Colorado Technical University

Need professional advice: should i drop my math major to graduate early and take a business internship?

Hello all. I apologize in advance for the length of this, but I'd really appreciate some input on this idea that I keep tossing around. Currently, I am a 2nd semester junior double majoring in mathematics and business administration. In my business degree, I am specializing in accounting and finance. When I graduate, I will be able to take the CPA test immediately, as I will have more than 150 hours and all required accounting coursework. Originally, I was going to take 4 math classes next semester (I know, I was crazy), and would be able to graduate a semester early with both degrees. However, one professor wouldn't let me into Calc-based probability, and since I go to a tiny university, I'll have to wait a whole year to take it. The reason I wasn't let in was because I dropped Calculus III last semester, which is now a prerequisite (instead of a concurrent course, like I was told). At this level, I'm not really enjoying my math courses as much. In Abstract Algebra I, I ended up with my first C ever because, frankly, I just did not care about the material at all. My schedule is so spread out now that I'll only have a max of 13 hours a semester since I've almost completed my business degree and I only need 6 more classes for my math degree. I think I should be able to pull B's in my remaining math courses and A's in my business ones. However, I can drop my math major down to a minor and graduate a semester early like I'd originally planned to. In addition, if I drop my math classes, I'll be able to pick up an area of emphasis in marketing. Here are some more considerations to this now very-long post: (1) I was originally intending to get the math degree as a backup in case I wanted to pursue and actuarial career. However, I don't think I have a desire to do this since I don't look forward to the prospect of my next 10 years being dominated by tests. (2) My ultimate post-graduation plans are to get a Masters of Finance and work in the area of asset management, particular in the areas of fundamental, value, or special situations (distressed debt, etc.) investing. For this career path, I really don't need what higher mathematics offers, and I plan to avoid master's programs that focus on financial engineering. (3) I'm worried that I will look intellectually weak to grad schools by dropping my math major. I come from a tiny school in WV, so I think it'll be hard for me to get into the University of Florida, my top choice right now for finance. However, I think that, by dropping my math major, I'll be able to better focus on my GMAT (I got a 1500 on the SAT, so hopefully I can replay this) and will have at least 9 months of full-time work experience under my belt, in addition to the internship at a regional accounting firm (100+ people) that I'll get this summer. (4) As a plus for graduate school, I am in the McNair Scholar's Program at my school. However, I am doing my research project with a mathematics professor, which will look odd if I just have a math minor. Why did I pick this person? Like I said, the school I go to is tiny and the finance professor is rarely there and has little practical knowledge, which is what I like. Thanks for trudging through this mess!

Public Comments

1. Drop The math, finish the one degree when you wind up with your Masters that is all anyone is really going to notice. If it bothers you come back after the Masters and finish the second degree. The GMAT is more important than 2 degrees.
2. If you don't enjoy the math that you're going to have to take and you don't plan on using the math degree in the future, I don't see any reason for you to stick around and get the degree. Taking the minor in mathematics and adding the emphasis in marketing seems like it would be more useful in the future, especially if you can graduate a semester early. Being able to get more work experience is probably more valuable at this point (unless you end up disliking it more than your math coursework). Regarding looking "intellectually weak" to grad schools - Will they know that you dropped your math major? If so, you can easily justify it by saying that you were more interested in getting the practical experience by taking the internship and learning more about marketing. Doing your research project with a math professor can also be easily justified; as you said, your finance professor is rarely around. If anything, I think it will show that you are in fact intellectually strong in math. Despite what you see here, I would recommend getting opinions from people who know you and your situation better. Yahoo! Answers can give you some food for thought, but I wouldn't blindly trust it for a decision as big as yours. Do what will make you happy (or has the greatest chances of doing so).