MOST USEFUL university classes

[Centaurion]

I'm doing macro economic this semester, and oh boy what a piece of crap that is. You have all these ****ing graphs that you have to intrperet, and in every example mentioned, it says "considering all other factors stay the same". Well I got a news flash for you!! All other factors dont stay the same in the REAL WORLD!! The whole course is based on unreasonable assumptions. It's just a waste of time.

 

[Interpol]

Ok, here's three more:

Investments:

Study of the nature of securities markets and techniques for security and portfolio analysis. COurse includes such topics as types of investment securities, security market operation, theory and evidence on portfolio choice by investors, risk and return, and capital market efficiency. Among the applications considered are mutual funds and regulation of security markets.

Risk Management

Not typing out the entire description because it's really long. Specific topics include: determining the costs of risk to a corporation, managing interest rate risk using futures, forwards and swaps, evaluating derivatives credit risk, credit risk derivatives, using options to manage risk and managing the risk of options positions, monitoring the activities of traders/risk managers, "derivatives disaster" including Barings, Metallgesellschaft, and Sumitomo, and exchange and OTC markets.

Options, Futures, and Derivative Securities

Examines the theory and practical application of derivative securities such as futures, options, and swaps. Central to the theory of derivative security pricing is arbitrage and payoff replication. In practice, derivative securities provide a principal route to manage, and in particular, hedge financial risk. Futures, options, and swaps on different types of underlying assets are examined with an emphasis on pricing and application.

So there ya go, I don't really wanna type anymore because I have better things to do, but those were just a few of the courses classified under Finance. There's also courses under Accounting, Managerial Economics, and Management that have tangential relations to investing. If this doesn't satisfy you then I don't know what possibly could.

 

[Centaurion]

yeah, but what year are those courses for?

Usually, all the good courses are in the 3rd year, so you have to do 2years with crappy, useless courses in order to do the usefull ones.

 

[Create Reality]

Originally posted by sifer
While knowing these are nice, knowing these don't put you ahead of the game. I wish that was true.

But it does teach you what you need to know to play the game. Can't play if ya don't know the rules, or you look like this guy...

 

[Interpol]

Originally posted by Centaurion
I'm doing macro economic this semester, and oh boy what a piece of crap that is. You have all these ****ing graphs that you have to intrperet, and in every example mentioned, it says "considering all other factors stay the same". Well I got a news flash for you!! All other factors dont stay the same in the REAL WORLD!! The whole course is based on unreasonable assumptions. It's just a waste of time.

You have to learn to crawl before you learn to walk. Or in this case, you have to learn the basic underlying concepts behind economic trends before you can start analyzing real-world situations. You're not supposed to take an introductory macro course and turn into Donald Trump.

You don't actually learn anything in college... it's all a bullsh*t diploma.
Only good for showing to your employers.

What you should do is read that book Rich Dad poor Dad and other financial books.

People in the real world didn't learn these skills from college...

This is possibly the dumbest post I've ever read....Rich Dad Poor Dad was a best seller for who knows how many weeks on end, so why aren't the MILLIONS of people who read it now succesful investors?

If college doesn't teach you anything, then how come college graduates earn more on average than non-graduates? How come the VAST MAJORITY of Fortune 500 CEOs graduated from very prestigious business schools?

Go sit in on a class at Wharton (if you know what that is) and then tell me they're not learning anything useful...

 

[Interpol]

Originally posted by Centaurion
yeah, but what year are those courses for?

Usually, all the good courses are in the 3rd year, so you have to do 2years with crappy, useless courses in order to do the usefull ones.

Read what I said in my other reply to you. You have to learn to crawl before you learn to walk. Those "crappy, useless" courses are what give you the point of reference for more advanced topics. Do you really expect a college to give you control of a multi-million dollar investment portfolio without taking intro classes first? If so, then you fall under the category of "People with wildly unrealistic expectations of how college works".

 

[sifer]

Originally posted by Interpol
Personal Finance:
While you spend $100k and 4-6 years, Mr. Seifer spend $0 in Barnes and Noble and some time bona fide crashing here and there, I'm sure you'll get farther than me. There's two whole section in B&N on personal finance and I see businessowners there everyday and some of their comments I've heard include, "wow, this book is more helpful than my college professor!"

Truth is, you have more to lose by going to college.
You spend 4-6 years in the end getting a piece of paper for work. Your mind by then is conditioned to take orders. You're used to be told, it's a habit that's quite hard to change. Sure you can force yourself but you won't be as "good" as the ones who dropped out of high school and HAD to do it or they are history.

You spend money, which you could've used for investing. You could've spent the money on genuine seminars and even use the time and money combined to meet a few famous people. I myself have spoke to Donald Trump once and learned a lot just by being around him.

Intended for non-business majors, examines issues underlying decision making regarding personal investments. Topics: present value concepts, financial markets and instruments, portfolio theory, bond and equity valuations, mutual funds, mortgages, taxes, and personal financial planning.
Ah yes.. FVC, time value of money, taxes, mortgages, IRA, equity funding, these things I've picked in the books at the library. Yes, all of these can be learned at home in a comfortable environment with your feet on the table while reading quietly.


