Undergrad econ VS business

I didn't try very hard early in high school, and my stats aren't good enough to get into any ivies or top business schools. (3.7 GPA on scale of 4.0, around 1500 SAT) I'm now a senior and applying to colleges. My goal is to get into IB, and here's what I'm considering:

  1. Aim for top 20-40 school with good business program, but choose econ since most of the business programs at this level are tough to get into, and the ones that aren't don't seem to be recruited heavily. I'm thinking USC, UVA, Michigan, NYU, etc. Would have possibility of transferring into finance. This seems tough for IB since I would be competing with people in the same college with a much better resume.

  2. Aim for a top 20-40 school where business is not offered and do econ. (Tufts, UCSB, some others). Would not have to compete with people doing business this way.

  3. Aim for a top 40-60 school and do business. Thinking large non-target public schools. Would hope to transfer to a target or semi-target after first year depending on how well I do.

Which option seems best?

6 Comments
 

Thanks, do you know hard it is to transfer into the business school (if it's even possible) at places like the ones I mentioned in option 1? These types of schools appeal more overall to me.

 

I get what you're saying, but I was under the impression that it's extremely hard to get recruited from a place like Michigan for IB unless you are in Ross. Aren't you automatically less qualified to recruiters than those in Ross regardless of other factors in the resume? Assuming this would be true for many other schools too.

 

Try to get into the business program and crush it while you're there. 3.7 GPA and 1500/1600 SAT is by no means bad for a place like Ross out of high school. You would stand a much better chance than you'd think of getting in.

Second, if you really don't think you'd get in to a Ross, then yeah, have a look at your option 2 and do Econ there. Focus less on the state schools like UCSB. Instead prioritize the smaller liberal arts schools. For example, if I were you, I'd apply to all 11 NESCAC's (except maybe Hamilton or CC). You'll likely get in to at least 2 or 3 of them.

 

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