Hi Everyone,
I am currently a software engineer with 4.5 years of experience, having worked for three companies in the S&P 500. My professional experience is comprised of .NET application development, and while I have worked at financial firms including JPMC, my experience in finance is non-existent other than retail trading. After developing a curiosity in quantitative finance and spending significant time reflecting internally, I have decided to apply to a handful of programs listed on QuantNet's top 20 list and would greatly appreciate any feedback on my profile.
Education
Undergraduate degree in mathematics with a concentration in computer science (and although it lacks relevance, a minor in Japanese) from a liberal arts college
GPA: 3.45
Relevant Coursework and grades
Data Analysis: B
Data Structures in C++: A
Multi-Variable Calculus: B
Linear Algebra: A-
Probability: B-
Combinatorics: A-
Research Experience
During my time as an undergraduate, I conducted research alongside one of my professors in algebraic coding theory and co-authored two papers published by reputable mathematics journals.
Polycyclic codes associated with trinomials: good codes and open questions - Designs, Codes and Cryptography
A database of quantum codes | Journal of Algebra Combinatorics Discrete Structures and Applications
Per my professor's request, I build a .NET web application from scratch which serves as a tool for others researchers in the field. I would go on to leverage this experience to help me land my first role as a software engineer after graduation.
GRE Score
Q: 161 V: 163
During my month-long preparation for the GRE, I primarily focused on the verbal section as I naively thought my background in math would suffice as preparation for the quantitative section. I am scheduled to retake the GRE in a few weeks, and my most recent full-length practice test reflects a significant improvement in quant (168). Let us hope I can realize this improvement on the actual GRE.
What do you think?
Although I have a background in mathematics, programming, and research, I feel that my lack of financial experience paired with a relatively poor GPA is a hinderance to my chances of admission. In one statement of purpose, I am asked to provide my goal for pursuing such a degree along with steps I have taken to pursue it. Outside of reading books on finance, I have no concrete work experience or personal projects to point to. Do you have any suggestions for overcoming these deficiencies?
Thank you for taking the time to read through this.
I am currently a software engineer with 4.5 years of experience, having worked for three companies in the S&P 500. My professional experience is comprised of .NET application development, and while I have worked at financial firms including JPMC, my experience in finance is non-existent other than retail trading. After developing a curiosity in quantitative finance and spending significant time reflecting internally, I have decided to apply to a handful of programs listed on QuantNet's top 20 list and would greatly appreciate any feedback on my profile.
Education
Undergraduate degree in mathematics with a concentration in computer science (and although it lacks relevance, a minor in Japanese) from a liberal arts college
GPA: 3.45
Relevant Coursework and grades
Data Analysis: B
Data Structures in C++: A
Multi-Variable Calculus: B
Linear Algebra: A-
Probability: B-
Combinatorics: A-
Research Experience
During my time as an undergraduate, I conducted research alongside one of my professors in algebraic coding theory and co-authored two papers published by reputable mathematics journals.
Polycyclic codes associated with trinomials: good codes and open questions - Designs, Codes and Cryptography
A database of quantum codes | Journal of Algebra Combinatorics Discrete Structures and Applications
Per my professor's request, I build a .NET web application from scratch which serves as a tool for others researchers in the field. I would go on to leverage this experience to help me land my first role as a software engineer after graduation.
GRE Score
Q: 161 V: 163
During my month-long preparation for the GRE, I primarily focused on the verbal section as I naively thought my background in math would suffice as preparation for the quantitative section. I am scheduled to retake the GRE in a few weeks, and my most recent full-length practice test reflects a significant improvement in quant (168). Let us hope I can realize this improvement on the actual GRE.
What do you think?
Although I have a background in mathematics, programming, and research, I feel that my lack of financial experience paired with a relatively poor GPA is a hinderance to my chances of admission. In one statement of purpose, I am asked to provide my goal for pursuing such a degree along with steps I have taken to pursue it. Outside of reading books on finance, I have no concrete work experience or personal projects to point to. Do you have any suggestions for overcoming these deficiencies?
Thank you for taking the time to read through this.
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