Economics vs. Political Science

<p>Im a current freshman (though I have 48 AP units) and right now I am listed as a pre-poli sci major. So far I have only taken GEs but spring quarter I will start taking clases to get into my major. I also plan on doing summer school to finish up some more major requirements. However, Im starting to have second thoughts on my major. Right now Im heavily interested in going to law school and while I know Poli Sci is basically the most cliche law degree ever, it is also something I excel in and I know I can get a strong GPA (a must for law schoo) in it. However, because of a rocky financial situation, my post-undergrad. plans are not at all set in stone and I may have to work after college for a while. </p>

<p>Would getting an economics degree be more useful if I wasn't going to law school?</p>

<p>How hard is economics compared to political science? While I am quite good at things like history, politics, essay writing, etc. Ive also done those things for many years and part of me feels like doing econ would be more interesting because I also enjoy problem solving and logical thinking skills. </p>

<p>If I did decide to go to law school and got a slightly lower GPA in econ, how badly would it hurt me? </p>

<p>Also, if I plan on graduating early (btw, I took calc AB but was sick the day of the test so I have to take calc) would econ be a significantly harder major?</p>

<p>getting an economics degree would certainly be more useful if you plan on jumping into the market, but econ is one of the most competitive majors at UCLA. i doubt you can just switch into it.</p>

<p>For law school, the only thing that matters if GPA and LSAT score. FWIW, a 3.8 in Political Science looks a lot better than a 3.7 in Economics. Law schools do not care if your on major is “harder” than another; the exception is if you are a hard science major, like Engineering or Biochemistry or Physics or something like that. The marginal benefit of having Economics over Poli Sci as your major in your law school application and acceptance chances are minimal to none.</p>

<p>A mere BA in Economics won’t really land you any outstanding jobs. You’d might want to switch into Business-Economics and get the Accounting minor and get a job with top firms in order to have a chance of getting a real job/career right when you graduate.</p>

<p>Economics is significantly harder than Political Science. There is no almost math involved in Poli Sci and the closest thing to it would be Game Theory. Economics doesn’t really involve logic - that would belong to Philosophy. Try taking Econ 1 or 2; they’re not as easy as Poli Sci 10-50. When you take upper divisions like Management and Microeconomic Theory, you will dieeeeeee.</p>

<p>Lastly, if you are so concerned about post graduate finances, I wouldn’t consider going to law school. You’re basically sinking into $150,000 of debt when you commit to 3 years of law school. You better know what you’re getting into.</p>