What PhD is best for looking for a quant job?

[Mechkov]

Hello guys, I am about to finish Part II Mathematics at Cambridge and I am wondering what PhD programs I should look into if I want to end up as a quant. I have a good chance of making it into Part III, so I am looking to be admitted for a PhD next year. I'd prefer doing it in the US, but I like it in the UK as well. I know that most quantitative degrees would do the job, but I don't think I want to do pure maths or physics for much more time. I like the idea of doing financial maths or something computer science related (machine learning, natural language processing, etc.) What universities should I look into, assuming that GRE shouldn't be a problem and that I don't have any substantial project work due the nature of the Cambridge maths course and that I have no money so I'll need to do RA or TA or something?

 

[mhy]

Do a PhD in whatever you have the most passion in. Don't do a PhD just because you want to get some job after graduation

 

[Mechkov]

Well, I said the two things in which I would most like to do research - financial maths or AI-type computer science stuff (although I am still flirting with idea of doing something in number theory). Which US universities, which give full aid or funding opportunities, I have the best shot for, while maximising my chances for a quant job afterwards?

 

[Daniel Duffy]

(although I am still flirting with idea of doing something in number theory).

You're not serious.

 

[pingu]

Do a PhD in Economics.

 

[bigbadwolf]

Do a PhD in Economics.

*Sputtering up my coffee* -- nein, nein, nein.

 

[pingu]

... or better yet, Religious Studies.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

*Sputtering up my coffee* -- nein, nein, nein.

Number theory, then?

 

[Daniel Duffy]

... or better yet, Religious Studies.

Only if it has neo-Celtic Constructionist formalism as part of the curriculum IMHO.

 

[bigbadwolf]

Number theory, then?

Carol Alexander made the transition from algebraic number theory to quant finance (I think she runs the quant finance program at U of Reading). And I have known a geometric topologist who also became a quant -- so it can be done.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

Carol Alexander made the transition from algebraic number theory to quant finance (I think she runs the quant finance program at U of Reading). And I have known a geometric topologist who also became a quant -- so it can be done.

Carol moved from Reading to Sussex (her alma matter) a few years ago.

 

[bigbadwolf]

Everyone should at least know what a tensor product is and thus how to extend the ring of scalars of a module. Basic linear algebra.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

And how to solve x = cos(x) by fixed point iteration.

 

[TehRaio]

lol this thread is going the way I expected it to.
OP nobody can tell you what's the best PhD "to become a Quant"
you might want to do a google research: top finance PhD, top computer science PhD
and figure out what you like inside their program.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

(although I am still flirting with idea of doing something in number theory).

You're not serious.

I once flirted with the idea of a PhD on Finnegans Wake.

 

[Gavin L]

I thought the PhD came out being extremely passionate for an area of study in undergrad and then wanting to continue that into a piece of original research? Aka... you're asking the wrong question?

 

[bigbadwolf]

I thought the PhD came out being extremely passionate for an area of study in undergrad and then wanting to continue that into a piece of original research? Aka... you're asking the wrong question?

An undergrad doesn't know anything. But he has had a brief and superficial exposure to some areas and thinks he would like to explore them further -- topology, differential geometry, group theory, number theory, numerical analysis, complex functions. As he progresses in his grad study and work he begins to realise how absurdly little he knew as an undergrad. And his interests start to mature and crystallise.

 

[C S]

I thought the PhD came out being extremely passionate for an area of study in undergrad and then wanting to continue that into a piece of original research? Aka... you're asking the wrong question?

You and mhy both mention passion as a necessary condition, which is interesting as I believe neither of you have a PhD nor experience in trying to obtain one. Anyway, "passion" is probably too strong a word to describe what most people feel that attempt a PhD, even those that succeed. Rather, I'd describe it as more like a strong interest.

Most of the people I've known that have gone and obtained a PhD weren't particularly passionate about their subject. But they were generally intellectuals, i.e. they liked the academic challenge and had inquiring and thoughtful minds. On the passion scale, this is probably quite a bit higher than the average person that asks here what PhD to pursue, but still quite a ways away from what I would consider "passionate".

 

[IntoDarkness]

passionate in this forum generally means a little interested...

 

[bigbadwolf]

Two words (among many others) grossly abused in the USA are "passionate" and "excited." An undergrad can't be "passionate" about an area of study because he doesn't know anything about it. And even if he was "passionate" about it (whatever the hell that means), it wouldn't help him. The PhD is a distance event, not a hundred meter sprint.