BBA's are joke

The fact of the matter is that BBA's are generally smarter and they compete on a curve against each other. The median grade is a B- at most UG B-Schools. Plus, Stats and Operations classes can be hard.

I'm not even sure if LA classes have such curves.

Just focus on getting your shit together instead of trying to put someone else down, like a lot of people seem to enjoy doing on this site.

well said seanc

Just for the record, every econ class offered at my school is set at a B- median curve. Also, Economic Statistics is a requirement for the econ major. Also just to note, at my school especially in terms of competition, many brilliant foreign students choose not to get a BBA because the language barrier to too hard in terms of the Bus. Comm, marketing and management classes. They choose to get an econ degree, because all of the numbers and graphs are a universal language.

Also just to note, the Median Grade in my schools B school is a B+. It is a top 3 UG B school according to U.S. News. and top 5 according to Businessweek. Thoughts on that?

It may be a more difficult subject, but it's far less applicable to finance jobs. So, people who have the option (those who are not at traditional liberal arts schools that don't have finance/accounting majors) typically choose BBA degree in order to better prepare for finance careers.

So you agree that econ is potentially more difficult? In terms of being applicable, if you can do well in econ, if it is indeed harder, why can't finance firms asssume that you have the skills to learn (through training) the concepts needed and perhaps even be better at your job than a BBA would?

This comes straight from one of my VP's:

The laeger picture that econ teaches you is invaluable. Everyone can learn the basic techical skills and understanding of Financial statements. But if you are unable to see the bigger picture and think analytically, you will not go far. And that's exactly what an Econ degree does and a BBA doesn't

That's a good question. Clearly, bankers do consider people who major in Econ (or History, or Poli Sci) and do well to be equal to people who major in Finance, or they wouldn't hire from Harvard, Princeton, or any other school that doesn't offer a BBA. I think the key is that if your school does offer a BBA, but you choose to major in something else, when you're interviewing for banking jobs you'll need to have a great story. Because, the bankers will likely think that if you are committed to banking, you'll get a BBA. So, it's not that a BBA is better, it's just more relevant. People will have a leg up from the start, but that doesn't mean you can't catch up over time. I'd add one more thing: no one who gets hired at a BB is dumb. Everyone can lean the skills quickly. So, it's always going to be an advantage to already know some of the skills before training. That said, the best analyst I ever knew was an Econ major in college who had never touched Excel before he started his job. Within 2-months, he blew everyone else away and the group head basically demanded that this guy be staffed on all of his deals. Oh, and the notion that BBAs don't have a big picture attitude isn't necessarily true. One can get a BBA and still get the Econ and Strategy experience to give him the ability to read the macro-economic signs that are necessary for senior bankers.

Also, the technical skills you learn as a BBA will give you some advantage the first 3-4 month and then it will be all over

I think some people view people who choose to get BBAs (instead of econ, when they have a choice) as to be more interested in business. Granted, it makes undergrad business schools a bit more vocational, but that's the trade off you make.

Granted, upper level econs may well be more quant and difficult than business courses, but I would argue it builds a much different skill set than business courses do. My impression is that econ trains to think in a certain way that is much more structured and "in-the-box", if you will.

Business classes trains a person to look at things from the business perspective, which often involves both quantitative as well as qualitative analysis. Thus I feel BBA helps develop a more flexible and out-of-the-box thinking style. And definitely more group work and interaction in business courses.

My 2 cents.

They will make remarkable IBankers, in their home countries. The fact is that the Econ degree from my school carries more weight than any Asian Business degree, which is why they come here to get it as oppose to staying home. This has been said by U.S. News.

This has been said by US News? Omg, people need to stop placing so much weight on these random rankings.

Doesn't econ help build your analytical skill?

At Michigan, the reason there are more international students in econ than the BBA is that the BBA program only accepts about 3% internationally.

Also, when you say that international students are going into econ to avoid English/communication-type classes, just look at how many MBAs are international.

And keep in mind that a the traditional econ path is also a bit more academic, and though this is drawing on stereotypes a bit, a significant number of foreign students often opt for higher ed and research.

If you are a trader, I bet macroeconomics would help out a lot. Knowing about interest and exchange rates, Fed policy, business cycles, and inflation/GDP, etc. will set you above the BBAs for those positions. However, without much accounting or finance, it is hard to argue that an Econ degree is more relevant.

It's not like you don't take econ classes as part of a BBA degree. Most programs require at the least the intro micro/macro econs, and often a relevant upper-level econ course or two. So BBAs have at the very least some exposure to econ.

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the fact that all BBA programs include economics courses in their core curriculum. At a very minimum, all programs will atleast require into to macro and intro to micro. Many others will require more advanced econ courses (macroeconomic strategy, etc...). No one graduates from a reputable UG business school without fully understanding exchange rates, fed policy, inflation, and other macroeconomic issues.

