<p>What is he good at, what subjects does he like in high school, and what has he indicated interest in studying in college?</p>
<p>Note that some liberal arts majors like applied math, statistics, and economics tend to have decent job and career prospects.</p>
<p>As far as parental contribution, it is commonly suggested around here for parents to put a price limit on their contribution up front (before the application list is made); if the student wants to go some place more expensive, s/he needs to find financial aid, scholarships, work earnings, and Stafford loans to pay the extra. Some parents also agree that a student who goes under-budget for undergraduate can use the leftover for graduate or professional school. It appears that most here do not otherwise contribute to graduate or professional school costs.</p>
<p>It really isn’t necessary to major in biz to get a job in it. </p>
<p>Maybe you can compromise. Your kid can go where he wants and major in what he wants, but he also has to take some practical courses–a basic accounting course, perhaps, or even an economics course or higher level math courses–which aren’t pre-professional but excellence in which is sometimes seen as an indicator of an aptitude for business-- or a couple of computer science courses, etc. He also has to agree to try for internships and/or to join clubs which would help him network in business. </p>
<p>In other words, tell him you will only pay for 4 years of college. You might even tell him you will only pay for the first two and then will pay for the last 2 only if he’s demonstrated that he has developed some skills and had some experiences which indicate that he’s on the path to being self-supporting. </p>
<p>Getting into a business major is no guarantee that your S will get a job four years down the road. If he’s in the bottom half of his class as a business major he’ll probably be less desirable as an employee than the English major at the top of the class–particularly if that English major has taken and done well in some more practical classes or has interned, etc.</p>
<p>Note that many of the “elite” undergraduate business major programs are that way because they are highly selective (either at the school itself like MIT, or selective beyond the school itself, sometimes requiring applying to the major later, like at some public universities). It may be the high level of selectivity that gives these undergraduate business major programs prestige in the eyes of “elite” high paying employers in finance and management consulting. If that is the goal, then climbing high admission barriers comes with the territory.</p>
<p>ucbalumnus - That’s exactly why we (including him) think business would be good. He’s not a “quant”. He’s good in math but he’s better in other things. A business program would have more courses in things like marketing and management that he would like and do well in than math or statistics or econ. Which is why he’s also not gravitating towards engineering or computer science which would be OK with me too.</p>
<p>Here’s an idea: Let him apply wherever he wants. Ask him to apply to a few schools that you like. Then, when you know where he’s accepted, you can figure out where to enroll. </p>
<p>I may sound like a broken record, but no 12th grader should be locked in to a school/major/career/life-long decision. Nothing that happens here and now should be considered final.</p>
<p>Nothing’s final except if he applies ED to a school that either doesn’t have business or he doesn’t get into the b-school than he’s locked into not doing a business undergraduate degree. He’ll have to major in something which is second best to his first choice.</p>
<p>I think he should apply wherever he wants, but what’s the point in applying to schools the parents likes? That makes 0% sense. The parent isn’t the one going to school.</p>
<p>Perhaps take a visit/look at Case Western where if you are admitted, you are admitted to the full university and can switch between schools with ease. Good merit, good business and pre-prof plus humanities, research university. Cleveland is surprisingly liveable although prob. not on his list. Definitely worth a look–could make everyone happy.</p>
The point is that this situation needs some flexibility and give 'n take. If they each give a little at this stage of the game they might salvage a peaceful senior year. </p>
<p>Secondly, by applying to the parent’s schools, the kid has a chance to sabatog his own chances. When the rejections come, the kid wins. Duh.</p>
<p>All kidding aside, this family seems so obsessed with where the son will attend that they’re disregarding the importance of applications. Nothing is guaranteed and nothing is final at this stage of the game.</p>
<p>Sorry, amazon. From your posts, it sounds like you’ve decided already what your son likes and doesn’t like (and what he should and shouldn’t be doing )and are now in the process of drowning his voice out. No matter what he says he wants to do.</p>
<p>“My son doesn’t have eclectic interests…”, So what are his interests? In his words? Everybody has interests even if it’s watching TV all day, sports, or being on CC. The interests are not universally shared however. And it’s tough when a parent doesn’t respect or have real knowledge of the interests of their teen. But don’t discount them.</p>
<p>“I think he would end up studying economics instead of business. Something which will be less interesting to him…” How do you know? Does he agree? Or he hates both equally and is telling you that on a lower level.</p>
<p>“Which he will not do as well in”…how do you know? Think he can’t handle it?
But what will he do well at and be happy doing?</p>
<p>More important–does he like business at all? Is this his idea or yours? Is he appeasing you? Tell mom/dad what they want to hear and be done with it?</p>
<p>Does he have specific interests (art, gaming, computers, movies, whatever, outdoor interests) that you just don’t consider “legitimate interests”? that maybe you consider “hobbiies” but not career paths? What are his specific talents?</p>
<p>If so, start your own career search for your son. His interests may not match yours in any way, shape or form but there are career paths for just about anything which does not include being jobless at the end of the college career.</p>
<p>The OP’s son (or the OP? the OP posts as both parent and child) has very strong stats which don’t seem to line up with worrying about having to take quant-heavy classes if needed for a major.</p>
<p>I haven’t read all the responses but as someone in financial industries I hire liberal arts over business degrees. Unless he wants to be an accountant. I have hired both but the
Liberal arts students problem solve and think critically. An MBA is the way to go after working a bit.</p>