<p>Hey guys, I was recently admitted into UIUC though I got the alternate choice admission. I originally applied for business but they gave me a list of majors to choose from instead, and I chose economics since it's the most relevant and practical out of the other available majors in my opinion.
My first choice would obviously be to transfer into the business school, but in the case that I don't get accepted and am stuck with economics, would it be a good undergrad degree to have? How is UIUC's economics program compared to others? I tried to look up info on its program but I can't find anything, not even on the school's website.</p>
<p>The thing is I also got into SMU and I know that their business school is pretty well known, though not as good as UIUC’s. I’m debating on whether it would be more worth it to go with economics in Illinois with a chance of not getting into its business school or to go with SMU with a high chance of getting in…</p>
<p>I have asked this same question because I was considering economics at uiuc for transfer for next fall. Yes, UIUC does in fact have a very good business program, programs such as accounting are the best in the nation. The economics students there have some of the same opportunities as business students, but overrall, it all comes down to the fact that business looks better on paper than econ, thus opening more doors to internships and recruitment. US News rankings put UIUC econ at about 30 something for graduate rankings, so it is not awful, but won’t open doors like UChicago. The business college at UIUC is also very very competitive, so chances of transferring, especially inter-college transfers, are low. If you really want to study business and don’t think it is worth the risk of possibly getting denied, I’d say go to the other university. But if you are set on UIUC business, take the risk. You could always transfer.</p>
<p>Related question. My D was accepted to UIUC Business, and also was accepted at SMU. For business at SMU, she will need to reapply as a sophomore, and obtain a 3.3 GPA in 7 business curriculum classes. She loves SMU, and hates the cold, but it seems that the admission to UIUC Business is a bird in the hand that should not be let go of. Any views on this?</p>
<p>Having been admitted directly to the UIUC business dept is a big plus that can not be overlooked. My son just finished his 1st semester of freshman year at UIUC (mechnical Engineering). He chose UIUC over our state school because he would have been required to apply to Engineering at our state school after two years of the basics (calculus, physics, chemistry, etc). Unlike UIUC, they do not admit freshman directly into the Engineering dept. My son did not want to risk not getting in or having to deal with the competition. He is all set now. He has a friend who went to our state school, had some difficulties with one of the classes and now thinks that he will have to find another field of study because he doesn’t think he will get into Engineering with the grade he received in one of his critical classes. We also know a student who was sure that she would get into the business school at our state school. When the time came to apply, she was rejected–it was a real shock to her because she thought it was a sure thing. No guarantees when there are so many applying. Engineering and business are very popular fields so there is much competition. How many students are applying for business at SMU and what is the acceptance rate?? ie. what are her chances of getting in? —that could be something to consider in your daughter’s case.</p>
<p>Thanks, momgrad76 - appreciate your thoughtful response. SMU says that 90% of those who apply make it, but they also make it clear that if you don’t have a 3.3 you don’t have much of a chance, so the 90% statistic doesn’t mean much.</p>
<p>notwax, like momgrad76 said, getting direct admission into the UIUC business school is a great advantage. Haha, your situation is like the opposite of mine, since for you SMU would be a bigger risk. I don’t think getting into Cox would be very hard though, especially if your daughter was already good enough to get into UIUC. For me I know it was my GPA because everything else (SAT scores, extracurriculars) was decent :(</p>
<p>Has anyone actually majored in economics at UIUC though? I would really like to know if the education is worth it. Because I really like Illinois, but I don’t know if it would be more logical to go with another school where I can get into the business program more easily.</p>
<p>I actually applied to UIUC’s econ program and got admitted. I won’t say econ is better than b-school, but the good thing about econ is that it touches a lot of other disciplines such as environment, public policy, psychology etc… I applied to econ because I was afraid that by going to a b-school I won’t be able to switch to other majors since all my courses will be too focused on business. By studying econ I can explore other areas I’m interested in and possibly add a second major/switch my major/get a master degree on that subject. Besides, you can always go to a good business school for MBA or something.
However, that’s just my personal opinion, so it’s not as important as yours and your family’s. I really hope my point of view help tho…</p>
<p>Nephew majored in econ at uiuc. He had access to the business school career services and job fairs. He landed a sweet job in Chicago at a trading company, alongside ivy league grads.</p>
<p>@CArbington, that’s true. The good thing about econ is that it’s a good foundation for lots of possible fields, including business. Does econ involve harder math than regular business majors though? I’m not terrible at math, but it’s not my best subject either and I definitely wouldn’t enjoy a super math-heavy course.</p>
<p>and @d101parent thanks for the info, it’s nice to know that he got a good job with the econ degree!</p>
<p>I also know an student who landed a very good job with an Econ degree. He is working in Boston, and with his job can afford to live in a nice part of town (an apartment in the Copley Square area). He will work for a couple years in an entry level job, then go to grad school and have a chance at a more advanced position with the same company.</p>
<p>For econ major the only math requirements are Calc I and II and 2 statistic courses, so it’s not heavily math based</p>
<p>@Pyrasical, I am taking an Econ class at my high school. I think the class is not really math based. If you can manage the SAT math, you will be fine. However you probably have to be really good at statistics and reading graphs… I think you will be fine! No worries!</p>