Transfer student: "Major" indecision (pun intended)

College Majors Business Majors
1

<p>To start, I just want to warn you this may be rather lengthy. I value the advice and intellect of the members of this site very much which is why I’ve decided to make a post and the seek some advice. If you intend to insult me, question my life choices, or anything of that nature here are some suggestions: Push the back button, ALT-F4, or anything that will remove you from this web page and save of us the time. I have a feeling this post will be like having a steak dinner in front of the family dog, or in this case the “■■■■■■”. However, if you do decide to read on (You brave soul!) I thank and appreciate you!</p>

<p>A general background:</p>

<p>In highschool I never really cared about school and never did homework, avoiding the cliche I just “got by”. I always knew I was capable because I scored several perfect scores on some state exams throughout my life and was in the paper once for it. I also got a 29 on my ACT for all that’s worth (no preparation, merely did it to satisfy requirements and to validate the thoughts of my parents on my future). Obviously I wasn’t going to make it into a quality university due to lack or money and grades (2.9) I took off a semester after highschool and worked a few jobs and devoted some meaningless time to the opposite sex. I got myself in check, somewhat, and went to the local community college and got a 3.0. I thought I had made some changes in lazy and/or partying habits but I didn’t and was still unmotivated in my heart of hearts. I didn’t take any summer classes. Now, this past Fall, or “Last semester” as some of you may want to call it. I did horrible and my work ethic was much like my high school days. Managing to go to class on average once every two or three weeks I got all C’s and one F in my physical science lab. There are many personal reasons to this but I won’t divulge those. This current semester I’m making straight A’s and I’m actually enjoying this new concept known as “studying”. I’m actually applying the intelligence I’ve inherited from my parents into success in my classes.</p>

<p>Now this takes us to today. My dilemma, the entire core of this monologue, is my major I have to declare this summer for my B.S. I plan on attending University of Florida and luckily the business school there has an auto acceptance if you meet a 3.0 GPA and 3.5 preprofessional! I’ve narrowed it down to two choices: Marketing and Economics. Marketing due to the nature of the creative aspect which I would consider my strong point. I feel this choice would lead me into a more defined job role upon graduation and would most likely end my academic career. The other thought swirling in my head lately has been to major in Economics and then possibly pursue a Law Degree (JD). I know it’s possible to do Marketing and do LSAT’s and go from there but I would rather pick one and let the Economics courses prepare me for the LSAT’s with rigorous practice with analytical concepts. </p>

<p>This is where you guys come in. I’m receptive to any feedback, whether it be from the majors in each category or just general analysis of the job market and salaries. I think the Marketing degree would be the safe choice and more “vocational” than the Economics major (granted it is a BSBA) but I would rather not do sales. I’ve done them for the past year or two and excelled at it but I don’t feel it’s my pursuit of happiness. The Economics degree excites me from the classes I would be taking such as Game theory. Paired with my prospect of going to law school.</p>

<p>Once again, I applaud you for taking the time to read this and thank you in advance for any advice you will give me!</p>

2

<p>If you dislike sales, I would steer way far away from marketing. Many go into marketing thinking they will be working for advertising firms and market research agencies but end up in sales. Marketing is interesting indeed; but, if you don’t enter a top-tier marketing program, you are largely out of luck unless you already have connections in the field.</p>

<p>Economics, on the other hand, would be much more beneficial. With an economics degree, you have a good chance of filling non-technical positions. The public sector tends to hire economics degrees out of college, and most who go post-grad usually go to law school as you mentioned.</p>

3

<p>It would be University of Florida which consistently ranks around 50 give or take. So I’m not sure if that warrants more of a marketing research position instead of a glorified salesman. Hence why I’m learning more towards the BSBA in economics.</p>

4

<p>Re-read your own post and you will see that you have already pretty much decided: Economics. If it seems like that is the major that will keep your interest, that motivates you to study, then that sounds perfect. Good luck to you, seems like you have turned things around for yourself, congratulations. Keep it up.</p>

5

<p>Undoubtedly economics. It is much more versatile and useful as an undergrad degree and will also teach you to become a much better decision maker and problem solver.</p>

6

<p>Top 50 is not high enough - the top business schools that can even give marketing majors a chance are rank 15 or higher. Go with the Economics degree and try to take as many practical/analytical/quantitative courses as you can to try to gear it as close as possible towards business instead of economic theory.</p>

7

<p>Honestly the OP sounds too smart for general business and I would steer her towards something more intellectual in nature. I can’t recommend law because of the job market, but pairing your econ major with a stats major will give you almost endless options for grad school.</p>