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What classes should I take in high school if I plan to major in finance?
I am a junior in high school and plan on taking AP Calc b/c and AP Statistics next year.
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5 answers
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Sagar’s Answer
Hi there - I am a former economics and finance major who ultimately pursued a career in investment banking for several years, then moved into corporate finance. Finance is fairly broad and, depending on what sub-specialty interests you, some are more math heavy than others. For example, if you're interested in investing and ultimately want to work at a quantitative hedge fund that uses mathematical analysis to make trades, then an advanced knowledge of mathematics is fairly important. On the other hand, in a career like investment banking math is important but typically not very advanced (mostly basic arithmetic). In any case, most of the mathematical knowledge that would be required for an actual career will be learnt in college, and I think your focus should be building a strong overall application to get into a college with a strong finance program - and it sounds like you're already on the right track to do that with the classes you're taking. I think a more valuable use of your time would be to get a better sense for what sub-specialty of finance interests you (e.g., corporate finance, investment banking, equity research, trading) so that once you do get into college, you can immediately seek out opportunities that can help you build our a resume for that specific specialty.
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Margaret’s Answer
I suggest taking all the math classes your school offers. If you are able, consider taking AP classes in as many subjects your school offers. Many people change their major multiple times in college, so you don't need to focus on classes specific to Finance. If you can knock out some prerequisite classes in high school, you will be ahead when you get to college, no matter the major!!
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Justin’s Answer
Good question Jacky. As a former finance major who regularly speaks with undergraduate business students, I’ve found that it’s easy to overestimate the prerequisites. Finance has many elements, but most involve basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). However, we run through those calculations rapidly. Fluency in and comfort with math helps quite a bit since you will be able to focus on the concepts over worrying about the formulas we follow.
Finance majors don’t spend all their time running through calcs, though. Reading dense material about businesses is common, then you need to be able to condense this information into your own short writing. So general reading comprehension and writing are important, but they are common to many classes in high school.
In summary, high school students who aspire to a finance major do not need to pursue any special class work, rather they should just focus on broader learning to enter college with a flexible skill set.
Finance majors don’t spend all their time running through calcs, though. Reading dense material about businesses is common, then you need to be able to condense this information into your own short writing. So general reading comprehension and writing are important, but they are common to many classes in high school.
In summary, high school students who aspire to a finance major do not need to pursue any special class work, rather they should just focus on broader learning to enter college with a flexible skill set.
Updated
Udit’s Answer
Algebra, calculus, accounting, economics, business, programming, english and statistics.
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Jacky:
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a career in Finance. Physics and chemistry will be the core science courses. For math, algebra, statistics, geometry and calculus will be needed. Other classes to take will be computer science, economics, business, finance and applied technology. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail and observation skills; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration amongst team members, partner departments and clients occur on a daily basis. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills since analysis reports are generated and findings are presented to colleagues and other professionals who deal with Finance. Another recommendation is to seek the advice from your high school guidance counselor and teachers. They can help guide your educational pathway for Finance.
According to U.S. News and World Report, here are the top colleges and universities for Finance Majors:
- University of Pennsylvania
- New York University
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- University of Texas (Austin)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Boston College
- University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Indiana University (Bloomington)
- Cornell University
- University of Virginia
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-finance
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of college and scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and to gain entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Finance!
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a career in Finance. Physics and chemistry will be the core science courses. For math, algebra, statistics, geometry and calculus will be needed. Other classes to take will be computer science, economics, business, finance and applied technology. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail and observation skills; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration amongst team members, partner departments and clients occur on a daily basis. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills since analysis reports are generated and findings are presented to colleagues and other professionals who deal with Finance. Another recommendation is to seek the advice from your high school guidance counselor and teachers. They can help guide your educational pathway for Finance.
According to U.S. News and World Report, here are the top colleges and universities for Finance Majors:
- University of Pennsylvania
- New York University
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- University of Texas (Austin)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Boston College
- University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Indiana University (Bloomington)
- Cornell University
- University of Virginia
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-finance
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of college and scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and to gain entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Finance!