Ph.D in Pure Math or Masters in Quantitative Finance?

[Aaron Pereira]

I'm new to the forum, but I just have a question about what graduate degree I should pursue. At the moment, I'm a student pursuing a Double Degree, getting a B.Math from University of Waterloo (majoring Math Finance and Pure Math) and a B.Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier (major Finance). I'm very good with mathematics and finance and am very interested in both topics. If my goal is to be a front office quant (who focuses highly on mathematical models) *ideally* working on Wall Street, which of the following grad programs should I pursue:

Masters in Quantitative Finance
Ph.D in Pure Mathematics

Honestly I'd enjoy doing the Pure Math more, and I think I could get higher marks in it. My question is which would prepare me more for the goal of working highly in math modeling? Any feedback is appreciated, since I'm relatively uneducated about the topic. Thanks in advance

 

[Dwsmith]

Applied Math should be the other choice not Pure.

 

[Aaron Pereira]

Really? I heard that they generally require Pure Math, since the math modelling tends to be highly theoretical; is this not the case?

 

[DanM]

Since when is math modeling ever "highly theoretical"? Modeling is applied mathematics.

 

[ExSan]

Applied Math should be the other choice not Pure.

Applied Math
Could you please point the BEST ON LINE programs/schools,

 

[ExSan]

any one ?
I am interested in Applied Math NYU / Columbia/MIT ???? other options ?

 

[Dwsmith]

any one ?
I am interested in Applied Math NYU / Columbia/MIT ???? other options ?

Depends on what you want to do.

Cryptology then Florida Atlantic University

Mining type fields Colorado School of Mines

There are schools for Applied Math geared towards Biology, Cosmology, Fluid Mechanics, etc.

You should find what you like and look for those schools that do that.