Anonymous wrote:Serious question (I am wondering this for my HS kid) - how do high school kids know they want to major in "business" if they have no exposure to parents in the field or prior summer internships? I know applying to undergrad business programs is super popular and competitive, but I'm just curious how kids know what studying business undergrad means and what a future job might entail, and whether they would enjoy working in banking regulation or finance, etc.

Many Harvard classmates did recruiting for Ibanking and consulting then got MBAs a few years later. Some learned Wall St is not for them. Is that different than "business"?
Sorry if I sound clueless. I'm in health care.

"Business" is a massively broad degree. You'll get a basis in accounting, finance, marketing, management, operations, ethics, etc. that will serve you well regardless of which industry you end up in -- including health care, which hires a LOT of managers!

Your assumption that business majors all end up as investment bankers is wrong. (Many of them might wish to be paid like investment bankers, but. . . . )

Serious question (I am wondering this for my HS kid) - how do high school kids know they want to major in "business" if they have no exposure to parents in the field or prior summer internships? I know applying to undergrad business programs is super popular and competitive, but I'm just curious how kids know what studying business undergrad means and what a future job might entail, and whether they would enjoy working in banking regulation or finance, etc.

Many Harvard classmates did recruiting for Ibanking and consulting then got MBAs a few years later. Some learned Wall St is not for them. Is that different than "business"?
Sorry if I sound clueless. I'm in health care.

I went to college undecided between liberal arts and business but I was pretty interested in getting an MBA all through high school.

Freshman year - Liberal Arts undecided w/ ability to transfer to business

Sophomore year - Psychology/Business dual major

Late sophomore year - decided Business BBA redundant with MBA so dropped it. Decided didn't want Psychology major after doing Research job.

Junior - Senior year - Econ major (daydreamed about History).

MBA from top school - matriculated after 7 years work experience

MBA core courses are very similar to BBA core courses. I wouldn't recommend doing them twice. I'm happy with my decision to graduate with an Econ. degree.

Econ is insanely popular because it is viewed as practical. I never wanted to go into Finance which is what people see as the "practical" aspect. Econ is the substitute for business at schools that don't have undergrad business.

Anonymous wrote:For W&M, you apply just for admission to the university. You can apply for admission to the business school starting sophomore or junior year. If you don't get admitted, you can reapply. Many move to Econ if they don't get into the business school.

Depending on the school and the reputation of its econ department, opting for econ instead of business can be reasonable.