I want Duke, parents want Wharton...

<p>I'm very much in love with Duke, but my parents aren't very responsive to my gushing about the campus, classes, and students...</p>

<p>Basically, they're not too thrilled with having to pay $200,000 (no financial aid for us) and want me to justify my college choice with hard salaries and career options upon graduation - assuming I DON'T go to graduate school. Obviously, Penn/Wharton is very appealing to them for this reason, since most of those grads get jobs without professional business school degrees.</p>

<p>So, I want to go to law school, but if I have to work to pay of loans before going to grad school, what kind of jobs/salaries can I get with a major like Public Policy?</p>

<p>If anyone can help me with some stats from the career center, especially for Public Policy or some other pragmatic major, I would much appreciate it. I browsed through the Public Policy profiles, but it was mostly stories of cool people doing research and community service...</p>

<p>
[quote]
what kind of jobs/salaries can I get with a major like Public Policy?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>-Investment Banking (a bunch)
-Consulting (a bunch)
-Non-Profit
-Government
-Think Tanks</p>

<p>Why did you apply to Wharton if your true passion was in law? Either way, both schools should serve as ample preparation for either law school or finance jobs.</p>

<p>You're gonna choose Duke after writing than controversial essay to Wharton? lol nice.</p>

<p>The Penn students weren't exactly supportive of that essay haha. No, Penn is fine I just like Duke much much more. And I don't know what my "true passion" is. When I applied to Wharton, I thought I would be a business major. </p>

<p>Thanks Majayi, those are exactly the type of jobs the parents will love to see! Keep it coming... :)</p>

<p>^^What Majayiduke09 said above.</p>

<p>Duke students go into i-banking, consulting, and non-profits in ridiculous numbers. These types of firms recruit at Duke in large numbers to the detriment of other fields (such as retail, advertising). But, seriously, if you like Duke a lot more than Wharton, go to Duke. There will not be a large difference in job prospects - yes, Wharton might have slightly larger numbers in certain i-banks, but it's not significant enough to go to a school that you don't want to go to. And it's really more dependent on you than the school. You can make pretty good coin coming out of undergrad in these fields, so don't worry too much about paying your debt. I also chose Duke over Penn ;) (although, admittedly, it wasn't Wharton).</p>

<p>Oh, and just read your "Why Penn?" essay. In my opinion, it ROCKED. But, still, go to Duke! You will feel much more connected to the university for LIFE because of basketball - I am serious. That is why I chose Duke over Penn - the basketball. It unites the student body and makes you feel like you're part of a community that all has a common goal. Penn doesn't have that. Their toast zamboni is all they got.</p>

<p>
[quote]
The Penn students weren't exactly supportive of that essay haha. No, Penn is fine I just like Duke much much more. And I don't know what my "true passion" is. When I applied to Wharton, I thought I would be a business major.</p>

<p>Thanks Majayi, those are exactly the type of jobs the parents will love to see! Keep it coming...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Let your parent know that those fields, especially investment banking and consulting, do not care what you major in as long as you are mentally capable of doing the job.</p>

<p>What is really important when considering marketability is your internship experiences and your coursework. We have no finance major (the closest is economics which itself is rather theoretical) and we send a boatload of kids to Wall Street and consulting yearly.</p>

<p>Additionally, public policy requires individuals to complete an internship, so people definitely place well if they wish to go to the non-profit, think tank or government route</p>

<p>Thank you thank you thank you.</p>

<p>I'm checking out the Certificate Programs right now. Anyone know anything about "Markets and Management"?</p>

<p>Yeah...its only not that big of a deal. I have not found it remotely rigorous; it is a nice thing to have on your resume to show interest, but I personally don't think it is super special nor necessary for internships on Wall Street or consulting.</p>

<p>Here is the website:Markets</a> & Management >> Student Info >></p>

<p>Anyway, if you are interested in banking or consulting, I just recommend taking some math courses, financial accounting, and macro/micro-economics.</p>

<p>On your resume put a section called "Relevant Coursework" put those courses down and you will be fine.</p>

<p>ditto what majay just said.
i'm in the mms program -- it's been nice to talk about in interviews (here is where i've taken my most relevant and practical courses and have done a lot of cool projects that were great to talk about), but the hardest part is enrolling in the classes.</p>

<p>Uh, many basketball players receive the markets & management certificate with their sociology degree....I think that's all you need to know. Not to be mean, but that's just me being brutally honest. The courses seem like they'd be super helpful and applicable, though. (I haven't taken any m&m courses for full disclosure). But clearly, they are mostly a joke.</p>

<p>At the place I'm working (top company in the whole consulting/banking area) Duke is behind Wharton by a bit, but not significantly different. This is for an office which is within an hour from Penn and 10 hours from Duke too, so keep in mind the geographic preferences of Duke students when it comes to preference.</p>

<p>If you want any more specific advice, feel free to PM me, especially if you are interested in a vocational track such as consulting/banking and your parents want you to do that too.</p>

<p>Woohoo! Thanks to:
thethoughtprocess, bluedog, bluestar7, and Majayiduke09.</p>

<p>I showed my parents this information, and guess what: I'm going to Duke! :D</p>

<p>Hey padfoot, good decision - I'd look into getting an MMS certificate or a minor in Econ to satisfy your parents.</p>

<p>Feel free to ask me any questions about Duke, its academics, and how to prepare for internships, etc.</p>

<p>I know someone that was deciding between Wharton and Duke, and is from San Diego...</p>

<p>Did you come to LSRW?</p>

<p>If you are who I think you are, come to Duke. You seemed to have really enjoyed it here, and you were meeting a lot of people.</p>