Best Path to Quant Finance with a Lower GPA?

rabidquince

rabidquince

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Hello,
I’m aiming for a role quant research but have a 3.1 GPA in Finance from a decent business school in my country, looking for the most efficient way to build my quant profile.

Options:​

  1. Financial Analyst job + Online Degree (either Math & Eco from University of London/ Data Science from a Target School in my country) + MIT OCW.
  2. Full-time Math/Stats degree at a top domestic institution (competitive entrance, I can attempt to register and give my entrance but I doubt I would be able to clear).
  3. Second Bachelor’s in Math/Stats from a state university

Questions:​

  • Would a strong Math Olympiad score offset my GPA?
  • Is self-study + an online degree enough, or is a second full math degree better?
 
Chiming in here as I have a similar background to the individual Andy mentioned. My undergrad was 3.06/4.00. The difference being I did my undergrad in the US, citizen, etc.

My advice would be use your finance degree and get the best job you can. I found work in consulting and then investment banking. Earn a few years experience. Complete math/stats/programming pre-reqs and then apply.

Think about the story you will eventually be telling the admissions committee. If you are interested in finance and got a degree in finance, then the natural progression would be to get a job in finance. If you were interested in quant subjects, then why did you not take a bachelors in something quant like math or CS? It’s an easier story to tell when you get some finance experience and then desire more quant focused work and so take coursework in these subjects and then go get a MFE after.
 
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I second what @lifeisagamble said above.
The reality is that unless you discover QuantNet and the quant career in your freshmen year in college, everyone has to do extra work to be in this competitive race.
The work involved as illustrated by both @Leggoo MFE and @lifeisagamble:
  • Took the QuantNet C++ course. They both have the badge that shows that they completed the courses. Explore what we offer.
  • Took other pre-MFE courses by Baruch MFE. They are the most intensive prep courses that I'm familiar with. This is almost a required step for anyone who is out of school and lacking the requirements by the top quant programs. You can take them at local college or online elsewhere as well.
  • Get some relevant work experience or internship in finance.
  • Learn about the industry and type of jobs, firms and how they interact.
  • Learn about the programs. They all sound the same but each has unique strength and weakness.
  • Craft a convincing narrative of why this degree, this program. If you have no clue, there is zero chance to get in good programs.
All said, it takes time and real commitment to be successful in this industry. Remember, getting into a program is the easiest step in the process. There is much more work to be done the moment you get admitted. There is no guarantee you will get the exact job and salary you desire.
There is no shortcut, no magic pill. You will have to spend time and money to prepare. The compensation will be much more than most people make anywhere outside of professional athletes.
 
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Hey! I have tried giving a detailed answer to all the questions here :)

Leggoo MFE

Thread 'From Low CGPA to My Dream School: Columbia MAFN, NYU MFE, and More'

Hello QuantNet Community,

I wanted to share my journey to getting accepted into Columbia's MAFN program, NYU's MFE, NCSU's Mathematical Finance, and Nanyang Business School's MFE in Singapore. I'm still waiting on decisions from Columbia's MFE and GaTech's QCF. My hope is that this post helps those who feel limited by a low CGPA but are passionate about breaking into the world of quantitative finance.

My Biggest Drawback

  • Low CGPA: I had a CGPA of 2.98/4.00 in both my undergrad and grad studies.
  • Poor Math Grades: I had a B- in Mathematics 3 and a...
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