Double Major...

College Majors Business Major
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<p>Well, I'm curious if anyone thinks this would be worth it for someone like me. And just want advice from anyone on what they think I should/shouldn't do.</p>

<p>I went to Hofstra for a year (3.89 there) and transfered to a CC this semester for financial reasons. I plan on transfering to a SUNY school for my junior year, probably Geneseo.</p>

<p>But I don't know what to do major-wise and because of that I'm thinking of just doubleing up, yet it'd take 3 years instead of 2... is it worth it?</p>

<p>The two majors I'm considering are english and accounting. When I came to Hofstra I went towards accounting (although couldn't take accounting classes til sophmore year) and took some prereqs, but then when I transfered had really fallen in love with english (mainly writing). I'm good at math and want to have a stable job. So I don't mind working with numbers and hopefully I'll be able to use some of my people person skills (and if I get sick of accounting, at least I'll have other opportunities open to me probably, can always get MBA too).</p>

<p>However, I also like english, but it's not very stable and doesn't deal with numbers (which is what I'm probably stronger with). I still would like to write though, but not really creatively (maybe for a hobby)--just articles/essays/etc, rhetoric writing I guess? </p>

<p>Should I stick with these double major even if it takes an extra year? I'd also have some time to take a few other classes I might wanna take, like more philosophy courses, maybe some poli sci courses or even something in nutrition/exercise science (some other subjects I'm interested in).</p>

<p>I'm just not sure if it's worth being at school for 5 years and paying an extra 14 grand (10k of that would be room&board though). It would actually put me a step up towards getting my CPA though (I think) since I need to have 150 credits. However, not sure if I need my masters or not though, do I?</p>

<p>Anyway, if anyone could give me some advice on what to do, I'd be really grateful. I'm just kind of confused and not sure if the path I'm thinking of going is a good one or is even the best one for myself. I know you guys don't know me, but hopefully from some of the information I've posted in this thread you can get some sense of me--hopefully enough to help me out.</p>

<p>Thanks to anyone who read this far and will bother to throw some advice my way.</p>

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<p>IMO, I would just stick with accounting and getting your degree as fast as possible...</p>

<p>It sounds like you want to write as more of a hobby, you don't need to major in it to do that...</p>

<p>As far as the CPA requirements, it varies - each state is different, but I think all of them have adopted the 150 credit hour limit. I know my state doesn't require an MBA, but it doesn't require 150 credit hours...</p>

<p>I don't think it's worth the extra money - concentrate on accounting, and if you really wanted to, pick up a minor in english lit or something similar. But don't waste a year and 14 grand on something that isn't lucrative.</p>

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<p>Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I also haven't taken enough english stuff to make it completely worthwhile, so could just minor I guess.</p>

<p>But what about if I wanted to write for a magazine, newspaper or something (say on business related things or anything else I might get into), would the english degree mean anything? Do you need an english degree to something like that or no? Since that's something I'm somewhat interested in. Other than that there is just writing in my own free time as a hobby I guess. Either way maybe it isn't worht the extra money.</p>

<p>And yea, in NY you need 150 credits. But what if I wanna work in another state? CPA covers all of the US, right? </p>

<p>Also, I was told by a rep at Geneseo that recruiters come to the school, but does anyone know which firms actually do this? Would it be the big 4? Or just lesser firms? It is among the best SUNYs (some say best, but binghamton is more well known), but nothing compared to say UPenn, NYU, etc...</p>

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<p>I think it is very laudable, not to mention amazing, that you want to double major in both English and Accounting. They use different sides of the brain.</p>

<p>I am a CPA who also is a nationally known writer. I can assure you that we are a "rare breed." </p>

<p>I would suggest that you look for schools that have both accouting and technical writing unless you want creative writing. Don't just settle for NY State schools,which aren't known to be that good. I wish I can give you some suggestions, but I really don't know who has strong programs in both areas. </p>

<p>As a possible alternative, consider whether you want accounting as an undergradute. There are a number of good schools with strong business programs and technical writing majors such as Carnegie Mellon. You can always get your accounting courses in a masters program.</p>

<p>Do some research. You have a rare gift. Don't settle for a mediocre school!</p>

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<p>Thank you! Although I'm not sure if that's a rare gift though.</p>

<p>And I dunno if I said it or not, but I don't really want to go the creative writing route. I've attempted to write a screenplay recently in my spare time and enjoy reading and thinking about maybe writing creatively, however, it's not really my strength (at least I don't think so). I am more of a fan of writing essays/articles (and anything else along those lines). I guess that's more on the technical side of things.</p>

<p>Anyway, I'd love to go to a better school and will probably apply to a few, but I don't really know if all the loans are worth it. It's what really sucks about living in New York. Our state schools aren't horrible, but our best is Binghamton (around 70-80?) and Geneseo is also just as competitive. </p>

<p>And the other upside to saving that money is going on to grad school. My parents want me to go to law school (I'm not against it, but not sure if I love to endure the job... I've heard bad things). Plus no idea how well I can do on the LSATs, which is a huge part of all of that it seems. If I did end up doing that I'd probably go into the accounting end of it. Maybe stray into dealing with contracts and such in the entertainment field or something.</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm going to get back to the original topic. It's a lot of money to go to private universities. Right now I'll owe roughly 20k (had a substansial scholarship to Hofstra) after this second year of school. On the one hand there's Geneseo: after 3 years I'd owe 62k (under 50 if I went for 2 years). On the other hand, I could go to a better private university (or out-of-state univ), but let's assume that costs 40k a year (with everything). That's 100k after 2 years! That's more than double what I'd owe going to Geneseo.</p>

<p>Are the benefits really worth it? </p>

<p>It's a tough decision. </p>

<p>Well, at least now I know that it might be a good decision to go on to get a double major. I don't feel whole when I use only one side of me. I don't want to be confined to jsut taking business/accounting courses. Hopefully I'm not too limited when I get into the real world, but we'll see.</p>

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<p>Have you check out the fact that you might get some good need based and merit based scholarsips at other schools? If I were you, I would certainly apply to some schools that have great programs and see what type of financial aid you can get. You can always refuse them!</p>

<p>Also check out Barnard Baruch.They had historically a VERY strong accounting program and may have some decent technical writing courses. I don't know enough about the SUNY schools to make any recommendations.</p>