Investment Praxis:

In this course students serve as managers of a portfolio, the Investment Praxis Fund, which is owned by the school. Students will analyze investment opportunities in various industries and present recommendations to the class for possible purchases or sales of securities. Students must demonstrate that their investment decisions are consistent with the style and objectives of the fund. Valuation tools and financial statement analysis are emphasized as part of a thorough analysis. The course will emphasize contact with investment professionals such as portfolio managers, securities traders, consultants, custodians, and plan sponsors. At the end of the semester the students will report their performance to the advisory board of the fund which is composed of University financial officers and outside investment professionals.

As nice and professional as it sound, I doubt you'll use even a quarter of them in RL business situation.

I can type out more if you really want, these were only the first courses I found...

Sure, for every course you list, I can list a couple of books on each course. There is nothing the library or amazon.com or Barnes and Noble or any book store can't cover.

 

[Interpol]

As nice and professional as it sound, I doubt you'll use even a quarter of them in RL business situation.

Oh really? Please explain your line of thinking in detail.

 

[sifer]

Originally posted by Create Reality
But it does teach you what you need to know to play the game. Can't play if ya don't know the rules, or you look like this guy...

Question for you Create Reality, how does it teach you to play the game if it isn't tailored for that game? Perhaps I really am .

Take portfolio management as an example, and by the way, that's from finance.

Portfolio management in finance basically means making decision based on what you get in the analysis of several things including and for this sake, risk vs performance.

That's for finance. How do you use it for say a business? Or say real estate, when you have say, one property with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, etcetc?

:crackup: <--- Cute in this situation. You know?

 

[Interpol]

Originally posted by sifer
Sure, for every course you list, I can list a couple of books on each course. There is nothing the library or amazon.com or Barnes and Noble or any book store can't cover.

Would you want to receive open-heart surgery from a surgeon who learned to operate by reading a book?

 

[sifer]

Originally posted by Interpol
Would you want to receive open-heart surgery from a surgeon who learned to operate by reading a book?

Nope, but it's not the same situation. There is no life and death in owning real estate or running a business.

When you are a real estate investor, you here making money. Your job is to make sure it's positive cashflow.

When you are a surgeon, your job is to save lives, get paid for your supplies and materials and some of you and your staff's time.

Another thing I realized is, I don't think there are any books for becoming a surgeon and you need to have a license. You don't need a license to become a REI or businessowner.

 

[sifer]

Originally posted by Interpol
Oh really? Please explain your line of thinking in detail.

Ok, give me an example of a technique that the course may employ or a concept it teach? I just asked some real estate investors and businessowners what IP is. None of them know what it is. One has invested in over 50 properties and his response : "Investment Praxis? I don't know, never heard of it."

 

[Centaurion]

My position on this is that university is what YOU make it out to be. Sure, if you go there just to get drunk, score chicks and particapated half assed, you'll come out with almost to none knowledge. But on the other hand, if you have long term goals and actually try to understand and do something you will come out with a solid foundation for future progress, both personally and financially. Lately I've been reading alot of anti-uni posts here, I assume that those who think that uni is worthless are those that did a halfassed job or none, or just went to a crappy state uni or something.

 

[sifer]

Originally posted by Interpol
This is possibly the dumbest post I've ever read....Rich Dad Poor Dad was a best seller for who knows how many weeks on end, so why aren't the MILLIONS of people who read it now succesful investors?

I wish there is a straight answer I can give you but unfortunately, I have to tell ya, there are many many factors and many things you must take into consideration.

Getting wealthy or rich is a concept or an idea that is different from each person to another. Another thing you must take into consideration is that most people read, get an itchy foot but don't do it.

It's not only in investing or running their own business, it's just like everything else, like losing weight, like lifting weight, or attending and learning to dance or sing. Most people just don't get up and go.

I wouldn't say MILLIONS becoming rich but I can definitely say I have benefitted from RDPD and many people I know whom have read the book have begun to open their mind to new possibilities and have learned and changed for the better. In fact, I have a friend whom I'm contacting right now, he is an example and living proof of getting wealthy or rich if one just "get up and go".

Successful people are made, not born.

 

[Interpol]

Originally posted by sifer
Nope, but it's not the same situation. There is no life and death in owning real estate or running a business.

When you are a real estate investor, you here making money. Your job is to make sure it's positive cashflow.

When you are a surgeon, your job is to save lives, get paid for your supplies and materials and some of you and your staff's time.

Maybe losing all your money and going bankrupt isn't life or death, but I'd say it's pretty damn close.

Listen, it's obvious that you're not going to change your mind on this topic so I'm not going to argue with you for much longer. But realize that:

1. Not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur or real estate investor. That's pretty much the only careers that your advice is good for. Not everyone's goal in life is to make as much money as possible.

