how can dd link her music and maths a levels to economics for her PS

[brimfull]

she is applying to do economics and french

she was going to take music at uni but has changed her mind and is interested in economics now

problem she has is linking the benefits of doing maths and music a levels to the economics

any bright ideas how she can link them

Don't you need maths to do economics?

I'd have thought it was essential.

maths is a no-brainer for economics - it's now a highly mathematical subject. The music I would view as linked to the maths (all the people I knew at uni who were good at music were also good at maths). However more tricky to say that music has benefits for economics! IMO as economist you need a good mathematical brain and a sense of logic - a lot of it is model-solving, not much of it nowadays is common sense as you and I would know it!

Grimma-she is doing maths a level

thanks florence -yes it's the benefits of music that is difficult

her teacher says she should link in her music practice and theory to economics but she is at a loss as to how

I don't think she needs to worry too much about linking Music with Maths and Economics, why can't she just say why she is interested in music and demonstrate somehow that it is intellectually rigorous. Maths A2 isn't compulsory for all economics courses but those without it would have to choose their options very carefully. DS read Maths at one of the better Russell Group universities for the subject and he reckoned that he found some of the Maths on his course difficult because he had only taken S1 for A level Maths and that S2 (or more) would have been helpful.

maybe say something like music theory has parallels with study of complex systems and organisations? I agree though, it is slightly tenuous. Better to go on about how interesting she finds the topic itself!

If she can harmonise Bach chorales then she is able to fill in blanks with what makes sense from available information. Trio sonatas involve spotting patterns, sometimes very complex patterns. Both are very logical elements of music.

Listening/reading and analaysing music involves identifying relevant information and underlying structure from a lot of 'extra' stuff.

Thanks you lot

farkkin -genius linking there!

will pass on to dd who has almost lost the will to live

I did a music degree...it takes a lot of convincing people that I didn't spend 3 years messing around in a practice room!

What about labouring the point that music requires stickability and dedication - two attributes which are very useful to the independent, self-motivated student (and in rather short supply, I gather).

I am a music graduate and a secondary teacher so what I have to say may or may not help - many of my friends after my degree (which was a BSc in music) went on to work in the city or investment banking. They all did music degrees. Out of 25 of us on my undergraduate course only 2 of us went into teaching the remainder went into the city (however some went into sound engineering and recording work). I have always been told that the business world appreciates music as a higher qual due to the nature of being a successful musician takes a lot of individualised work - hours focussing on little things to get them right - also that you have to be a team player to play successfully in ensembles. Most of all that the dedication and commitment needed to be a great musician is a transferable skill.

thanks - brilliant suggestions

She was feeling quite despondent last night and I'm sure your suggestions will cheer her up .