Phd in a world of Quants

[Alireza Amini]

ahahahah sorry Kann and Evan I know when something interest me too I become boring but this is my dream, I come from Italy and here there is no future for us and life was though for me and this dream could come true and wanna take my revenge and I want be a financial engineer

We live in a really interesting world. You exactly listed all the reasons because of which I left my country and moved to Italy and now you are saying for the same reasons you want to leave Italy. I am studying MSQF at University of Bologna, Why don't you consider this program? After this program I am considering Bocconi's PhD in economics and finance I have read good remarks about Bocconi. Since you are in Milan do you agree that Bocconi is a good choice?

 

[Tiasilverman]

Bocconi is the best italian university for economy it's a good choice

 

[Daniel Duffy]

We live in a really interesting world. You exactly listed all the reasons because of which I left my country and moved to Italy and now you are saying for the same reasons you want to leave Italy. I am studying MSQF at University of Bologna, Why don't you consider this program? After this program I am considering Bocconi's PhD in economics and finance I have read good remarks about Bocconi. Since you are in Milan do you agree that Bocconi is a good choice?

Have you been to La Scala yet?

Bologna is also not bad for music

 

[Alireza Amini]

Have you been to La Scala yet?

La Scala? What is that and where is it?

 

[Daniel Duffy]

La Scala? What is that and where is it?

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teatro_alla_Scala

turn left at Il Duomo.

 

[Alireza Amini]

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teatro_alla_Scala

turn left at Il Duomo.

I didn't know about this. Actually I arrived in Bologna last September and haven't visited other cities yet.I must include La Scala in my list of "places to be visited".
Grazie mille

 

[Quant4Life]

I'll give a practical answer. I had great PhD and MFE offers. Was debating the same thing a lot. I joined a top MFE program. I always thought GS Strats quant is something impossible to get into. I did, along with that I got a number of other Quant offers, and didn't need PhD. Great career services at a top MFE helps a lot though, especially given that MFE's curriculum is very practical and less theoretical.

With a phd you'll probably get an Associate role with average 120K base salary. Many MFE's get this type of offers with only internship experience. Even if you get an analyst offer after MFE, it'll be around 90K and within two years you'll be an associate. So, PhD is worse-less unless you want to teach in future or have a specific passion for a doctoral degree and doing academic research. Hope this helps...

 

[Gavin L]

@Artur Spivacenco do you mind letting me know which PhDs and MFEs you were offered, and which you ultimately took? What was your undergraduate studies in? (Private message me if you don't want to share here )

 

[Quant4Life]

I had PhD offers from Florida State and Stony Brook, MFE from CMU, Chicago, MIT, GeTech etc. I chose CMU (best decision of my life so far). Undergrad in Math, Stats, Finance, and Econ. from University of Minnesota.

 

[Gavin L]

Thanks for that. I still have time to think about it...