Stanford ICME Masters: Which track should I apply to?

[beachhousefan]

Hi all,

I'll be applying to the ICME masters program next year, and I am looking for advice on whether I should apply to the data science vs. computational finance track. I am a CS/Stats major with SWE internships, so my profile is much more suited for the data science track. However, I am seeking a masters because I want to transition into quant finance, so my top choice is comp. finance, but I have 0 prior internships in finance.

Some questions I have are:

1. Which track should I apply to, given that (i) my top choice is the finance track, (ii) I have no finance work experience, and (iii) my profile is much more relevant for data science?
2. Is it possible to switch tracks once you're in the program? If so, I am thinking it might be a good idea to apply to data science, but I've also heard there are far more applicants for DS than there are for finance, so I might have better chances applying to finance in this case.

Thanks!

 

[quantmenot]

You should 300%, and without a shred of a doubt, pick the computational finance track. Note that training in computational finance will prepare you for a career in data science. But not the other way around. Come back to thank me in 10 years.