Grinding Putnam for Quant

[mjrmjr]

I want to break into quant trading from a ~T50 non-target. I have some competition math experience from high school (AIME) but no olympiads. If I do nothing but grind for the Putnam for the next 3 years, and get a good score, say top 250, what are my chances of getting into a top quant trading firm? Is this a viable strategy? I'm willing to spend every waking second grinding.

 

[kombuchalover]

I want to break into quant trading from a ~T50 non-target. I have some competition math experience from high school (AIME) but no olympiads. If I do nothing but grind for the Putnam for the next 3 years, and get a good score, say top 250, what are my chances of getting into a top quant trading firm? Is this a viable strategy? I'm willing to spend every waking second grinding.

I know someone from undergrad that had a similar background. I would say though that he got in cuz he had a good internship his sophomore year and then he studied quant interviewing and got a quant trading internship his junior year and then an full time offer his senior year. I can’t speak to how often this happens, but i can say it does happen.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

I would rather spend the next 3 years learning how to code really well, learn math and the interview prep.
Spending 3 years to get a top 250 in Putnam is not a productive way to get into this industry.
Let aim for something more realistic for someone with your profile. There are jobs outside of top quant trading firms and more suitable career.

 

[QuantCoach]

Putnam is a good way to set you apart and is something that will catch my eye when looking through a resume; it especially helps make up for being from a non-target. If you want to break into quant trader specifically, coding is less important compared to other roles such as QR or QDs. However, I wouldn't recommend 'doing nothing but grinding Putnam for 3 years'; there's opportunity cost to that. It's better to focus on grinding on getting a quant trading internship and getting in the industry that way. For context, I was also AIME level in high school and my undergrad probably had less name value than a T50 non-target yet I still broke into a top quant trading firm (think JS/Cit Sec/Sig) without Putnam (although I do regret not doing Putnam as I think it would have made my job hunt easier)

 

[mjrmjr]

Putnam is a good way to set you apart and is something that will catch my eye when looking through a resume; it especially helps make up for being from a non-target. If you want to break into quant trader specifically, coding is less important compared to other roles such as QR or QDs. However, I wouldn't recommend 'doing nothing but grinding Putnam for 3 years'; there's opportunity cost to that. It's better to focus on grinding on getting a quant trading internship and getting in the industry that way. For context, I was also AIME level in high school and my undergrad probably had less name value than a T50 non-target yet I still broke into a top quant trading firm (think JS/Cit Sec/Sig) without Putnam (although I do regret not doing Putnam as I think it would have made my job hunt easier)

I agree Putnam is a good standout factor. And yes, I will definitely make sure to have standard stuff like projects, extracurriculars, GPA, etc. But if I do manage to qualify for Putnam Top 250, albeit from a non-target school, how do you think my chances are? Is trying to go for putnam (while focusing on the rest of the factors) a good use of my time?

 

[QuantCoach]

Well if you can qualify for top 250 without sacrificing too much elsewhere then go for it; there’s obviously no guarantee that qualifying top 250 will get you a job but it does help get past the resume screen. It’s very hard to tell you what your chances are, there are so many factors at play. However, what I can say is the later you wait, there will be less opportunities to stand out and all else being equal, having putnam on your resume will never hurt you