I can’t really answer this question because I don’t know the years for the different options. You almost always want to be in university for 4 years so you have more time to get internships, as the recruiting timeline moves up earlier each year. So you should pick the major / degree option that lets you stay in school the longest.

A dilemma in regard to university choices – and hoping you might be able to lend a hand.

I am headed to a semi target in North America, and am wondering what your thoughts are on an Honours in International Development.

I am entering on a BA, with little maths background: so as things stand, would be unable to do a regular Hon. Econ / Hon. Econ + Finance degree without enrolling for an extra year of school.

Do you think this is a sensible decision – or would you advise sticking it out for longer in return for one of these two degrees?

Accounting is better in most cases because it’s more relevant to what bankers actually do on the job. If it will cause your grades to be lower, finance is fine. But I can’t really say without knowing how much lower or what internships/other opportunities it would cost you.

Transferring schools these days mostly depends on when you do it (basically, don’t transfer later than the end of Year 1). If you’re going to start Cornell in Year 2, i.e., the year in which summer internship recruiting for the next year takes place, then yes, it’s worth it because you’ll have a significantly better chance of winning a summer internship.

If you’re at Cornell, your exact major matters less because they’ll assume you’re smart and capable, so I would pick Global Development and maybe do a minor in the other one or something else more technical to minimize the GPA impact.

I’m not sure what you are asking, but I don’t think Accounting + Finance helps much over just Accounting if that is your question. The CFA adds almost nothing if you already have those degrees and aim for IB roles.

Amazing article!

What if I had a diploma in Accounting and I am planning to take degree in Finance as Bachler degree or shall I keep it with Accounting and would that helps to over come CFA and to be IB.

Anything with numbers, programming, or science exposure that is also not too difficult or demanding. Maybe major in something easier and do the minor in a more quantitative subject. People often pick Economics, which can be OK, but I would recommend something additional to gain more accounting or coding/math knowledge.