Calling all business majors!

[BlamoHammer]

I am getting ready to transfer into a four year school in hopes of persuing a career in the world of finance. I have narrowed down my choices to two schools - UC Berkeley majoring in BusAd or Santa Clara University majoring in Finance.

Now there is no need to proclaim the prestige of a UC Berkeley education, having 7 members of my family as alumni has hammered that into mny head. My question more lies in the difference in major. Will not having a BA specialized in Finance such as the one at Santa Clara limit me at all?

I would imagine that it is a bit more focused on that particular arena and may do better in preparing me for life after school. Of course it may not make a lick of difference. I was hoping that some of the experts here may be able to lend their thoughts and opinions on the matter.

Thanks to all who contribute.

*Edit/Update*

Ok, heres a completely different dilemma realted to this decision. The only classes I have left to take are my calculus courses. There are two paths I can take - Math 182/183 which is Calculus for Management, Life Science, and Social Science or Math 191/192/193 Analytic Geometry and Calculus.

Taking the Social Science path would save me one class worth of work and it seems like the class is designed for business majors and the like. Think I would be selling myself short by taking the first set of courses?

 

[RagingBITCH]

If you know you want to do finance, then do it in finance. Not sure how it's structured at those particular universities, but in general, if you get your BS in BA, you'll take general courses (about 1-3) over each particular subject - finance, marketing, etc etc, which is not beneficial to you at all if you know you want to do finances. A finance degree will get you more focused classes about that. You might even think of doing a double major in accounting as well (not necessarily to get your CPA, which I think requires a Masters now) but it'd look great if you had both backgrounds. (Course, this is all my opinion and doesn't necessarily reflect what it takes to be in the world of finance right now)

 

[anonmouseuser]

IMO, having a focus makes a big difference. I see it everyday between marketing/managment majors and finance/accouting majors. I am a finance major and it is worth going the extra mile.

 

[bcterps]

Why not UC Berkeley with a major in Finance?

 

[Kenazo]

you should ask CPA here on the forums.

 

[BlamoHammer]

Originally posted by: benchiu
Why not UC Berkeley with a major in Finance?

It's not offered. UC's are research schools and you usually will not find majors such as Finance, Accounting, etc.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: BlamoHammer

Originally posted by: benchiu
Why not UC Berkeley with a major in Finance?

It's not offered. UC's are research schools and you usually will not find majors such as Finance, Accounting, etc.

Do they have concentrations in Finance?

 

[bcterps]

Originally posted by: BlamoHammer

Originally posted by: benchiu
Why not UC Berkeley with a major in Finance?

It's not offered. UC's are research schools and you usually will not find majors such as Finance, Accounting, etc.

If that's the case, I'd go with UC over Santa Clara, the difference in reputation is worth it. Take more Finance courses and list on your resume that you have a degree in Business Adminstration with a concentration in Finance.

 

[BlamoHammer]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: BlamoHammer

Originally posted by: benchiu
Why not UC Berkeley with a major in Finance?

It's not offered. UC's are research schools and you usually will not find majors such as Finance, Accounting, etc.

Do they have concentrations in Finance?

Looking at the offered courses, there is only 4 total undergraduate Finance courses offered. They do have a 1 year Masters of Financial Engineering program that you can co,mplete after you get your BA though. Not sure how hot I would be on spending another year in school, not to mention taking the risk I wouldn't get in to the program. I heard Berkeley can get competitive at times...

 

[BlamoHammer]

Originally posted by: benchiu

Originally posted by: BlamoHammer

Originally posted by: benchiu
Why not UC Berkeley with a major in Finance?

It's not offered. UC's are research schools and you usually will not find majors such as Finance, Accounting, etc.

If that's the case, I'd go with UC over Santa Clara, the difference in reputation is worth it. Take more Finance courses and list on your resume that you have a degree in Business Adminstration with a concentration in Finance.

Does the reputation difference matter that much? Santa Clara is no slouch...albeit not with the instant recognition of Cal

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: BlamoHammer

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: BlamoHammer

Originally posted by: benchiu
Why not UC Berkeley with a major in Finance?

It's not offered. UC's are research schools and you usually will not find majors such as Finance, Accounting, etc.

Do they have concentrations in Finance?

Looking at the offered courses, there is only 4 total undergraduate Finance courses offered. They do have a 1 year Masters of Financial Engineering program that you can co,mplete after you get your BA though. Not sure how hot I would be on spending another year in school, not to mention taking the risk I wouldn't get in to the program. I heard Berkeley can get competitive at times...

As long as you do well in your undergrad you shouldn't have a problem. Graduate schools usually tend to accept undergrads from the same school with open arms. Seriously though - 1 year for a Masters (accelerated?) program is fantastic.

 

[BlamoHammer]

Ok, heres a completely different dilemma realted to this decision. The only classes I have left to take are my calculus courses. There are two paths I can take - Math 182/183 which is Calculus for Management, Life Science, and Social Science or Math 191/192/193 Analytic Geometry and Calculus.

Taking the Social Science path would save me one class worth of work and it seems like the class is designed for business majors and the like. Think I would be selling myself short by taking the first set of courses?

 

[RagingBITCH]

You're going to be taking more math classes in the future for finance and accounting, but none of it will have relevance to the Calculus/Geometry/Algebra type math. Take whatever you want as it really makes no difference.

 

[BlamoHammer]

bump for any fresh opinions...