UT Austin Economics any good?

Hi everyone, so I applied for McCombs transfer but didn't get in, and instead got economics. I'm wondering if its plausible to get employed with an econ degree. I applied as a finance major on premed track and was planning to continue that, but since I didn't get McCombs I think it'll be much too difficult to balance premed classes and getting recruited as an econ major with no access to McCombs resources. If I can't do anything with an econ, thinking about just going all in on pre-med. Any thoughts/advice on the matter? Can any econ majors speak on their successes or failures and how difficult it is?

5 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and advice regarding your situation:

  1. Employment with an Economics Degree:

    • Feasibility: It is definitely plausible to get employed with an economics degree. Many firms value the analytical and quantitative skills that economics majors bring to the table.
    • Success Stories: There are numerous examples of individuals with economics degrees who have successfully transitioned into various fields, including consulting, finance, and even private equity, although the latter might be more challenging without additional qualifications or experience.
  2. Balancing Pre-Med and Economics:

    • Difficulty: Balancing pre-med classes with an economics major can be challenging, especially if you are aiming for high grades in both to remain competitive for graduate school or employment.
    • Strategic Choice: If you are passionate about pre-med and believe it aligns more with your long-term goals, it might be worth considering focusing solely on that path. However, if you have a strong interest in economics and believe you can manage both, it could provide a versatile skill set.
  3. Access to Resources:

    • McCombs Resources: Not having access to McCombs resources might seem like a setback, but there are other ways to gain valuable experience and skills. Internships, research opportunities, and networking can all play significant roles in your career development.
    • Networking and Internships: Engaging in internships and building a strong network can mitigate the lack of direct access to McCombs resources. Demonstrating genuine interest and gaining relevant experience can make a significant difference.
  4. Advice from WSO Threads:

    • Demonstrate Interest: Firms want candidates who are genuinely interested in their field. If you choose to pursue economics, make sure to demonstrate your interest and understanding of what economic consulting or related fields entail.
    • Mitigating Weaknesses: A weak GPA can be mitigated with good research experience and being seen as a good fit for the company culture. Focus on building a strong profile through internships and relevant coursework.

In summary, while not getting into McCombs might feel like a setback, an economics degree can still open many doors if you strategically build your profile and gain relevant experience. Balancing pre-med and economics is challenging but possible if you are committed to both paths. Consider your long-term goals and interests when making your decision.

Sources: Economic Consulting Q&A - Past experience at major firms, Need Help - College student with some major problems, Economic Consulting Q&A - Past experience at major firms, University of Chicago Economics Major, Georgetown Econ (College) vs Georgetown Finance (MSB)

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

You can internal transfer after your freshman year, and from econ itself it’s possible just harder, but if you network and join the orgs early on ys be fine. What are your other alternatives?

 
Most Helpful

FWIW - I had a buddy who did Pre-Med and Finance and told me his med-school interviews were drastically different than his Pre-Med only peers. Particularly in the sense interviewers wanted to talk about Finance/Markets as it was a change of pace for them (the interviewers) vs. being like every other copy & paste Pre-Med student. + He got into Med school which is nice.

Would imagine you might find yourself in a similar scenario with a unique background (Economics vs. just Pre-Med) but of course this is just one data point so do what you will with it.

 

In aut a quod animi nulla magnam. Ex quibusdam praesentium earum. Et tempore aliquid nisi in vero eaque. Alias dolorem numquam qui facere neque fugit. Dolor accusamus autem ea facilis pariatur ab qui culpa.

Saepe placeat molestiae itaque nesciunt odit. Laudantium laborum incidunt sequi aliquam. Dolor exercitationem ut veritatis consequatur minus. Ut autem libero id eum.

Modi hic officia ullam maxime eum quos magni sint. Vero sunt nobis molestiae sed asperiores. Voluptas et ut et nisi et.

Dolorem officia ut odit. Quas est animi itaque cupiditate dolor voluptas quaerat.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”