CS + Applied Math or Stats (Advice for incoming Harvard freshman)

[leapcrimson]

Hey everyone!

I'm an incoming freshman at Harvard College, and I'm interested in going into quant. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to structure my major, and I have narrowed it down to two choices: Double Major in CS/Applied Math or Double Major in CS/Statistics

I think CS is a must because if quant doesn’t end up working out, I’d like to have an option to pivot into tech. Between stats and applied math, I’d probably minor in whichever one I don’t end up double majoring in. If there's any other combination you think might be better, please let me know!

Harvard also offers a concurrent master's option (basically earning a master's in four years alongside the bachelor's), and I was wondering if that’s something worth pursuing. For instance, would it make sense to do a bachelor’s with a double major in CS and Applied Math, and then a master’s in Stats? Would that add any real value, or is it overkill?

Also, outside of the actual learning, do more advanced courses (such as grad-level courses) actually look better on a resume when applying for quant roles?

Finally, could you give me any advice on how I could spend the next few months productively to get a head start? For example, I’ve heard that some consulting/finance/quant clubs on campus can be pretty competitive to get into. Any tips on how I can use the time before college starts to give myself a better shot at joining them and setting myself up for future opportunities?

Thanks a lot!

 

[MikeLawrence]

What math/stats/coding languages do you currently know?

Short answer is just start grinding leetcode/hackerrank and the simpler math interview questions. If you can't currently code, take the C++ course from this cite-you'll have a huge leg up on coursework from it too. Buy the green book, Dan Stefanica's 150 interview questions, and the Primer to the Mathematics of Financial Engineering. Do your best to get one of those spring 'tour the company' days for underclassmen.

I recommend CS/Applied math. If you're minoring in stats, and take some of the more applicable ML/DS CS courses, you won't need much else in that department. A full applied math will give you a good foundation in numerical maths, while a minor may not. I don't think CS electives do as good a job covering those topics as they do the ML/DS stuff.

 

[leapcrimson]

Hi Mike, thanks for your answer!
Math: Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, Number Theory, Combinatorics.
Programming Languages: Python (pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, tensorflow, PyTorch, SciPy), R, C++, SQL, Java.
Stats is the one I would say I am the least proficient in. I have only taken AP Stats so far.

So are you saying that passing the resume screening shouldn’t be a concern, and that I should instead focus on interviews? Because I am mostly worried I won’t be able to land interviews in the first place.

Thank you!

 

[MikeLawrence]

Hi Mike, thanks for your answer!
Math: Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, Number Theory, Combinatorics.
Programming Languages: Python (pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, tensorflow, PyTorch, SciPy), R, C++, SQL, Java.
Stats is the one I would say I am the least proficient in. I have only taken AP Stats so far.

So are you saying that passing the resume screening shouldn’t be a concern, and that I should instead focus on interviews? Because I am mostly worried I won’t be able to land interviews in the first place.

Thank you!

Nice, alright. Yeah just jump into interview prep. Get a GitHub profile going and create some good projects to put on it. Take a calculus based probability course as soon as you can, as these are important interview question topics, but for now play to your strengths and just get the coding portion under control.

Go straight to leetcode, start banging away. Buy the books I mentioned above as well, you have the necessary knowledge to start them. Greenbook is the least mathematical and consists mostly of little tricks you should know. But I ran into two of those tricks during a super day I sat for this morning- I can attest they are good to have seen.

 

[leapcrimson]

Nice, alright. Yeah just jump into interview prep. Get a GitHub profile going and create some good projects to put on it. Take a calculus based probability course as soon as you can, as these are important interview question topics, but for now play to your strengths and just get the coding portion under control.

Go straight to leetcode, start banging away. Buy the books I mentioned above as well, you have the necessary knowledge to start them. Greenbook is the least mathematical and consists mostly of little tricks you should know. But I ran into two of those tricks during a super day I sat for this morning- I can attest they are good to have seen.

This is really helpful, thank you so much!