<p>I love economics and I’m planning to major in it but whenever I visit this section, it’s either finance or ibanking that are in discussion. So why Finance? What does the wonderful world of finance employ that economics doesn’t? What makes finance > econ.? Is the field more exciting? More job opportunities than those of econ.? More $$?</p>
<p>Also, the big question is is it harder to get into an undergrad. college with an intended major economics than let’s say finance?</p>
<p>finance = applied
econ = theoretical</p>
<p>studying finance will prepare you for many occupations (such as ibanking). econ will provide a strong educational background, but won’t generally be applicable in most occupations.</p>
<p>Finance= “Im looking to make some money”
Economics= “I am a scholar”</p>
<p>If economics is not applicable to any occupations, that would explain why Harvard and Yale Econ majors are recruited so heavily for IBanking jobs.
Finance is a waste of time unless youre at a top Business school.</p>
<p>What about accounting? where does it fit in?</p>
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<p>The banks dont recruit Harvard and Yale econ majors because they studied economics. They recruit them because they studied at Harvard and Yale. A history major at harvard has the same chances as an econ major at harvard. </p>
<p>At schools that don’t offer undergrad business programs, the banks will look at students from any major. However, if a school does have an undergrad business program, that is where the banks will recruit from.</p>
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<p>It’s not that applicable, that’s why Wharton grads have the edge compared to Harvard grads when it comes to recruiting.</p>
<p>and SeniorSC is right, they go there for the name, not the major. Why do you think so many Dartmouth history majors go into banking?</p>
<p>Obviously major should first depend on the school you go to, you go where ever you get in and what has the best recruiting. If you get into Harvard as your school with best recruiting then econ is fine. But if the best school you get into is Virgina you may as well major in Finance because it’ll give you a bit of an edge.</p>
<p>Wait, so say you study at NYU as a Mathematics Economics student SAAS, you wont have a good chance at a bulge bracket bank?
Because of all the Stern competition?</p>
<p>In my AP Economics book it says that Finance Majors get a more vocational training than Economics majors. That’s why up until recently majoring in business was pretty lame.</p>
<p>Wharton used to be the back door into Penn. 20 years ago, it was Penn’s school of Nursing today (an easy way in).</p>
<p>If you are planning on getting an MBA go for econ.</p>
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<p>Who the hell cares what Wharton was 20 years ago? </p>
<p>As for majoring in mathematical economics, if you want to go into trading or a hedge fund i’d say do that, but if you wanted to do traditional IB, M&A work, that sort of thing? Then mathematical economics is overkill.</p>
<p>Oh, whats the difference between trading and Ibanking? Because I know I would never do the banking, becuase it sounds like hell.</p>
<p>search the forum for trading, it’s talked about a lot here.</p>