What to major in

So since I was about 11 I have had a very strong interest in both economics and mathematics. I was just recently admitted into MIT and need help deciding what to major in for IB and HF. Right now I am thinking about a double major in econ and management science.
My plan, as of now, is to double major, work in sales at a big bank for a year then transfer to the IB division for two, earn a CFA and MBA, work at a HF for about two years then start my own hopefully.

First question: How long would this double major take to complete? By the way I already took everything up to multi-variable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations in high school.

Second question: Would this be a good double major for my plan?

5 Comments
 

Double in econ and math. I'm doing that at a school similar to MIT and it's a good experience. I have gotten plenty of options in everything from research / government to finance. With the quantitative skills and the MIT pedigree you will not be hurting.

But seriously do whatever you think you will like. Econ / Math and Econ / CS are good choices.

Also, my double is taking me 4 years. I could probably finish in 3/3.5 but it would take a lot of effort. I'm not sure about MIT's requirements though but it should be able to be done, especially as you have already finished LA / Multi.

 

^^^ Listen to this guy. I would also suggest some form of Engineering. Do what you like. I wouldn't go near management science...

I'll do what I can to help ya'll. But, the game's out there, and it's play or get played.
 
Best Response

I was going to double in econ and math but management science seemed better than math because it is still highly quantitative but focuses on things such as modeling I do not know why they put the word 'management' in it although I kind of see why. Here is an excerpt of the description of the course: Undergraduate Programs SB in Management Science Unlike undergraduate programs in business or management at other universities, our management science curriculum has an analytical and quantitative focus. The curriculum provides extensive instruction in the disciplines of optimization, mathematical modeling, and probabilistic and statistical analysis. We also offer classes in subject areas you would expect to find in a more traditional management program, such as economics, accounting, communication, and managerial psychology. Our majors take some graduate-level Sloan subjects alongside MBA and other graduate students. The management science undergraduate curriculum provides training in the skills needed to solve complex problems that occur in the management of marketing, operations, finance, and technology and innovation. Sloan undergraduates learn a combination of technical and managerial skills: decision analysis, problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills, mathematical analysis and modeling, teamwork and cohort building, negotiation, and computer programming.

 

this is unrelated but something good to think about - MIT doesn't have a huge alumni network on the street, it's obviously substantial but a ways off from penn, harvard, yale, etc. while you can certainly get into S&T/IBD at a top bank from MIT, attending one of the other top programs will also give you opps for top PE/HF immediately after graduating. only mentioning this because i'm assuming you are a top candidate given that you got into MIT early, so if you apply to the others i'm sure youll have more than a few options

 

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