I also know a number of BBA students (such as myself) who take elective classes in the econ department.

Many econ degrees also allow you to take business classes. For example when I graduate I will have taken most likely two acct classes and two finance classes. No bs marketing classes that just boost gpa. So, I will only be taking business classes relevant to IBanking. How will the recruiters know I've taken these classes? I would list on my resume, but I will probably be taking at least one or two of these classes 2nd semester senior year, when all the decisions will be made on jobs, so I may not be in them when I interview, but upon graduation I will have the skills from those classes. I just really want to land a summer analyst job, I'm not so much worried about senior year because I think I'll get a FT after my summer analyst gig, but i have to get that shot first.

actually econ tends to ppl who cannot cut it in the business school......

So your probably majoring in econ, if so, My schools econ program is probably just as vigorous as Stanfords.

Bottom line is, BBA and other ug business specific degrees better prepare you for banking than econ. If in fact econ majors were better at analytics than BBAs, this would be reflected in recruiting (i.e. doing better during interviews). However, seeing as how you've been having trouble with recruiting, then it's clear that the argument that econ majors are smarter than than bbas is not correct.

Btw, what is the point of this thread. If you are already getting an econ degree, why are you looking for an affirmation of its superiority. If it sucks, it sucks. If it's good, it's good. You don't have a choice, so who cares.

Almost every person going into banking or has gone into banking from my school did either a double in Fin/Econ or Fin and Econ minor. Is that option not available to those of you at other schools? Or are you guys just lazy and not willing to take the courses?

A friend who is only Econ had trouble with conveying his interest in Finance during his interviews due to the fact we do have a BBA program. Thats another reason to go the BBA route over just Econ.

Don't get me wrong, I see the logic in signalling interest through the BBA option.

However, I believe that those individuals who are GENUINELY AND INTENSELY interested in banking can send the "interested in banking" signal even after opting out of a BBA.

For example, I got a second credit card to cover my subscriptions to WSJ, The Economist, CNBC Plus and to finance a small library of banking-related literature (~50 books and ~$2500). When interviewers asked "What are you invested in right now?" I replied "I have a levered bet on myself." (landed a BB SA job)

Lol, levered bet on myself. Have to say, that's a good one.

Also, not to pry, as I know this isn't a requirement on this site, but where do you go Mr. White? If it's not a target school and/or top 25 in the rankings STFU.

I find that a bba is more applicable to ibanking but obviously not required if you look at HYPS which dont have undergrad bschools. I know a combination of bankers with both degrees that are successful.

On a side note...MandaA, looking at the rankings you sound like a Ross bba reject..why so hostile,there really is no need for that.

Btw, not to pry, but just how dumb are you?

you just got shitted on

Last time I checked, Wharton places better than Harvard to BB. Also, the last time I checked, top 3 group is better than no internship. Sorry dude, you're not even close.

btw, with rampant grade inflation at harvard, and you only have a mediocre gpa, what does that tell us about you

Wwhatever man......truce. Fighting on a blog is stupid, something potential Ibankers shouldn't do. Your right Wharton is a sick school, good luck at your FT

The moderators on this site regularly lock the threads that break down into "my school is better" fights.

I'm stuck filing my taxes on my computer right now, but you guys could probably find something more productive to do on a Saturday night than give each other sh*t.

Harvard? nice try

MandA Im a soph in college as well and use this forum for the same reasons as you. Im going to be an SA at a BB this summer and im a BBA and no i dont go to HYPS or wharton so what does that say to you?...Im sure alot of people on this forum know mds so that doesnt make you any more special plus any good business school focuses on developing teamwork. And if you think bschool students doing lots of work is anything different than being in the pen as analyst than you got another thing coming. Harvard is a great place, embrace your academic experience for whats best for you and not trash on whats best for others...

I think the grade inflation is the most ridiculous thing about going for a BBA. At such a large state school and with so many kids wanting an Econ degree, the curve is set low just to weed out even more students and keep class sizes manageable. Just to give you an example, I took 401 at Umich last semester and the average this year on the exams was a 47%. I asked the professor whether or no this shows that he's doing a good job and he just said that it gives them a perfect bell curve distribution. My point is, given this much competition and the difficulty of the material, even though Econ majors have lower GPAs, they are definitely underrated.

she got it because "she is a girl"?

All I can say is just "wow".

well you know that all girls can get into ANY biz school they want including Wharton if they just slap their name and put female on gender....you're the most pompous person i've seen so far on this forum...I know the truth but you may not know the truth...so please don't put you and me in the same sentence...I refuse to have any slight connections with you!