Hello. I will be a freshman in a couple of months. My dad majored in Buisness and Finance in The Wharton School, so he sort of inspired me to want to major this in college. I already applied for the Business program at my school but it is very selective. I have the stats for sure, I just didn’t apply on time. Anyways, I was wondering, what classes and EC’s lean towards business and finance? I will take Honors Geometry (REALLY want to take it during the summer but still have to look into that with my dad), Honors Biology, rather AP World or Honors World, not sure, Global Studies, English Honors, might take Health/PE during the summer to free up an elective, and IF I get in the Business Program I will take a class of that. I don’t really have man options in classes as a freshman but I just want to know classes for Sophomore year/Junior year. Also, I will probably try the stock market club. Remember I only want classes and EC’s that have something to do with business. Thanks.
Not sure what your school offers so it is hard to say . Also look at dual enrollment possibilities if your school offers that - not necessarily to get ahead in college but to take electives in your area of interest.
Some classes that may be interesting for business and offered at either:
accounting
intro to business
economics
statistics
business management
marketing
entrepreneurship
business law
intro to finance
For EC’s again depends on what is offered where you are:
FBLA
Junior Achievement
see if your chamber of commerce knows anything
@momtogirls2 Thanks.
HS classes?
Math(BC calc or higher - econ/finance in college is getting very mathy of late) + English (demonstrate strong writing skills)+ Micro/macro econ APs + Debate/public speaking/acting (ability to give presentations/speak persuasively).
@tdy123 Thanks. I will be looking forward to joining my school’s debate team next year.
A high school student aiming for finance (even quantitative finance) does not need “BC calc or higher” in high school, but should take as high a level of math as s/he is scheduled for and which is available. Minimum is precalculus in 12th grade, but reaching more advanced level in math may give a head start in the math sequence in college.
Statistics will be used; high school AP statistics may give you a taste of the subject, but quantitative finance will require much more advanced courses like calculus-based probability theory, etc…
The kids accepted at UPenn/Wharton in recent years from my son’s HS have all taken BC.
Whether it is a must to do the class work of an econ major at Wharton is kind of besides the point if not having taken it makes the single digit odds even lower…
@ucbalumnus @tdy123 Regardless if BC calc is needed or not, I will take it by junior year (based on my academic interests and goals I can take AB or BC).
Get up to AP Calc AB or BC
AP Micro/Macro
AP Stats
then take the most challenging other courses you can take and do well in for Science/Social Studies/English/Foreign Language.
Join any business related clubs
@bopper Thanks. I am looking to join the stock market club next year, as well as student government. I will probably run for treasure because it’s managing money, like a financial adviser, which is related to business, so I feel like that will get me prepped for the future. I might join the debate team because I need practice with talking to audiences and I work good with facts and knowledge. I also applied to the STEAM program at my school, the Business Global Leadership side of it. The rest is CS and pre med. That allows me to take business classes like accounting, marketing, economics, finance, etc. but I applied slightly late which will give me a disadvantage but hopefully I can still get in.
If you will reach calculus in 11th grade (two grade levels ahead), you should be capable of taking BC. If there is the option to take multivariable calculus, linear algebra, or calculus-based statistics at a local college while in 12th grade, you may want to consider that.
@ucbalumnus Will do. Thanks.
is Global Studies your foreign language? If not make sure you fit that in. I’m used to high schools which allow electives from any area so I may be confused. If you don’t get into your academy you can’t take business electives?
Global studies is my elective. So yes, it is my foreign language. And I can take business classes if I don’t get in the program but it would be way better if I get in it because it will give me more and better opportunities regarding business.
I know global studies as a history/social studies class which is why I was did not know… What language are you learning?
@momtogirls2 Global studies is my elective. Instead of taking a language, I decided to take Global studies. So, next year I am not taking a language. Currently I am taking Espanol 2 which is HORRIBLE. Last year I took Espanol 1 and had an A+ all year and this year I have had a C average so far. It’s significantly bringing down my average. Even though, for high school, I need at least 2 credits of a language to graduate, I am not taking it my freshman year because I am horrible at it.
The most selective colleges prefer to see students reach level (year) 4 or AP level in high school foreign language. Even many less selective colleges want to see level 2 or 3 at least (and middle school courses may not necessarily be accepted unless validated by a higher level high school course).
Colleges also often have foreign language graduation requirements that may be higher than their admission requirements.
Math, statistics, accounting, and communication oriented courses.