Influence of Double Major on MBA Admissions

Wanted to mention that this is my virgin WSO post, and that I'm hugely grateful to have found this community. I appreciate whatever feedback you guys can offer!

I'm a CU Boulder math/phys double major enrolling in classes for next semester and considering whether or not I should drop my physics major to solely pursue math. Longer term, I want to get an MBA from an elite university through a deferred enrollment or 2+2 program (thus the H/S/Y in the title).

My two options are essentially this: I can stick it out with the double major, graduate in 4 years, have a damn full course load every semester from here on out, and not be able to study abroad or really take any higher level non-major courses, or I could drop the physics major, just do pure math, graduate in 3.5 years where my last semester is spent abroad and my overall course load is much lighter (read: diverse and interesting), use the lightened course load to involve myself with even more genuinely meaningful ECs, and take the semester I have after graduating to refine my apps to HBS 2+2, Stanford GSB, and Yale Silver Scholars. My tone may make it seem pretty clear that the second option is more materially desirable, but I don't want it to come at the cost of not being admitted to one of those three programs due to a perceived lack of effort, intelligence, or what have you for not double majoring (esp. given Boulder's rep for physics).

If you made it here, I appreciate your time and would love to hear any advice you may have!
Thanks!

 

With the rest of your package, I definitely don't think it's worth doubling in Physics. There are a number of other majors you can pick up that won't be as restrictive to your schedule as Physics is (in terms of # of required classes, classes potentially not being offered every semester, only one section w/ specific timings, etc.). If you're really in love with the subject, you can always go the minor route.

Furthermore, it seems like you'll be finishing up your math degree early - will you have time (or interest) in taking any relevant grad level classes that could also help you out in your work in data science? That route could potentially solve any doubt (which I think you're overstating) admissions might have on your intelligence/effort.

Disclaimer: I'm a student, doubling in Physics.

 

Dude, with your background and opportunities available, forget about the MBA. Get some research experience and do a PhD at CMU/Berkeley/MIT/Stanford. Most of the 'managerial chops' you need to start a tech company can be learned from actually starting one (even at a small scale). Although If you want to create a company like Jet, Blue Apron, Handy, Birchbox (i.e. operations heavy) then sure an MBA could help, but for true high tech it's better to do research in an area you're interested in and turning that into a company.

And if you decide not to be an entrepreneur anymore, you'll have no problem finding an interesting and lucrative job since being a research scientist (esp. in AI/ML) is like the hottest shit in tech right now. If you publish some good papers you'll have every company from Two Sigma to Google knocking on your door.

 

Tough call. Don't think you could go wrong with any decision.

If you do an internship with a different company, then I would say work experience to add another line to your resume.

If you're getting an extra major just to get the extra major, just know it doesn't mean much in the long run. You're not going to get a bump in pay or anything. You're foregoing the opportunity cost of not making money for six months vs making money.

 

Hey,

Thanks for the reply. To clarify and add some more detail- I'm seriously considering starting my CFA next year (no decision made yet), and it'd be starting at the same company I'm interning at as a FT hire ~6 months early (before the official grad program starts) after having possibly done CFA L1, or starting at the usual time, and getting a double major and potentially CFA L1 and 2 by the end of it. My main question is basically whether an extra 6 months of work experience or a second major would be more beneficial when applying for MBA programs.

 

You sound a bit scattered - there is no LSAT + GMAT, you're going to burn out w/ studying. It's like doing the CFA and IB at the same time; very difficult to pull off, and most likely one or the other is going to suffer.

I think you should take a step back and assess your career choices and focus on just one thing; it's better to do one thing well than half-ass a few others.

Calm down.
 

With all due respect, I'm not sure that's true- this is when I'll have graduated and before I'm working, so will literally have as much time as I need to study for both (for a period of a few months). I will admit that I'm a bit scattered in terms of what I'm proposing to do, and will probably narrow my plans a bit by next year, but everything has its place in my schedule and can feasibly be done.

I am entering IB and want to work there for at least a few years (possibly become a career banker) but am considering switching to the buy-side a few years in, and possibly to something like distressed investing. As a result, I am considering the CFA (if it will help with the possible transition) and a JD if it will help with distressed investing. MBA because it will also help make the move etc. No idea if I will do a JD, but the LSAT is just in case. GMAT because I will definitely do an MBA.

When I say I'm considering all those things, it's because I've just started to research what will be worth it helpful/what won't. As I learn more, I will narrow it all down and very possibly will end up doing literally just the GMAT. CFA/GMAT/LSAT are all fair game/options I'm considering till I know more/better.

Thinking about doing CFA L1 June 2014 (so preparing for it during my university semester) and GMAT/LSAT in the months after I graduate. Maybe CFA L2 December if I'm not working yet. If I start work ~August/September next year, CFA L2 and maybe more will be ignored.

Any advice you have on what may be helpful for what and thus worthwhile getting is appreciated. For example- if I start in a traditional generalist IB role, not restructuring, will I need something like a JD to break into distressed investing on the buy-side later?

 

@YellowRanger

To add to this, I realized that you must've used M&I a lot - they plainly state that networking 200+ hours > 200+ hours studying for a certification, and this is undoubtedly true. You're going to forget 99% of the material you learn on the CFA, but the contacts and network you build will last a lifetime.

Banking is all about connections - the work is not difficult.

Calm down.
 

Honestly, a JD is probably the first thing that would be axed. I'm only speculating about one anyway- to basically echo what you're both saying about all of this, I do have a hard time finding a way to justify the cost/time associated with a JD, and am only considering sitting the LSAT if I can find a way to justify it/find out I need one for any particular reason.

As far as MBA's go, will the CFA help with b-school admissions? If so, will only the full CFA help or also 1 or 2 levels?

 

I think there are some discussions about the CFA's on B-School admissions on WSO. From what I've researched, the answer is yes and no. It depends on the AdCom and program: (UW and Cornell have specific security analyst programs)

I was asking the same question when I graduated, whether or not to do the CFA for B-School. I figured, hey I have time, I have nothing better to do. Couldn't hurt? Right?

What I realized is that I never wanted to go into AM or ER, based on that alone it wasn't worth it for me. Instead, I focused on extra curricular and getting promotions at work. (I guess my strategy is TBD)

 

@notthehospitalER

Not sure, so won't comment; you're better off asking someone who went through the B-school process.

Law and finance are two different animals - pick one field and stick with it, the crossover is generally frowned upon unless you're in like takeover defense @ GS.

Calm down.
 

@notthehospitalER

If you're definitely contemplating bschool, of course. Get it out of the way before you start work, that's what a lot of people do. Plus, there's apparently a dropoff in scores after you work for a certain # of years, but that's not exactly proven.

Calm down.
 

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