general college questions

In an earlier post I asked what major I should choose to give myself the best chance at getting onto Wall Street (I haven't decided on what specific area I'd like to work in, so I'd love to keep as many doors open as possible). The general consensus was something hard, with math suggested frequently. After second semester, and one awful professor, it seems that math might not be my preferred route (I withdrew from the class and scheduled it with a different teacher in the fall). Instead I picked econ, with the possibility of double majoring, minoring, or a combination of both. Is that a worthwhile path? If so, would a business degree look good (from UNC’s kenan-flagler)? One of the other frequently mentioned suggestions was to transfer to a target. Assuming that my schedule is challenging, how hard would it be to transfer into one with a 3.69 from UNC? Also, I play D1 rugby and study Chinese, if that makes any difference. Thanks in advance for all the help.

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Best Response

Don't discount your chances from UNC. I have many friends that went to Kenan-Flagler for undergrad, here's a list of firms they work at now: Morgan Stanley, Harris Williams, Oppenheimer, Jeffries, Wells Fargo, Bank of America...to name a few.

Econ will be fine, but business would be preferable if you can apply and get into Kenan-Flagler.

- Capt K - "Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, bait the hook with prestige." - Paul Graham
 

why not do finance and if interested in possibly trading or are really unsure and want to leave open all possible doors double major in fin and engineering, math, or CS. Dude your fine at UNC I go to a tiny west coast private school networked my way into a decent MM SA and am heading out to NY at the end of summer to network meet with other alums I have networked with at top BB's and below. If your a personable person, solid enough grades (mine were subpar, but I did everything else right(, good EC's and experience you will be fine, it just depends how hard you want to work on finding the contacts, getting them on the phone, then being likeable/pitching yourself.

 

I would major in finance. Banks do a good job of training SA and FT analyst classes, but you will be ahead of the curve if you take business. I know its difficult to believe, but a lot of the target schools do not have business classes (only econ) so when their students start working they have not idea about simple business concepts like the big three accounting statements or what all the products are. Majoring in finance could give you that extra edge in the beginning of SA &FT and during the interview process.

In terms of transferring--You might as well give it a shot. Apply to Duke, and then some schools that are closer to NYC.

"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
 

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