Undergrad business vs. Econ/Math vs. transfer?

Hey guys, I'm new to WSO and need some advice about planning my education.

I'm going to be a freshman in Georgetown's McDonough School of Business next year. When I applied to colleges in the fall, I had the intention of majoring in biology. Long story short, I changed my mind over the winter, and after receiving my admission decisions, I evaluated each option with consideration of business opportunities. For many reasons, Georgetown was the best school for me, and I was excited about the undergraduate business program. I accepted my offer of admission and easily transferred internally into the business school from the College (Arts and Sciences). Though it was difficult to let go of Penn (Arts and Sciences, not Wharton, since I applied thinking I would major in biology), I really did NOT like the school when I visited, and Northwestern didn't appeal to me as much as Georgetown (extracurriculars, location, weather, etc.).

After more thorough research, however, I'm having doubts:

(1) Will getting a BSBA reduce my chances and supposed need for a top MBA? An MBA seems appealing to me as a way to network, continue my education, and, considering how indecisive I am, potentially reevaluate/switch career paths within business. I feel like I really "jumped the gun" with the BSBA, and lately all I've been reading is controversy surrounding the existence of undergraduate business programs as well as warnings that an undergraduate business program might "pigeonhole" my career path. What if I change my mind about business? After all, I don't really have THAT much experience/knowledge... But anyway, I think it's very likely that I will pursue business opportunities.

(2) Considering that, should I transfer back into the College (Arts and Sciences) at Georgetown after a year? I would major in math and probably econ. I absolutely love Calculus, which I'm taking right now. It seems like this option would develop my best skills (quantitative), be considered more rigorous (particularly the math), leave more options open, and, most importantly, give me a better chance at a top MBA. Georgetown has numerous extracurricular business opportunities that I could pursue as a supplement. When I tell my parents all of these reasons though, they just say they don't understand: "If you want to work in business, why in the world would you transfer OUT of the business school?"

(3) This one's the biggest question... I honestly did not know until recently how highly employers value STEM majors. I'm very interested in consulting, not nearly as much in banking, and I keep reading over and over how much consulting firms love engineers. Though I don't want to ultimately be an engineer, I do love math. Georgetown does not have an engineering school, but Northwestern does, and I'm kind of panicking about having closed that door. Furthermore, not even considering engineering, Northwestern Econ and Math rankings are 7 and 17, respectively, and Georgetown Econ is ranked at 40. Georgetown Math isn't even ranked. Do these rankings matter to recruiters? Would I have the same opportunities for (preferably East coast) jobs as a Georgetown Econ/Math major than as a Northwestern Econ/Math major? I'm curious how much the strength of the departments actually matter (and what that "strength" really constitutes anyway, since it seems to apply to graduate programs). Also, Northwestern has the Kellogg Certificate, a business minor, and a Statistics major.

So basically, with an MBA in mind, I'm looking for pros/cons/advice on whether to go the undergraduate business route or major in math and econ and some advice about about Northwestern. I apologize for the length of this post, and I appreciate your thoughts. I'm very stressed about this right now. Thank you! And if I should put this thread in a different forum, please let me know!

 

I really don't think you can go wrong with either school. Georgetown might see better east coast recruiting because of geographical proximity. Lots of people from both schools end up at BBs/MBB and subsequently M7 MBA programs. Honestly, I think you should make your decision based on which school you find to be a better fit.

 

just double major dude.

I'd take Penn and Double major, if I had your wealth of options. Northwestern is also fine, or you can do your STEM major with either Econ major or MMS if that helps You have good school choices; if you take BSBA, you will only lose some chance from the 2-year Deferred MBA for seniors (those like STEM majors better), but plenty of BSBA do a top MBA.

And don't think too hard about STEM: if you like it, do it now. It's much harder to pickup a MS in Biology 10 years after undergrad than a MBA 10 years after earning a bachelor degree

 

Thank you guys. I think I was having a moment and just wanted to get all my thoughts out for some feedback. Reading your comments and looking back over it now I feel much better. Georgetown really did fit me the best!

 
Best Response

You get a high gpa at penn or northwestern and nobody will give a shit about what major you choose (particularly the ones you are choosing from). Georgetown is a great school and its probably a solid decision to be a business major there. College kids get way too dragged down on the unimportant details. It sounds like your interested in consulting and if you have a 4.0 no ones gonna give a shit if you are a business major at georgetown or an engineer major at northwestern. Pick whichever major you think you'll get the highest GPA and enjoy the most then don't look back.

Also shuang, the idea of double majoring in econ and engineering is stupid as shit. If you are a super genius then go ahead but those are not easy majors and no one is gonna give a shit about that second major if your gpa is substantially lower.

 

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