2. A college education, especially from a top-tier college, is much more valuable than you've been giving it credit for. Don't discourage people from going to college or tell them they won't learn anything, because that's simply not true.

All you folks of the anti-college uprising folks can have your Kanye West CDs, Good Will Hunting DVDs, and Robert Kiyosuki books. I'll take my frat house, hot college chicks, and a top-rate education by Nobel-prize winning professors. I sincerely wish you the best of luck and hope you're satisfied with your decision, because I know I'm satisfied with mine.

 

[Interpol]

Originally posted by sifer
Ok, give me an example of a technique that the course may employ or a concept it teach? I just asked some real estate investors and businessowners what IP is. None of them know what it is. One has invested in over 50 properties and his response : "Investment Praxis? I don't know, never heard of it."

Uh, did you even read the course description? I'm not really sure how to respond here because what you're saying doesn't make sense.

Investment Praxis is just the name of the class, it's not a property. I wouldn't expect any investors to "have heard of it".

I'm not going to give you examples of techniques or concepts because that was all covered in the description. Very little is taught, the student conducts research and analysis, recommends to buy or sell securities, and then makes those recommendations to the directors of the portfolio, who may or may not choose to follow those recommendations. It's not a simulation or game theory, it's a real portfolio worth real millions of dollars. I don't know how much closer to real world experience you could get.

 

[sifer]

Originally posted by Interpol
Uh, did you even read the course description? I'm not really sure how to respond here because what you're saying doesn't make sense.

Yes I did but I didn't understand the course description until now. Thanks.

 

[sifer]

Originally posted by Interpol
Maybe losing all your money and going bankrupt isn't life or death, but I'd say it's pretty damn close.
I've yet to experience bankruptcy but from examples like RK and Donald Trump, it's hard to say that it's life and death. There are people starving out in this world, when I look at their problems, I just learn from my experience and move on. I'm not going to commit suicide over something I know I can fix, it's just a matter of time before long or before short.

Listen, it's obvious that you're not going to change your mind on this topic so I'm not going to argue with you for much longer. But realize that:

1. Not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur or real estate investor. That's pretty much the only careers that your advice is good for. Not everyone's goal in life is to make as much money as possible.
You're right, I like you because you have passion in you career. But unfortunately, you're just one of the few who really love what they do. As for most, I would stop telling them to get up and go when they stop complaining to me about low pay and their condescending boss. If you're not worried about low pay, the job should be easy as breezy.

2. A college education, especially from a top-tier college, is much more valuable than you've been giving it credit for. Don't discourage people from going to college or tell them they won't learn anything, because that's simply not true.
I'm only discouraging people who plan to become a businessman or investor to not go to college. To save their money and use it for something else. Everyone else, they have their way.

All you folks of the anti-college uprising can have your Kanye West CDs, Good Will Hunting DVDs, and Robert Kiyosuki books. I'll take my frat house, hot college chicks, and a top-rate education by Nobel-prize winning professors. I sincerely wish you the best of luck and hope you're satisfied with your decision, because I know I'm satisfied with mine.
I'm happy that you're happy with your choice. But apparently you have gone far that you've become angry and resorted to insulting. Is it because you can't change my mind that you're mad?? Don't be, I wasn't even arguing. I've learned a few things from you.

 

[Mystic]

Originally posted by RepphIz
billionaires? HAHAHAHA :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
noone here will ever be billionaires or even get one million, not to mention, its IMPOSSIBLE! they were blessed by God knows what and they just got LUCKY! noone can be a billionaire without getting lucky, just pure luck, if you take their money away from them, they cant make that billion again even if you gave them enough time to do so

simply put, u HAVE to work!

Spoken like a true idiot. I have a question if you dont know what the **** youre talking about why say anything at all?

Noone here will ever be a millionaire? Well the son of a self made one is pointing out your stupidity right now. Your argument is flawed, there is no way you can accurately predict the financial success of a broad range of people you know nothing about.

Being a billionaire is pure luck? Tell that to Trump who was millions in debt during the (90's I believe) but since he was such a savvy connected businessman he was able to bounce back and stop his empire from crumbling and rebuild it again. Thats just one example.

ugh moron shutup.

 

[RepphIz]

Originally posted by Mystic
Spoken like a true idiot. I have a question if you dont know what the **** youre talking about why say anything at all?
wut do u mean i dunno what im talkin about??!?

Noone here will ever be a millionaire? Well the son of a self made one is pointing out your stupidity right now.
son of a self made? who?

Your argument is flawed, there is no way you can accurately predict the financial success of a broad range of people you know nothing about.
:crackup: does it make a difference? u either have a degree or u dont, u either have a job or u dont, u either have money in thebank or u dont

Being a billionaire is pure luck? Tell that to Trump who was millions in debt during the (90's I believe) but since he was such a savvy connected businessman he was able to bounce back and stop his empire from crumbling and rebuild it again. Thats just one example.
one and ONLY example, donald trump is one in the world, i bet he does everything he does illegal behind the scene without people like u knowing

ugh moron shutup.
dont insult me i didnt insult u