Economics at either Harvard or Stanford vs Finance at Wharton?

<p>What are some of the pros and cons of choosing between a business degree with a concentration in finance or an economics degree? About jobs in the business world,wall street etc Which would be best? Many people have told me that it's better to get an economics degree and then mba but Idont know which I would choose. Any suggestions?</p>

<p>Have you gotten in at any of the three schools yet? No point asking such questions when, in all likelihood, you’ll be lucky to receive an acceptance from even one of the three.</p>

<p>^this comment doesn’t answer the OP’s question.</p>

<p>^Neither does yours.</p>

<p>And neither does mine.</p>

<p>The chain never stops.</p>

<p>No I haven’t gotten into any of the three schools. It would be a dream come true but I just want to know different people’s opinions of a great economics degree as an undergrad and then mba versus undergrad business (finance). Can someone please make any suggestions please</p>

<p>Usually this choice will be made for you, if you know what I mean.</p>

<p>^But for all intents and purposes, let’s say the OP gets in to all three, does anyone have any input on that hypothetical decision? I’m curious about the differences between the programs too.</p>

<p>This decision will almost certainly be made for you. Try to find out as much as you can about the different schools and see if you like it. All are terrific schools. </p>

<p>Here are some details about Wharton: </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-pennsylvania/902457-wharton-mythbusters-3.html?highlight=myth[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-pennsylvania/902457-wharton-mythbusters-3.html?highlight=myth&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>It depends on your preferences. If you are considering economics as a concentration simply because you view it as an intermediate step for finance, I would advise you to go Wharton. Harvard is a Liberal Arts College, and as such, neither endorses nor offers the pre-professional education you seek.
Be mindful of the fact that economics and finance are quite different fields.</p>

<p>You could learn everything at Harvard. You will learn nothing at Wharton.</p>

<p>I can write dumb one liners too:</p>

<p>At Wharton you will learn everything, at Harvard you will learn nothing. </p>

<p>Just because you say it, does not make it true.</p>

<p>Harvard/Stanford classes will be more theoretical and academic. Wharton classes will be more practical. (Think “Psychology and Economics” vs. “Introduction to Marketing” or academic papers from journals vs. business case studies).</p>

<p>As just<em>forget</em>me and a few other posters mentioned, the course work/curriculum will be a bit different. Remember, not an insubstantial number of Harvard/Stanford econ concentrators go on to Ec PhD programs…which usually isn’t the goal (or first goal) of most Wharton kids (which is not to say you can’t go on to grad school from Wharton). </p>

<p>Also, what type of Wall Street jobs? Finance is not a singular world–everything from VC and iBanking and trading and PE etc are ‘finance’. I don’t have numbers in front of me, but I suspect that the relative proportions of students entering different fields in finance might differ quite a bit between the three schools. Again, don’t quote me.</p>

<p>The “Wharton-Mythbusters” has some solid info about Wharton vs. Harvard as preparation for finance jobs. </p>

<p>I think the most important thing is to pick a school where you will thrive (i.e. do you think you’ll do better writing about economic theory or presenting a marketing strategy?).</p>

<p>Beyond that, Wharton does open up more doors in private equity (and perhaps in F500 finance). Harvard may be a tad stronger with consulting (and maybe even IBD?). Stanford, mostly because of its location, will be a small notch below both schools in most of these areas. Again, though, the biggest thing is how you will do at these schools, not where you go.</p>

<p>Go with Wharton if you are passionate about finance.</p>