Which path should I take for majors?

College Majors Business Major
1
  1. Bachelor in Chemical Engineering (from UT-Austin, MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Caltech, Princeton, if I can get into the latter 5 colleges), MBA (from UT-Austin, or Harvard, Stanford, MIT Sloan, Wharton if I can get into the latter 4 colleges) --> Work in a petroluem-based company doing finance (like budgeting, risk management, etc.). I know this can be lucrative because these jobs are needed, and the fact that the company would be petroluem-based gives a bit of a boost in salary as well.
  2. Bachelor, and then Masters in Finance/Quantitative Analysis from Wharton (applying ED) --> Work on Wall Street as a quant trader. I know this can be a stressful, but lucrative job.

The reason I’m in a dilemma is because I don’t know whether or not I want to apply Wharton ED next year. I know if I do apply, that first career path is out of question (Engineering at Penn isn’t that great at all), since the decision in binding. But I know Wharton produces many smart, business-ready people with opportunities at Goldman-Sachs and other companies. However, WITHOUT ED, I can apply to other top-tier schools for either ChemE or business (since without a binding decision, I can choose my major later on), and then get an MBA later on.

If someone can tell me which career path would have the best job prospect (assuming I get into UT-Austin for path #1, and Wharton ED for path #2), it would definitely help with my decision on whether or not to do ED at UPenn Wharton.

2

Apply ED to Penn if and only if it’s your top choice. If Penn is not, do not apply early decision. At this point in your life, you barely have an idea of what the future holds. Your “plan” may very well change along the way.

Both career paths can be achieved with a Wharton undergraduate education. Most Whartonites feel that their undergraduate schooling is sufficient for career progression. Most choose not to get an MBA. Also, Penn Engineering is among the best in the nation. M&T grads and double degree holders are in a host of lucrative fields.