Need Help Deciding Major...

College Majors
1

<p>Hello all, I'm about to be going into my senior year in high school. Throughout all of high school I've had an interest in (to be honest) the money that a business degree could earn me. However, I've also always considered myself a natural born leader, so it seemed rather fitting. Thus, my ultimate plan has always been to major in Economics and then go onto get my MBA.</p>

<p>However, recently I've noticed I actually have a stronger interest in science. The whole concept and the study seems exciting to me, I've shown some skill in it, and I appear to have taken it more seriously in class than many of my peers. Primarily, I would like to go into Physics and Astronomy since those appear to be where it's at as far as cutting-edge research. </p>

<p>So, in the very near past, I decided that a triple major in Economics, Physics, and Astronomy would benefit me the greatest. My school of interest is Dartmouth and their physics and astronomy programs are so closely tied, it takes only a couple courses extra to major in both. This got me thinking though that there's really no point in majoring in both Economics and Physics/Astronomy, then going on to get my MBA. </p>

<p>Essentially, I'm stumped here. I could go to a graduate school of Astrophysics or something of the sort, but I have always had an interest in making these false monetary notes we call our money system. That however, is fairly selfish and not being true to myself to take a job for money. Plus I've heard many are going into an already saturated business field.</p>

<p>If I could truly have it my way in a perfect world, I would major in Philosophy since that's what I'm best at and most interested in, but there aren't really jobs for that field as far as I know. Any advice, friends? Thanks.</p>

<p>EDIT: Best Summary would be
Selfish Me- Economics, MBA
Worldly Me- Astronomy+Physics, Astrophysics graduate
True Me- Philosophy...Then I don't know where I'd go from there.</p>

2

<p>To complicate your options even more, you could also consider a school strong in analytical philosophy, then double major Physics/Philosophy, with the latter concentrating on phil of math/phil of science/logic. </p>

<p>Ultimately though, it sounds like your choices are between (1) Money and (2) Interest. Only you can say which will lead to more happiness in the long run.</p>

3

<p>I’m not sure about that haha. I guess if I wanted to pick the more accepted choices that would cater the best to my needs, it would be a double major in Astronomy and Physics, going into the field of science. Or Economics and Philosophy, going into the field of business. I think a main problem with my personal choices of majors is that I have this stupid need to prove my intelligence. Like, if I go into Economics and Philosophy, I don’t feel like I will have reached my full potential. At the same time, if I go into Astronomy and Physics, I don’t feel like I will have reached my full money potential.</p>

<p>It’s all very confusing, and it’s leading to a conflict of my mind. I guess it really is a choice of money and interest. I would like to say interest/proving my full potential, but I would hate to have to do infinitely more work, harder work, and nerdier work for less pay than if I had just went into business.</p>

4

<p>Look at it this way: the field that you choose to go into will be a field you will be dealing with for potentially the rest of your life. Maybe sample a few classes of each in college before making your final choice. Start with science major and if you love it enough keep it. But don’t just assume science is your passion just because you’re good at it, especially if you’re planning to major in the hardest fields for the sake of getting more money.</p>

5

<p>^^that’s good advice^^</p>

<p>But, maybe there’s a way to combine Economics and STEM. I know that there are a lot of people who are seeking to use the methods of Economics to do studies on the environment, for example.</p>

6

<p>I believe you may be right Aerobug. I’ve still got a year of high school before college, and things could change in that time. I think my true passion is philosophy, honestly, and I wish that could be a true occupation. However, I think you’re right; I should take a course of each that would fill the GER anyways before coming to a final decision. The only problem that could arise would be the fact that all of my plans rely on a double major. The Astronomy/Physics one wouldn’t be very course-heavy since they share many of the same courses, but Economics/Philosophy I’d want to get on early to make sure I get all of the courses I need.</p>

<p>However, ultimately, I think you’re right. As of now this is all theoretical. I haven’t taken a course on any of these subjects, so I know I shouldn’t decide yet. I just feel pressure that with such widely differing fields, I should start picking which one would be ideal.</p>

7

<p>Also remember that consulting jobs and investment banking jobs do not require any specific sort of major, as long as your school’s reputation is high.</p>

<p>If you go to Dartmouth, you can major in philosophy and as long as your GPA is good you will have a good shot at getting interviews with consulting/banking firms.</p>

<p>^This only applies to top-tier schools.
Good luck at getting into Dartmouth, though.</p>