The average starting salary for accounting majors is wimpy compared to finance and econ, because the first job is basically an extension of their education, yet after a couple years at an accounting firm, many go on to C-level management positions. Lots of CFOs and CEOs are CPAs, which you don’t get from being an econ major. Don’t let those statistics change your plans, if you wanted to major in business, go ahead, you’ll still have a great shot at an MBA.</p>
<p>If business is your main goal, Wharton is the place to be. The places to go if you want the best opportunities for business are Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Wharton, MIT, and Stanford. Any other Ivy or tippy top school is pretty darn good too. Wharton business is a bit too applied for my tastes at the undergrad level. If you really want to study econ and have the same opportunities upon graduation aim for Harvard, Yale, or Dartmouth.</p>
<p>I believe an economics major with a math minor is a good start towards a PhD degree in economics, but not necessarily towards an MBA. </p>
<p>A dual economics/math degree is meant IMHO for research-oriented students who are interested in hardcore economic theory and quantitative methods. The typical MBA student has a much different profile. </p>
<p>Schools that are strong in both math and economics include MIT, Princeton, and Harvard.
An alternative to those aforementioned “super reach” schools would be Carnegie Mellon, which offers an excellent double major in economics and mathematical sciences. Outside the US, I recommend the BSc in Mathematics and Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE) in the UK.</p>
<p>If you are good enough to get into Wharton, you shouldn’t even be concerned about an MBA. Some of the greatest businessmen of all time dropped out of college. If you are genuinely interested in economics, then you would do quite well to study it at any of the schools you mentioned. If you would rather study business/finance then you would do fine to study at Wharton. In short, there are no bad options. Just make sure you are studying something that you are interested in.</p>
<p>BTW, major is largely irrelevant in terms of MBA admission. Even moreso, since you would be attending a top undergrad.</p>