Major Undecided!

<p>OK I first intended to major in Engineering but I am not sure if Engineering is the best option for me.</p>

<p>My graduate school plans are more or less fixed on a MBA and I was just thinking what would be the best major (undergrad) that would help and complement a MBA!</p>

<p>I am thinking along the lines of a combination of Economics,Finance or Accounting!</p>

<p>I am still keen on engineering but I don't think it would further my business aspirations.</p>

<p>Which major/minor combo would be the best option at Northeastern (ranking wise and salary wise)?</p>

<p>Economics is certainly a good choice. It’s practical, but at the same time, provides a broad education. Finance and accounting are a bit too vocational, but if you don’t mind that, then go for it.</p>

<p>Another thing to note- MBA’s are generally pursued by college graduates who have a few years of legitimate work experience. I don’t think many of the top programs accept grads straight out of college. I’m no expert though, that’s just what I’ve read.</p>

<p>I’ve heard the same thiing about MBA programs wanting job experience. It would be worth asking on campus whether co-op would count.</p>

<p>@TheRippa</p>

<p>Yes job experience is a must and both economics and finance would help me land a job that I want. (Consultancy or Investment Banking)</p>

<p>Which would be a better major option, keeping my job preference in mind?</p>

<p>@coloradomom</p>

<p>Co-op should count. It is a good question worth asking!</p>

<p>Co-op does not count to most MBA programs! Especially not the top ones. When looking for information about internal transfer to business (which by the way is very hard, so transferring from engineering to finance may not be as simple as it sounds, depending on your credits and gpa), they had an admissions worker from Northeastern’s full-time MBA program come in to talk to us. The entire point of her being there was to try and convince students that only wanted accounting or finance as undergrads so that they’d get an MBA. She stressed heavily that not only do MBA programs nearly always require real world AFTER graduation experience (although of course co-op looks nice and will help you get that after graduation job), but they also receive so many applicants that were finance/accounting/marketing/etc majors that sometimes they PREFER normal cas majors instead. She put it this way-- why would a mba program want hundreds of accounting majors that have already studied business for the past four years? Instead they look for people who excelled in what they did study, just like law schools and med schools do. If you’re a engineering major, that doesn’t mean you won’t get an acceptance-- just make sure you take some math classes, maybe a few econ classes, and try and squeeze in a basic accounting course. Grad schools of all types would MUCH rather see you get As in engineering because you really like it than get Bs in accounting/finance because it was okay, but not your passion. Moreover between now and graduation you might change your mind a hundred times about wanting a MBA. When you graduate, the job you get might convince you that you don’t need one to get what you want. In a less perfect senario, you might realize later on that you just absolutely can’t afford a MBA program for years and years after you graduate. You should take some classes to learn more about business of course and prepare yourself well, but I highly advise NOT picking a major that you think will help you get into a MBA program. Pick a major you love, and if a MBA is right for you when the time comes, it’ll work out.</p>