Which is a better major for Investment Banking?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia School of General Studies
1

<p>Financial Economics or a double major in Economics and Math? Please read below on which each major consists of:</p>

<p>Financial Economics</p>

<p>Financial markets and institutions play a critical role in shaping the real economy. The department of Economics in collaboration with the Business School is offering the major in financial economics that provides an academic framework in which to explore the role of financial markets and intermediaries in the allocation (and misallocation) of capital. Among the topics studied in financial economics are financial markets, banks and other financial intermediaries, asset valuation, portfolio allocation, regulation and corporate governance.</p>

<p>Economics - Math</p>

<p>The major in economics and mathematics provides students with a grounding in economic theory comparable to that provided by the general economics major, while it also exposes students to rigorous and extensive training in mathematics. The program is recommended for any student planning to do graduate work in economics.</p>

<p>The Department of Economics has graduate student advisers that students may consult with on the economics requirements. The Department of Mathematics has an assigned adviser that students may consult with on the mathematics requirements. Please note that the economics adviser can only advise on the economics requirements and the mathematics adviser can only advise on the mathematics requirements.</p>

<ul>
<li>I am leaning towards declaring a major in Financial Economics because that major requires corporate finance and financial accounting, which is imperative for investment bankers. However, I am sure it would look better on my resume if I double majored in economics and math. What do you guys think?</li>
</ul>

2

<p>The double major would be better. In the highly competitive NYC investment banking industry, anything that make your resume more impressive will be valuable. </p>

<p>However I’m not a professional in the banking industry so I would highly recommend asking this question on wallstreetoasis.com where you can get advice from real bankers.</p>

3

<p>Assiming that there are in fact real bankers on wallstreetoasis.com.</p>

4

<p>That’s a great point by Tsar. As someone who works in the financial services industry, I’ve rarely ever seen anything on that site that resembles reality.</p>

<p>That said, the most successful applicants I’ve seen come from Columbia in recent years have been a variety of engineering and computer science majors. Overwhelmingly, they’ve been SEAS students.</p>