antwerp

Firstly, I'd like to thank anyone who offers advice.

I know little of what I want to do or study. I don't wish to study the sciences, math or arts as I'm neither passionate nor talented in those disciplines. I want to be in a career/industry where I can comfortably make a lot of money (My family's poor.) I'm keen on entering the banking/finance/consultancy industry or something entrepreneurial subsequently.

I'm inclined towards a business or economics degree. Some contend that an undergraduate business degree is not useful and can be acquired later in one's career. Moreover, they argue that an Economics degree develops one's critical thinking and analytical skills and is looked upon more favorably by companies.

I'm stupid. All my life, I've worked harder than others and still get poorer grades. I'm sick of studying subjects which I'm neither interested about nor good in. I've never studied Economics nor Business subjects previously. But I know I'd prefer to study a subject that is directly applicable to my career as I've noticed I grasp subjects better when they are related to the "real-world" and less abstract. I suck at tests and exams but do better in projects. I've heard that Economics can involve a lot of math which is my Achilles' heel.

I understand that there will be lots of work in college and I'm willing to face that. However, I want to be in a school where it's not all about academics and competition for the best jobs. I want to try so many new things and meet new people in college. I don't wish to spend all my time studying.

I'm current looking to study Economics at Northwestern and Duke. For Berkeley and Michigan, I'm thinking of entering their respective business schools while I'm there. Lastly, I'm considering Cornell's Applied Economics and Management program. All look like solid choices.

I know it's difficult to make a comparison, but in your opinion, which would be a better fit for me?

Thank you.

Pizzagirl

I don't understand.
Are you already accepted to all these schools?
Or are you talking about where you'd like to apply for next year?

Because if it's the latter, it's no time to be prematurely deciding which of these is "the better fit" if you don't have acceptances in hand -- all of these are very difficult to get into.

Do you have the stats to support a reasonable run at these schools?
Are you in-state for either Michigan or Berkeley?
Are you going to need a considerable amount of financial aid?


Do you have a particular part of the country that you anticipate wanting to be in after college?

APOL

CC is a good place to ask questions, seek counsel and help define a realistic goal that works FOR YOU. College can be a platform to grasp the concept that the world is your oyster-what do YOU want to do.
From your post, it sounds like your family may not well versed in the college application process, and that your schools guidance counselors may not have the time nor inclination to help you. Is this true?

ddzai612

Besides, who told you maths is not needed? If u want to pursue your career in Banking and to make a lot of money?

arbiter213

If you're not good at math, Econimcs will crush you.

Sam Lee

If math isn't your thing, you may want to consider Learning and Organization Change Undergraduate :: Curriculum

antwerp

@ddzai612,

I'm sorry if you misinterpreted my post. I don't think I said mathematics was not required. I said I was not proficient in mathematics and wished to pursue a course that was less math-intensive because I am neither adept nor passionate in math. That is not to say however, that I wish to exclude math entirely from my course of study. I understand that it is a necessary component for many disciplines.a

To be honest, I have no clear idea what degree of proficiency in mathematics is required for one to work in the aforementioned field. I do believe it varies with your job in the company. For example, quants would definitely have to have a solid foundation of mathematics and quantitative skills than say, a private banker.

Again, I am grabbing at straws here because my knowledge of the industry is so superficial and shallow. I would appreciate if someone could shed more light on this issue.