Econ/Poly Sci or Finance?

<p>Hey! So, I have a dilemma where I am trying to decide between whether I want to pursue a double major in Economics (BA) and Political Science, or go into the Foster School undergrad program and do Finance. I'm looking to get an MBA down the road, so which path do you think would give me the best chance for getting into a good one?</p>

<p>PolySci/Econ Pros:
-Interested in both subjects, might consider Law School
-Probably can get higher GPA
-Offers more varied education than getting a business degree and then an MBA</p>

<p>PolySci/Econ Cons:
-Employment opportunities not as plentiful?
-Foster is a decent Business school</p>

<p>Finance Pros:
-Career related
-Job Prospects probably higher
-Foster more prestigious than Econ/Poly Sci programs</p>

<p>Finance Cons:
-Lots of Business Majors
-Essentially get two business degrees (BBA and MBA), which seems like a waste
-Harder to get good GPA</p>

<p>I think what it is going to come down to is GPA vs job prospects. I don't know which path to go honestly. Any help?</p>

<p>Double major in econ/poly science and then pursue an MBA afterwards</p>

<p>A lot of reasons for this. The most important reason for this the fact that you’re really interested in the subjects. Always go with what your most interested. Also, getting a double major in econ/poly will look better overall then getting one bachelors degree. And your right, with the double major option, you’ll be able to get more of a variety of classes, making you an overall more rounded person. It doesn’t necessarily help you anymore to get a bachelors in finance before going for your MBA, they are open to people of all degrees, and I believe the double major in poly/econ trumps just finance.</p>

<p>oh and I must add…at my previous job at a high tech company, one of my good friends was a manager who had received a bachelors in political science (no minor, no double major).</p>

<p>Thanks a lot! That was helpful!
My biggest worry is employment after undergrad, and that the double major option wouldn’t make me as attractive to some that the business degree would. Idk though.</p>

<p>Go with the double major. The liberal arts courses that are part of the econ and poly sci curricula will make you a great candidate for top MBA programs (and your GPA will be godly). Plus, you can still go into a finance-related field right after undergrad with that double major (provided you have internship/work experience in that field during your four years at UW).</p>

<p>Concur, no matter what you do after graduation. And you might even decide to do something cool like join the State Dept and become a U.S. diplomat overseas, in which case your double Econ/Poly Sci BA and finance MBA will look awesome and get you into the Econ track.</p>

<p>All of this is good advice, but you’re missing one key piece of information: law school admission is all about your GPA and LSAT score. The lawyers and other law professionals I’ve asked for tips have told me to keep my GPA as high as I can because law school admissions doesn’t give weight to the rigor of course work. Another student asked about wanting to go into a specific legal field that would require knowledge of engineering or medicine and the response was to get that degree/take those classes AFTER finishing law school, simply because the rigor of course work could stop you from getting into as good of a law school. Just my advice. Kind of a flawed system, but ya gotta play the game.</p>

<p>The OP said “might consider law school.” If you are sure you want to go to law school, then great grades in a BA in Philosophy is a hit degree, because you learn how to think and reason. </p>

<p>However, I think you should stick to learning about fields that interest you for your undergrad degree and let that other stuff play out later. Besides, you are more likely to enjoy and excel in your degree if you are already interested in the field(s).</p>