BA/MA, or double major, or cum laude?

Which would look the best to have on my resume down the road: math + econ double major BA/MA econ (top 10 grad econ department) econ + math minor + cum laude

these are all my realistic options and I cant decide which would be most impressive. coursework would largely be similar for all of them so that is not really a concern

opinions?

11 Comments
 

Up to a point.

I'd say a 3.8 Math + Econ is definitely more impressive than a 3.9 just econ. Pretty much everyone knows that at the top schools Econ is a relatively easy major. Sure, it's much better than the grade-inflated English or Drama or [insert minority here] Studies majors, but it doesn't hold a candle to math, physics, biology, engineering, chemistry, computer science etc.

 

I would do Cum Laude in one major, then go some EC's and really excel outside of the classroom (no pun intended).

GPA is most important in regards to academics, but any academic achievements are moot if you don't have some serious out-of-class leadership/work experience.

 

what about outside of jobs? to the average person what sounds more impressive or will look best way down the road when degrees dont matter. I think I can get a job with all of those I just want to know which will best show my hard work/earn respect to friends/family. i am besting my ass and would like something to show for it

 
Best Response

If money isn't an issue, DONT work. There are very few, if any job opportunities you could have in college that would be real impressive when looking for a job after college. Instead, use that time to be a leader or manager of ECs at your school and look for internships that provide job skills that will be needed in your future career. I truly think working puts you at such a huge disadvantage when it comes to banking jobs after college. You have such stiff competition to begin with, many of whom don't work and will have stellar GPAs and lots of ECs. Even if you are extremely smart and have the ability to have a stellar GPA too, your perspective and level of motivation to study changes drastically after a long day of classes and working. Although working to put yourself through school is, and seems admirable, the truth of the matter is, unless you are looking at very small, intimate shops to work in, this will generally be overlooked when the recruiter/interviewer sees your 3.6 and the next person's 3.8 or 3.9.

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
 

Dude a job is as good as anything on a resume. I worked as an economics tutor and also as a research assistant - take on jobs that are both good personal experiences as well as income providers.

Most top 25 colleges have plenty of job opportunities that look good on a resume - working as a cashier or something might not be great, but working as a tutor for athletes or doing research at a business school looks great on a resume.

Personally, I think you should have one activity that is primarily social (a fun club, fraternity, something like that), a research/academic oriented activity (as a TA, research assistant, or tutor - something along those lines), and a wildcard position to set yourself apart (working at a student publication, student government, starting your own charitable organization).

There is no reason that an academically oriented activity shouldn't be paid.

 

Qui quasi rerum possimus. Qui autem eum architecto voluptas sed excepturi.

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