<p>Hey guys. I'm going to UVA next year as a first-year and for a long time I've planned on going to McIntire and getting a BS in Commerce. </p>
<p>Recently I've found out that UVA has a 5-year program where you could get a degree in the College of Arts and Sciences in 4 years and then spend a year at McIntire to get an MS in Commerce.</p>
<p>The thing is I have 31 AP credits so I could potentially graduate in 3 years with an economics degree and then spend my fourth year getting a masters from commerce.</p>
<p>Do you guys think this would be a good idea and that it would give me a leg up when trying to land an ibanking job? The only reason I'm thinking about this is because it would still be within 4 years just like if i went to McIntire to get a BS in Commerce.</p>
<p>I have to make my schedule soon so any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!</p>
<p>I would go the standard McIntere 4 year B.S. route and get great grades. Do everything you can to land a kickass sophmore internship and that should set you up for a BB SA your junior year. Then you've pretty much got it made. Problem with the one year masters degrees in the U.S. is the Investment banks don't seem to place a whole lot of value on them. Plus, while economics is not a bad degree I think you would be much better off with a finance degree or accounting or both. Have you considered the MS accounting degree instead of commerce?</p>
<p>i never really thought about an ms in commerce because i was thinking an ms in commerce with a specialty track in financial services but i'll definitely consider it if thats the best way to go</p>
<p>One thing to keep in mind is the timing of your summer internships. The key to breaking into banking is going to be landing that junior year summer internship. You need to develop a plan of attack and a way to differentiate yourself. Start visiting WallStreetOasis.com</a> | Finance Professional Community - Career Advice, Networking and Business News on a regular basis and you will learn a ton about investment banking. You are in a great position. Now i'll pitch my ultimate plan for your success. Go to UVA and pursue the finance degree. After your first year, enlist in the military reserves spending 6 months on active duty and returning to UVA the spring semester. Your participation in the reserves would look great on your resume and would build some real life leadership skills. Kick ass in school and get a high GPA. Land the coveted junior year investment banking internship at a bulge bracket bank. Graduate and go onto banking full time for two years. Exit to a private equity fund for another two years. Go to Harvard or Wharton for your MBA, leveraging your job experience and your military experience. Back to private equity making $250-$400k your first year post grad. Next, take over the world! good luck</p>
<p>thanks for the advice marine1300! yea i meant 31 credit hours from the 6 ap classes i took. does anyone else have an opinion of getting a BS vs an MS in Commerce?</p>