<p>I have a few questions about the economics major in the school of arts and sciences. if anyone knows the answer to any of these, many thanks :)</p>
<li>how popular is the major?</li>
<li>how intensive is the major, in regards to grades, etc.?</li>
<li>and the biggie–how is the choice of an econ major in SAS justified over a degree in Wharton? I would think that job recruiters or whoever would scoff at econ kids, thinking they just couldn’t get into Wharton. </li>
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<p>thanks</p>
<p>popularity? it's the most popular major in all of the college</p>
<p>really? Larger than biology or political science or English?</p>
<p>well, based on what the field at graduation looks like... and econ's position in the order...</p>
<p>I had this question as well.</p>
<p>Basically, Wharton considers itself Applied Economics, while the actual College major focuses more on Theoretical Economics.</p>
<p>From my visit, compared to Wharton and College students that are majoring in Physics/Chem/Bio, the liberal arts aspects of the major are relatively light, but it does require high level math classes. You just have to do the homework, so that can take time, but you have plenty of time for it. So I would say it is relatively light compared to "difficult" courseloads, but by no means easy.</p>
<p>And obviously, if you were recruiting for the financial world, would you rather have someone with practical experience, or theoretical knowledge. However, you still have a good shot at placing, because you can take any class in Wharton except MGMT 101. However, MGMT is the most valuable class, at least from what I saw.</p>
<p>I had the same question. I decided that I would take my chances with Wharton, rather than settle for Econ.</p>
<p>If you think you want to go to Wharton, don't apply to SAS for econ. You'll only end up frustrated. If you think you're genuinely interested in the more theoretical/academic aspects of economics, go ahead with Penn econ.</p>
<p>"And obviously, if you were recruiting for the financial world, would you rather have someone with practical experience, or theoretical knowledge."</p>
<p>can someone elaborate on that? econ IS pretty practical if u ask me...doesn't matter if it's in a biz school or not. but i mean, for me, i'm NOT sure if i want to go into biz (i used to). but then it's still an option. i just don't want to get locked into one specialized thing. cuz somehow, i kinda wanna become a dentist even tho that might change in the future too. </p>
<p>wharton is like, HUGE. but, the current US economy...at the rate that it is goin...is not too favorable.</p>
<p>remember, it is significantly easier to transfer out of wharton than it is to transfer in. maybe get a dual degree if you are willing to put in the extra work and/or time</p>
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<p>wharton is like, HUGE. but, the current US economy...at the rate that it is goin...is not too favorable.</p>
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<p>Irrelevant. Unless North Korea takes us over, a business degree will be of vital importance.</p>
<p>A 3.9 GPA as college Econ will get a Wall St. job about as easily as a Wharton 3.9 GPA (in every recruiting year but this one). A 3.4 GPA the equality doesn't hold.</p>
<p>that's also true. but a lot of ppl r getting laid off recently</p>
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can someone elaborate on that? econ IS pretty practical if u ask me...doesn't matter if it's in a biz school or not. but i mean, for me, i'm NOT sure if i want to go into biz (i used to). but then it's still an option. i just don't want to get locked into one specialized thing. cuz somehow, i kinda wanna become a dentist even tho that might change in the future too.</p>
<p>wharton is like, HUGE. but, the current US economy...at the rate that it is goin...is not too favorable.
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<p>I'm assuming you've never taken an econ class. Once you begin to take the classes you will learn that economics is far too theoretical for it to mean anything in the real world. The real economy is driven by too many variables that you just can't account for in theoretical economics. If your goal is to work on wall street or in a fortune company, you will use little to none of your economics knowledge from college. The exception to this is if you pursue academia or get a job in the government in the federal reserve, in which case an undergraduate degree isn't enough anyways.</p>
<p>Business is one of the most versatile degrees, much less specialized than dentistry. If you end up going to Wharton, you will have the (much easier) option of transferring out if you want to do something else. Transferring into Wharton from UPenn SAS or another school is near impossible.</p>
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that's also true. but a lot of ppl r getting laid off recently
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<p>Again, you're not in college yet, so you have atleast five years until you begin searching for a job. If the economy stays in a recession for five years, then you can be sure that business won't be the only sector that is effected by this crisis.</p>
<p>i'm only gonna go into dentistry for grad school. that is, if i'm still set on it.</p>
<p>i can ONLY imagine it being extremely hard to transfer from the college to wharton.</p>
<p>btw, i know penn's ranked high in the country for econ. that's wharton's econ, right?</p>
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<p>that's also true. but a lot of ppl r getting laid off recently</p>
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<p>I must be stupid. I really don't see your point. DO you think that when the economy returns in 2010 and jobs are created again, companies still won't want business students in America's economy?</p>
<p>i can't say anything for the future. but as of now, it does not look too good. that's ALL i'm sayin. if i were in biz NOW...eh.. i have no idea. </p>
<p>chill</p>
<p>Wharton doesn't really have an econ major. Wharton offers concentrations in ...
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Accounting, Business and Public Policy, Entrepreneurial Management, Environmental Management, Finance, Health Care Systems, Human Resource and Organizational Management, Insurance and Risk Management, Legal Studies and Business Ethics, Management, Marketing, Multinational Management, Operations and Information Management, Real Estate, Retailing, Statistics and Strategic Management.
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<p>Penn SAS has a very strong economics department, and even more importantly, is a very prestigious college with a strong alumni network that will get your foot in the door for interviews, etc. Alexandre is a banker and is pretty knowledgeable about undergraduate business schools and economics programs and how they place into wall street and other top firms. </p>
<p>Lurker -- thanks so much!</p>
<p>by the way, one of the ways the alumni network manifests itself is in the number of companies that come to do on-campus interviews</p>
<p>and in this economic climate, the banks and financial services firms aren't hiring so much - which is why many are shifting to pursuing consulting</p>
<p>some firms can't afford to hire new blood right now - in fact several have pulled out of on-campus interviewing here - but those who have stayed are indeed hiring, thankfully</p>
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<p>i can't say anything for the future. but as of now, it does not look too good. that's ALL i'm sayin. if i were in biz NOW...eh.. i have no idea.</p>
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<p>I'd reject you now if I were an Admissions officer. Every news cycle to you is the permanent truth until the next news cycle overwrites it.</p>
<p>wow. i'm...stunned. honestly. you think i don't think about what could happen couple of years later? don't jump to conclusion too fast. u don't even know me. God, all the negativityyyy...</p>