High GPA- Easy classes VS Low GPA- Tough classes

<p>I am a sophomore at a liberal arts college and I am majoring in mathematical economics. I am about to complete my major and only have about 5 classes remaining. I was happy so far as I had a 3.6 cumulative GPA and a 3.9 major GPA. However, my last class in Number Theory ruined it for me. I got a C+ in the class. Now this is not a class for my major and the major GPA will remain 3.9. However, my cumulative GPA will now fall to about 3.4.</p>

<p>So here is my question- Provided that I am about to complete my major, should I just take easy classes and maintain my GPA or should I take classes that are hard and risk further hurting my GPA?? What looks better at the end of these four years: a 3.8 cumulative with easy classes or a 3.4 with really tough upper level math classes?</p>

<p>For employment purposes or graduate school?</p>

<p>Both… i find myself in a fix right now… Part of me wants to get employed and perhaps become an investment banker. For this I know I need a great GPA and not so much of the math stuff. However, I also may want to do an Economics PHD and this requires aLOT of math… almost a double major. This means i could mess up my GPA… </p>

<p>So, while trying to keep my options open, do you think I am actually hurting my chances of getting employed at an investment bank or a consulting company?? Will these employers prefer a high gpa with easy classes over a lower GPA filled with tough math courses?</p>

<p>WRT employment, check your school’s rules around using major GPA on resumes. As long as you don’t violate the policy of your school or any company you apply to, you’d be wise to use your major GPA in applications.</p>