<p>So I got admitted to the College of Human Ecology, thinking of majoring in Policy Analysis and Management (PAM). I am thinking of going to graduate school and study public policy.
I am also considering internal transfer and double majoring in econ and govt in A&S.</p>
<p>PAM:
Pros- a smaller college and fewer people majoring, which means I will get more attention from professors and perhaps get better recommendation letters for grad school. I also heard PAM is not too difficult, and therefore easier to get a high GPA.</p>
<p>Cons - I think the major is a bit too specific for an undergraduate major... correct me if I am wrong.</p>
<p>A&S econ/govt:
Pros - I think econ and govt are foundations of social sciences (and public policy). People tell me that I should major in a broader field in the undergraduate school...</p>
<p>Cons - Too many people major in econ and govt, and I fear I might be a nobody for the professors. I also heard govt is a difficult major. I am also worried that, since there are quite a few math/econ double majors, I might fail miserably in econ classes because of those math geniuses...</p>
<p>It really depends if you want a broad liberal arts education with all of the distributions/language courses/etc. I do agree that the potential to get more professor one-on-one time is higher in the PAM department. And for grad school, that goes a long way.</p>
<p>The other thing to consider is ILR, which has had many successful students go on into the policy world – in more than just labor relations, too. I think three of Obama’s recent appointees are ILR alums.</p>
<p>I know one of those math/econ double majors. He is interning this summer at blackrock, but everytime I see him he is stressed out. Constantly pulling all nighters for problem sets that take 40 hours each. I also know a PAM major, and he really likes it. He was telling me they are going to have a new building for HumEc soon that is supposed to be really nice. I was just in MVR today and that building is a piece of crap, Ives is so much nicer, but its good if they will have a new building open soon.</p>
<p>Give PAM some time, you will probably like it. I am actually taking a PAM class next semester with my PAM friend (PAM2040, economics of the public sector) and looking forward to it since ILR is offering a pitiful selection in labor econ (1 class outside of le2400 which I already took, and it was filled before juniors could even add courses).</p>
<p>I have another question.
Say, I change my mind halfway through college and decide to work.
Would an econ major fare better than a PAM major in the job market?</p>
<p>I don’t think it matters that much. You can probably do whatever you want from PAM. Plus its a unique major, there are a billion econ majors out there. Quit stressing about it now, there is nothing you can do yet.</p>