Which path should I take?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am planning to start my own personal training business after college. I am currently a high school senior. The way I see it, I need knowledge in both business and exercise science/kinesiology. I figure I have the following paths to choose from in college:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Double major in business and exercise science.</p></li>
<li><p>Major in exercise science at a great school, then go to graduate school for business.</p></li>
<li><p>Go to a great undergraduate business school and learn exercise science outside of college (through national certification agencies such as ACE, NASM, ACSM, NCSA, etc.). Don't go to graduate school.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>The reason this is an issue is because I plan to play college basketball, which limits me to Division 2 and 3 schools. THIS MAKES OPTION #1 VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND. In the few schools that do offer both majors, the business school is not known to be great. I feel that if I'm going to major in undergraduate business, I should go to a great business school.</p>

<p>My question is which path should I take? (or a totally different suggestion). If you have any schools that would go along with that path, that would be great too. I appreciate your help.</p>

<p>Stats: 35 ACT, 4.0 GPA, #1 class rank, decent ECs.</p>

2

<p>

Why if you intend to use this to start your own business? IMO the curriculum for great business schools is more focused on analyzing markets, not how to sustain a small business.</p>

3

<p>@Erin’s Dad
Really? I was unaware of that. So how about a good business school that offers an emphasis in entreprenuership? Thank you for the info. Also, which path would you choose? Thanks.</p>

4

<p>There are plenty of schools that offer entrepreneurial programs for undergraduates. They ranges for an actual business major to special leadership programs where any student is eligible. Of course, I can’t think of any specific ones since they tend to run together after a while but I know some are listed in <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1299462-looking-beyond-rankings.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1299462-looking-beyond-rankings.html&lt;/a&gt; and some under items of interest in the college profiles <a href=“http://diycollegerankings.com/help-me-find-a-college-resources/[/url]”>http://diycollegerankings.com/help-me-find-a-college-resources/&lt;/a&gt;. There is so much variety and I’m sure some are better than others but I’m sure there will be a couple that grab your attention.</p>

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<p>@sadilly Thanks for the links. So which path do you recommend?</p>

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<p>I would focus on business/entrepreneurship and not worry about exercise science at all.
Here’s my reasoning, basketball will provide some entry into the sports management part of the plan. My son is at a small LAC with nothing related to sports management or business but his baseball team still has student trainers. I don’t know how they’re selected or what sort of training they have, but they are there and I suspect that’s the case for any school. If really want to set up your own business, I think it might be more valuable to to business internships in the area you’re interested in. </p>

<p>And I have no basis for this but I suspect trainers and the like who take interns have a lot more exercise science majors to select from than business majors. Also pure speculation but I wonder if the athletes who used to be in PE, then kinesiology, then exercise science, are now in sports management? In other words, it might be an easy major for the athlete. Again, I really don’t know. </p>

<p>I think that only after you go through the undergraduate business program will you have a feel for it you need the MBA. I think it’s a lot easier to use your business degree to switch from personal training to something else if it doesn’t work out. I also think that the business degree will expose you to other possibilities that you hadn’t considered. By focusing on the business aspect, you aren’t limiting your basketball opportunities as much as if you had to find a school with both majors. </p>

<p>You might want to look at [Fitness</a> Trainers and Instructors : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics](<a href=“http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Personal-Care-and-Service/Fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm]Fitness”>http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Personal-Care-and-Service/Fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm)</p>

7

<p>I am a CPA by trade, but I would have the opposite thought. I’d focus on exercise science/kinesiology because it is your unique expertise in that area which can set you apart and lead you to success. You can always pick up the business classes you need.</p>

8

<p>I’d have to agree with happy1. In my mind there are many business majors, not too many exercise science.</p>

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<p>@sadilly I’m not sure if I understand some parts of your post very well, but I am not looking for the easiest major in college. I want the major that will give me the most help when I leave college. However, I have heard from several posters on CC that a Business major covers very few aspects that would help a small businessman/entreprenuer. Do you have any knowledge of this? Would I need to look for a focus in small business or entreprenuership? Thank you for your help.</p>

<p>@happy1 I’m not sure what a CPA is (Certified Physician’s Assisstant?), but would you suggest going to grad school for something in small business or taking business classes at a local community college or something else? Know of any D3 schools with a real good exercise science program (Ithaca?). Thanks.</p>

<p>@Erin’s Dad Do you have any knowledge of whether or not a general business major would help me? Like I said earlier, I am told that most of the stuff is more Wall St. and corporate-type things. So would I need to find one with a concentration in small business/entreprenuership? Any specific suggestions for this? Thanks.</p>

<p>Anyone else have any thoughts? Much appreciated.</p>

10

<p>Any input would be great. Thanks!</p>

11

<p>bump…the more opinions the better!</p>