Math, Statistics, and Computer Science...for I-Banking?

<p>Many tell me that a great GPA is what I Banks are looking for. A simple major, such as history (in which a high GPA can be obtained simply by memorizing and understanding concepts that are well-explained), could lead to a high GPA.</p>

<p>But others encourage to take advanced statistics courses, math, computer science, and actuarial science courses that will challenge me to a great deal and possibly result in a lower GPA. But they say that such courses on my resume will make me very, very desirable to an I-Bank or consulting firm. They also mention econometrics courses. I could easily see getting a B or a bit lower in one of these courses.</p>

<p>What's the truth? What's the best path to take?</p>

<p>Dude I don’t think it matters what “route” you take. That’s really up to you. A 4.0 in a tech field may, however, be more impressive than a 4.0 in a humanities-oriented major–but doing well in whatever major you decide upon should be a given, and honestly these things pale in comparison to NETWORKING. You really think you’re going to be taking derivatives as an investment banker meeting clients?</p>

<p>I agree with Ivy^</p>

<p>You definitely need a high gpa to get an internship offer. My D’s experience was as follows. She majored in what some consider an easier major at her school. But she decided to minor in IT (basically computer science). She also took an accounting, finance and calculus course as well as several statistics courses.</p>

<p>The point is, she got a good gpa in a major considered “easy” by her schools standards ( mostly non-quantitative) but supplemented it with courses traditionally considered more rigorous. ( She actually found some of her major courses requiring research, analysis, argument and writing to be more thought provoking and difficult).</p>

<p>The point is, study what you want and love. Supplement with some quantitative courses if your major has none or few. Show through your course work that you can analyze, problem solve and write.</p>

<p>If you have a great gpa and show initiative plus have some interesting extracurricular activities you should at least get an interview.</p>