Which path to pursue without a solid math background?

[F.Fontana]

I keep a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Finance (University of Modena, Italy) and I am pursuing a Master’s Degree in Quantitative Finance in a medium ranked university (University of Verona, Italy). My goal is to obtain the proficiency needed to become a quant trader trough MSC/MFE and a Ph.D (I surely want to take it) program in Computational Finance or related field.
As you can imagine, I found myself in a tragic situation because of the absence of a certificated mathematical background, including Calculus, Algebra, Geometry (even though I have faced them with my studies) and programming. Following, you can find the “quant” courses I have taken in my Bachelor's Degree and the “quant” courses I will take in the three semesters left:

-Bachelor’s Degree: Economics and Finance
General Mathematics and Mathematics for finance
Basics of Mathematical Finance
Statistics
Basics of Derivatives
Models for Financial Computing (excel)

-Master’s Degree (2 years): QF (GPA expected: between 3.7 and 3.9/4)
Stochastic Calculus for Finance
Matlab Course
Stata Course
Econometrics
Mathematical Finance
Derivatives
Risk Management
Computational Finance

My doubt is about taking another Master’s Degree or MSC in a Mathematics/Stochastic/Programming field before applying for the MFE and Ph.D programs, in order to obtain the competences that I lack (and to get higher probability to be admitted in high ranked successive programs), but I fear to be captured in a sort of "overeducation trap" spending further 1 or 2 years in an another Master's Degree.

I would really appreciate any of yours thoughts about which is the best path to pursue in order to recover the competences that I lack (or to continue with them), with the goal to pursue a career in quantitative trading area.

Got a second question: I had been a successful online poker player for three years with a bit more of 300k€ net profit. Is it ok to put this record in the CV or it sounds something like “He’s a gambler”?


Thank you very much.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

If you make 100K p.a. why change a winning horse?

Seriously, I have developed a Maths Foundation _distance_ course that IMO discusses all the maths and more that any degree program demands

http://www.datasimfinancial.com/course_detail.php?courseId=18

As well as a Numerical Methods course

http://www.datasimfinancial.com/course_detail.php?courseId=47

 

[F.Fontana]

Thank you very much Daniel Duffy.
I had quitted with poker because at a certain point I stopped to feel gratified. Furthermore, this activity took me close to 4 hours per day and it was not sustainable with my academic career. I stopped in order to get myself fully involved with my academic goals, which make me feel accomplished.
What do you think about putting my poker history on CV?
I will give a deep look at your website.

Any further responses would be really appreciated!

 

[Daniel Duffy]

I have no idea to be honest. You must have had a good strategy Maybe talk to some traders beforehand.

Can you email me you secret formula. Mille grazie. Forse in Italiano, nessuno problema?

dduffy AT datasim DOT nl

 

[F.Fontana]

Could anyone try to evaluate this program? http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/ma...-study/msc/pre-masters-diploma-in-mathematics
Given my situation, could it worth spending one year in this program of a medium ranked university, even though it seems to fit perfectly with my profile, before applying for the top MFE/Ph.D programs?
The trouble is that higher ranked similar programs usually requires the background which I lack, and if I apply directly for MFE, I will probably get admitted only in medium profile university.
Does anyone know any similar program from an higher ranked university (preferably in europe)?

Any response would be really appreciated
Thank you

 

[bigbadwolf]

Could anyone try to evaluate this program? http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/ma...-study/msc/pre-masters-diploma-in-mathematics
Given my situation, could it worth spending one year in this program of a medium ranked university, even though it seems to fit perfectly with my profile, before applying for the top MFE/Ph.D programs?
The trouble is that higher ranked similar programs usually requires the background which I lack, and if I apply directly for MFE, I will probably get admitted only in medium profile university.
Does anyone know any similar program from an higher ranked university (preferably in europe)?

You won't get into ranking programs with this diploma.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

You won't get into ranking programs with this diploma.

I could not find the full contents but it looks very basic. The requirements is a 2.2 first degree which probably means that the course is tailored at that level. The word "Calculus" is also worrying in this context.

You should check how watered down the stuff is.

 

[IntoDarkness]

dat diploma teaches the same thing my community college does

 

[bigbadwolf]

I could not find the full contents but it looks very basic. The requirements is a 2.2 first degree which probably means that the course is tailored at that level. The word "Calculus" is also worrying in this context.

It's designed to be a feeder program for their own M.Sc. -- i.e., if someone turns up wanting to enrol in their master's but has no math background except A level math, they'll be instructed to complete the diploma first. No ranking MFE program will accept it.

 

[F.Fontana]

Thank you very much
Alternatively, I could spend 2 years for a MS in a more structured program but I feel sick about thinking that it would add two more year before applying for the Ph.D. Does this path worth attention still considering that I will not be considered in high ranked because of my background?
Do you have any advice for my situation?
The first option seems to be to change path, but it is excluded

 

[Daniel Duffy]

Thank you very much
Alternatively, I could spend 2 years for a MS in a more structured program but I feel sick about thinking that it would add two more year before applying for the Ph.D. Does this path worth attention still considering that I will not be considered in high ranked because of my background?
Do you have any advice for my situation?
The first option seems to be to change path, but it is excluded

At your age two years is a drop in the ocean. Later you start making 5 and 10-year plans.

Get the fundamentals first.