Transitioning into Quant/Computational Finance from a Blockchain Background

[Maximalist]

Hi everyone,


I'm a graduate from an IIT and have been working remotely in the blockchain security space since graduation, primarily on decentralized finance (DeFi) projects. Through this experience, I developed a strong interest in finance.

Given my background and love for mathematics, I'm now seriously considering applying for a Master's in Computational Finance (or a related finance program) to transition into quantitative finance roles.

That said, I don't have formal experience in traditional quant roles or internships, and I'm aware that this could be a gap in my profile. I’ve looked into programs like the Baruch pre-MFE courses, which seem excellent, but due to some personal financial commitments, I won’t be able to afford such courses this year. Most of my available funds will go toward master’s applications (hopefully!).


I’d really appreciate any advice on:

• How I can strengthen my profile for top computational finance programs without incurring heavy costs?
• Are there affordable or free resources/courses that could help me build the necessary quant and finance background?
• What kind of projects or self-study areas should I focus on to align with the expectations of these programs?

Any insights or suggestions would be very helpful. Thank you!