Image displays an aerial view of the inside of the McDonough School of Business
Category: Academics

Title: Classes I’m Taking as an Undeclared Student in the MSB

Author: Shirley H.
Date Published: March 3, 2020

Choosing which classes you take in college can be totally overwhelming at first, especially since Georgetown offers so many cool courses. It’s easy to get lost in all the things you’re interested in and all the requirements you may have to fulfill! If you take the time to talk to your advising dean, and spend some time evaluating what you want out of your college experience, the process will be a lot less daunting.

I know coming in the fall as an undeclared freshman in the business school, it felt like even within the business realm there were way too many options for me to try them all. Because of this, I started with some core curriculum classes to get a sense of what an undergraduate business education is like as well as some liberal arts classes to explore outside of the MSB.

Now I feel like I have a much better sense of the different tracks I want to pursue and the different opportunities available to me. Because of this, I was able to craft a much more balanced schedule for this spring semester that I’m absolutely loving! Although challenging at times, I’ve really enjoyed the mix of four classes I’m taking.

Global Markets and Politics (BGAF 101)

This course is a gateway to the Bachelor of Science in Business and Global Affairs (BSBGA) joint degree program between the SFS and the MSB that I’m considering pursuing. It is class that looks at politics and markets in the world economy and the interactions between global actors, interests and institutions. This class has a lot of readings but it has been my most rewarding one by far. The three professors that teach the class always connect the theoretical and academic frameworks we study to current events that are happening in real time, like the U.S.-China Trade War.

Heritage Chinese (CHIN 114)

I was thrilled to find out that Georgetown had a Chinese track designed especially for students who are of Chinese heritage. The majority of the class grew up speaking Chinese but never learned how to read or write, so this class essentially covers two years of Chinese in one year. Because of the fast pace required, this class meets four times a week and is 6 credits in comparison to most other classes are 3 credits each. Getting to know Chinese culture and history through the class has been really cool as an Asian American and because the class is quite small, it has become one of my favorite communities on campus! We’re all friends in the class now!

Accounting I (ACCT-101)

Every single MSB student is required to take Financial Accounting—it’s almost like a rite of passage! Although this class can be quite challenging at times, there are a ton of TA’s willing to help and because everyone has to take it, there are a ton of your peers also struggling through. You definitely bond with your classmates during late night study sessions for the accounting midterms. Ultimately, I’ve heard from several upperclassmen that this class becomes the foundation of your business education and is one of the most important conceptual courses to master.

Macroeconomics (ECON 002) 

Macroeconomics is a popular class and because of how many students want to take it, it’s held in a large lecture hall with a very dynamic professor! Although it’s formally held twice a week, there are also macro recitations which are smaller classes taught by upperclassmen TA’s that go over concepts and homework problems. They’re really helpful! This class has been cool to take in conjunction with my Global Markets and Politics class, as there’s been a ton of fascinating overlap.