<p>Hey all,
I got 9.8/10 in my 10th standard board exams. I was offered to take science but I choose commerce purely based on interest. So far , everything has gone well and I am in the top 5% in my class. I think I have decent ec’s. However , one of my friends told me that not many people in commerce stream make it really to the big universities. I argued that us universities don’t differentiate streams but he told me that his interviewer was glad he took the most rigorous coursework in his school (ie science with biology) and considered commerce more to be a relaxing stream.
Is this really true?</p>
<p>I really want to do econ in us/singapore/uk but will the choice of taking commerce reduce my chances?</p>
<p>Hope you can clarify my doubts.
Thanks</p>
<p>P.S: I would really like people in india cc who have taken commerce in 11th to reply if possible.</p>
<p>@adi2915 , thanks for link… However , I would like to point out that most of the ivy league (including harvard) doesn’t offer an undergrad business degree . Most of the degrees if not all are engineering/science based. Therefore , it doesn’t make sense to take commerce/business as a high school subject to pursue engineering/natural sciences. Hence the recommendation is made on this basis.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I looking to pursue a finance/econ major and taking commerce in high school will help for the same.
thanks anyway…</p>
<p>I am currently in 11th and after doing alot of research in 10th about us universities I have figured that if you want to do eco major in ivy like Harvard it is preferable that you take PCM with eco in India…
The accept rate with plp taking commerce and going to ivy is very less say about 0.1%…</p>
<p>But you could be in the 0.1% so wish you luck! :)</p>
<p>Colleges know the education system here in India. Adcoms know what they are talking about. You won’t be penalized for studying in India, I am sure not everyone takes PCM here. Commerce is not that easy as your post says Darth (Even though I am a Sciencey most of my friends have taken up commerce in 11th ). As far as your friend is concerned, Yes, PCMB is very hard to manage, especially with the JEE prep. Relax.
Anyway, if you have any colleges specific questions, just email the admission offices( they are very helpful ).
Just focus on your SATs for now and maintaining a high GPA and you should get into some good schools…:)</p>
<p>@mrinal2207 Thanks for advice… I never said commerce was easy,anything becomes easy once you put interest in it… I better fit in commerce than in science.
ps: I am not one of the guys who got into science and then shifted out to commerce because science was tough…really wanted to take commerce from the begining @cyrstal31 thanks and good luck to you too…</p>
I know, I know. You have the passion. the drive. Show it through your essays;interview. Show the Adcoms that you really really love Commerce, Or Eco. for that matter. Just do your best. I am sure you will do good in the decisions process…
It is a common quote on CC, “Hope for the best and prepare for the worst”. :)</p>
<p>It’s called a holistic process for good reason. Guess what? I had a 10.0 CGPA and I am a humanities student in that case they must think I am a MAJOR slacker… and I will be applying to American Colleges next year, even to the likes of Yale. If they won’t take me for who I am then TOO Damn Bad. Only thing is Financial Aid, all schools ain’t need blind. What I find even more ludicrous is that you doubt yourself! And I agree with compact, use it to your advantage.You are as good an applicant as any other.</p>
<p>It’s plainly and simply stupid to pick high-school classes based on the requirements of “big” colleges that might not even take you. And by the way, no one cares what the interviewers say. The interviewers have close to “0” effect on your chances of admission. I have a theory that they’re mostly there to check if you’re a sane and stable person or not.</p>
<p>And anyway, the top colleges in America (not just Ivies) say that they want to see that you have taken the most rigorous courseload your school has to offer. I don’t know if they know how lax Indian schools are with humanities/“commerce” (is that even a stream in the curriculum?) (most Indian schools ARE quite lax by global standards).</p>
<p>As for the UK, it’s mostly A-Levels or APs. Most universities say that they accept CBSE marks, but there’s usually a catch (for LSE, for example, I think you have to travel to the UK and take another exam without being guaranteed an offer). Taking the commerce stream, however, should not disadvantage you in advance if applying to the UK.</p>
<p>As for Singapore, I really have no experience. I looked at an NUS application form though, and they regularly accept the CBSE curriculum. However, they too, are looking for the most rigorous courseloads (all the way upto even JEE ranks–if you’re inclined in that direction). Take this information as you will.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, as I said, it’s kinda dumb to choose classes based on what so and so university is going to say, but that’s my answer to your direct question. Cheerio.</p>
<p>@PriK27 never said anything to that effect. never said that science was the only “stream”. However, it is beyond a doubt that the Indian education system lags in terms of everything else other than science. There are CBSE students out there, who ask on College Confidential, “Hey, so-and-so, how should I start my college essay? Is it okay to start with a quote, like they always tell us to for CBSE?” What sort of a question is that? If you have to be told by everyone else that you CAN write an essay without starting with a quote, I really wonder what they taught you in language classes. In addition, I have seen Indian students from CBSE boards who came to my American high school in Japan for a year or two. They were not prepared to devote the amount of time to the social sciences as we do here, and as a result, actually did FAIL a few semesters. So, yes, I do think that Indian non-technical courses are relatively easy compared to the American syllabus. Clearly, I’m not the only one who thinks that way. That doesn’t mean the OP shouldn’t pursue commerence. It’s just that commerce is not the most rigorous stream, hands down.</p>
<p>@dasadhikarik, The essay thing is pathetic, but those are just some students. It’s sad you have such a poor impression of cbse students. But I guess your experience warrants that. I am in my 8th school right now, so believe me when I say it varies from place to place. It is different at the +2 level. You HAVE to be devoted to do well. The course is rigorous, most teachers are dedicated. You have to be at the right place. Science might be more rigorous, but over here it’s either this or that. No middle ground. You can’t study the sciences and the social sciences together. The only common subject in all 3 streams is maths and econ. I am sure colleges are aware of this restriction.</p>
<p>^^ I agree. A) Colleges will not expect Indians to compromise their interests or career plans just to get in. I think they would recognise the restrictive nature of our system, and would want students who excel in whichever stream they choose.
B) I am also an Arts student by choice, and I got A1 in 10th, too. ( Hi5, Prik27 ). Though the prevailing mindset is such that students tend to dismiss subjects like social sciences, I can assure you, the course material is in NO way easy, at least in CBSE. I think the only added difficulty for Science students is managing their time to accommodate grueling preparation and coaching for the comp exams.</p>
<p>@IdleDevil, thanks so much. My point exactly! What you choose to do in these 2 years will impact your lives longer than the 4 years you spend in college. The Arts have been underestimated for far too long. And those who do choose to study these subjects no that its not, by any means, easy. Those who review your apps know how it works in your country. Btw, IdleDevil, which colleges do you plan on applying to? Intended major?</p>
most of my friends have taken up commerce in 11th ). As far as your friend is concerned, Yes, PCMB is very hard to manage, especially with the JEE prep. Relax.
I better fit in commerce than in science.
). Though the prevailing mindset is such that students tend to dismiss subjects like social sciences, I can assure you, the course material is in NO way easy, at least in CBSE. I think the only added difficulty for Science students is managing their time to accommodate grueling preparation and coaching for the comp exams.</p>