Financial Engineering v. Finance vs. Economics

College Majors Business Major
1

<p>I want to be an investment banker, work in hedge funds, or something relating to stock trading. I cannot get into a top 10 college (2050 sat score, 3.66 UW gpa (all honors and 1 AP Calc BC) and a couple leadership positions). </p>

<p>Should I go for finance or financial engineering (would an undergrad major in financial engineering make me more employable to these companies). I am from NJ. I know Stevens and Rutgers has programs in financial engineering. </p>

<p>If I'm not going to a top 10 school (very good but not an IVY : examples BU, BC, Villanova, Lehigh, Northeastern, Maryland, etc) what would be my best plan of action to be recruited when I graduate.</p>

<p>I'm not the biggest fan of engineering even though I go to a science and technology magnet school but if that is what it takes for me to get in the door with a job at a Goldman so I can show my potential, I will do what I have to.</p>

<p>Let me know with some suggestions on what I should be looking for.</p>

2

<p>Investment banking is really hard to get into. It’s more about knowing the right people (and having the personality and the right skills) than what your undergrad major is. Here’s a great place to get more info/insight about the industry <a href=“Forums | Wall Street Oasis”>http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>If you look at job postings, most investment banking jobs list any of those three majors as a preferred degree. Of course, they are in addition to mathematics and other quantitative programs.</p>

<p>If I were you, pick the subject that you can get the highest GPA. Depending on the firm, a 3.7+ will be needed to remain competitive JUST in terms of GPA. I actually read that some employers look at other majors favorably during the admissions process because they are unique. If you go that route, make sure that you can show that you have basic mathematic ability (Calculus I is more than enough). </p>