<p>I already know about all the entrepreneurial schools, but I really want to get this question answered. </p>
<p>Will majoring in economics at a school like Stanford or Harvard prepare me at all to go out and start a business? Does it do anything to foster growth in an entrepreneur? Any help is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Let's put it this way: If you're smart enough to get into Stanford or Harvard, there's probably a lot more you can do than you think.</p>
<p>There are plenty of people with creative minds who start their own business, and they didn't even have business background. Entrepreneurship is one of the things that you can't really study for anyway. Of course taking courses in management can help, but it's ultimately up to the individual. I would say yes, you have good potential.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. I guess I'm more concerned whether taking economics will be a waste of time considering my future plans. I mean it deffinitely couldn't hurt, but will it give me what I need to know to start out on my own? Maybe I'm looking for more of the technicalities of running a business.</p>
<p>Ugh. Not this again. Entrepreneurs are not taught! You've either got it or you don't. If you've got it, you already understand economics, although perphaps not at a theoretical level. Taking economics classes at University X is not going to magically transform you into an enterepreneur. I don't even think entepreneurial focused degree programs (like Babson touts) are valuable unless you have the entrepreneurial spirit to begin with. And if your idea does truly take off, its easy enough to hire people who know the mechanics of accounting, finance, etc... to help you run your business. Or you sell the business for a nice tidy profit and move on to your next project!</p>
<p>If you are really interested in entrepreneurship you are better off at a business school than doing ECON liberal arts. You will come out with the knowledge of finance, accounting, marketing, and management which will be extremely helpful to you. You can even concentrate or major in entrepreneurship and get your business started (or at least the business plan written), network with people, get info on VC, etc. while you are in school. At least you won't be going in to your dream blind.</p>
<p>How helpful was Wharton in helping you achieve your aspirations?</p>
<p>Econ in most colleges is pretty thereotical, and while it can't hurt, it isn't guaranteed to help and is of course not required. Heck, a college education isn't even required for you to start a business. It's mostly about what you are capable of. But yes, business schools like wharton will teach more applied econ and management, etc. so that might be more useful.</p>
<p>Wharton was extremely helpful :) I wouldn't trade that education for anything.</p>