I'm a sophomore at a target and am currently a declared Economics major. But I've been taking math classes here lately, and it has rejuvenated my passion for mathematics. I'm thinking about picking up a double major in Math, but the math program here is very rigorous, and I'm not a straight A student by any means (current gpa is a 3.3)
i would love to take up this double major, as I really enjoy the math classes im taking, plus i would feel satisfied in getting the most out of my college academic experience as opposed to coasting by doing the minimum. but would i be better off just taking the easy route and getting a higher GPA? keep in mind my career goal is corpfin IBD, and my leadership experience on campus and work experience is quite strong (if that matters at all)
thanks!
don't you just get a minor? If your goal is IBD, you are going to need a competitive GPA. 3.3 with strong leadership and work experience is pretty competitive from a target. If you are interested in math, i'd go with it. But, I wouldn't it trade it down for a much lower GPA (i.e. if your GPA will fall to a 3.0, I wouldn't do it).
Math is of absolutely no help in CorpFin IBD, but it does make you look smart. Consider for IBD Corpfin though: They might take the regular finance/accounting/econ major with a slightly higher gpa over you. They well definitely take the [whatever major] with more leadership or internship experience over you.
Just for fun, I would equate a second (math) major with a 0.1 increase in adjusted GPA for IBD CorpFin, and a 0.2 increase in adjusted GPA for Capital Markets/S&T. If your math major won't drop your gpa by more than 10 basis points, and you enjoy it, and it won't derail from leadership activities, then I would consider it.
If you really enjoy math, you're probably too brainy for IBD and would not like it, but that's just one man's opinion.
Anyway, if I were you I would not get a math major. Get some impressive extracurriculars on your resume, like the guy above said. Or invest that time into your econ classes (which are probably not that difficult unless you're at MIT or Chicago or something) to get your econ GPA even higher.
im surprised at how much importance you guys assign to extracurriculars/leadership. actually this is by far my strongest point, so im not concerned about anything taking away from that.
im already minoring in political science just because i dont want to be a one-dimensional college student and would like something else besides quantitative reasoning in my academic repertoire.
ill continue with the math classes and see how they go. currently im getting a better grade in my advanced probability class than in my intermediate microeconomics class, but youre right in that my econ classes are probably easier than math classes overall.
thanks a lot for the advice
im surprised at how much importance you guys assign to extracurriculars/leadership. actually this is by far my strongest point, so im not concerned about anything taking away from that.
im already minoring in political science just because i dont want to be a one-dimensional college student and would like something else besides quantitative reasoning in my academic repertoire.
ill continue with the math classes and see how they go. currently im getting a better grade in my advanced probability class than in my intermediate microeconomics class, but youre right in that my econ classes are probably easier than math classes overall.
thanks a lot for the advice
Economics + Maths Duo - any chances to get a job in finance? (Originally Posted: 03/12/2012)
I hope this is the right section for opening the thread.
So I'm now finishing my high school degree in Finland and thinking over my future studies. Have been interested in finance since my teens. Have been trading actively US and Euro equity and options markets for several years with my own money. Going to have a career in finance, hopefully in a decent hedge fund or in a large IB in London/NY/HK
Basically I've got two plans about my future studies:
1) Getting a BSc. from University of Helsinki (ranked 89th by QS World University Ranking) majoring in Econ, minoring in Maths and Stats.
2) Getting a BSc. from Aalto University (ranked +200th) majoring in Finance, minoring in Econ and Accounting.
Going to get an MBA afterwards.
If you were recruiting, which of the options would you prefer? I've got a feeling that there are way too many Finance majors from poor schools (in which unfortunately Aalto belongs to) and not that much quant people with higher grade Math skills. Is this right? Thanks in advance.
E: If you see the unis I'm getting into way too poor for the WS and London folks be outspoken. But frankly I have no chances to get into a top UK/US school because they require just way too much from us the foreigners.
blow that ranking away then ask current students/alumni from those schools for recruiting info, also check their career site and ask career adviser for lists of companies that are actively recruiting on campus/posting jobs
then decide
Don't forget about the networking those schools will afford you. Assuming you have an acceptance at both, call the career offices and inquire about alumni databases, employer connections for internships, contacts in your desired industries in your desired locations, etc. Also, college is a special time and you should factor the enjoyment you anticipate you will receive at each place into your decision.
Decent* not descent
is "maths" a word? had a debate with a friend about this...
usually short for mathematics....
So, let's get this up. No one actually answered my main question: do hedges and IBs prefer an econ+math degree to a fin+econ degree? Or does it really matter that much as the truth to the matter is that education is only a part of the whole résumé.
it won't matter to HF's and IB's. Depending on the position you want a math degree might even be better. But the main deciding factor is which combination do you think will land you a higher GPA? That's what really counts unfortunately
Hi - Finishing double major in mathematics and economics (Originally Posted: 03/24/2014)
My name is Moe, I'm finishing a joint degree in mathematics & economics at the University of Southern California. I've just recently been turned onto a career in finance. I am eager to learn about the different types of career and how I can apply my degree to each.
Thank's for having me!
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