Would full-time S&T experience boost my Master's applications?

the_bsd

the_bsd

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Hi,

I'm in my final year studying a Bachelor's in Financial Mathematics and Statistics at LSE and will graduate with a First Class Honours in the UK.

I will likely be taking a full-time Graduate role on a trading desk (where I'll be using Python for illiquid products) in London later this year, as I cannot defer the offer.

As I am still very interested in pursuing a Master's in Quantitative Finance, will this 1- or 2-year work experience benefit my Master's applications to the U.S., Oxford, and ETHZ later on?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts! :)
 
Sounds like you are getting some relevant work experience.
Take the GRE and do well, have all your math, programming requirement done.
Get some strong recommendation from work, professor and prepare a comprehensive package.
With a first class, work experience, you should make for a strong applicant.
 
The trading desk role won't exactly be a quant position, but just an illiquid trading desk where I'll likely build/use some Python tools.

How competitive would this (and my profile in general with my fin math & stats bachelor's from LSE) still make me for the top 5 U.S., Oxford, and ETHZ programs?

Would it impact me given I won't be coming straight from undergrad but instead after 1- or 2-years in S&T?

(I've read throughout the various trackers for each course but it's still difficult to compare with my current situation exactly)

Thanks again for the responses!
 
The advantage of applying straight out of undergrad is that their math won't be rusty. The longer you stay in the work place, the more they resume you would not be able to keep up with the math.
This is on you to prove otherwise. Some people take pre-MFE courses from Baruch and do well to show they can keep with with MFE level courses.
grxthy

Baruch MFE Thread 'Feedback on plan for building profile for Baruch MFE Fall 2026?'

Hi everyone,

I posted here around a month ago, and have since put together a plan for the next year in order to bolster my application, as well as fill most of the quantitative holes from my undergrad degree. Any feedback/suggestions would be much appreciated!

A little background:
I graduated in 2021 with a BBA in Economics/Finance from Baruch College. My GPA was not good (~3.00), but I’ve since gained 3.5 years of experience in industry. My career so far has been in data engineering, software project management, and data science. I consider myself very proficient in Python, SQL...
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I really appreciate the feedback Andy!

So it sounds like you would advise me to take on some quant-related online courses or projects on the side - when I apply I can then discuss these points to highlight that I'm still maintaining or even improving my math/quant knowledge while working in S&T?

Is there anything else I should be doing and do you think I would make for a competitive applicant?
 
Have a game plan. Ideally, it should start 2 years before your intended enrollment date.
Identify the programs, take the required courses, plan for GRE, take C++ and Python courses, build projects.
Start looking at quant interview books, work on your applications, getting recommenders lined up.
I would suggest by looking at the master reading list. Top candidates are those who can convincingly communicate with the programs about their career plan and why the program is a good fit for them and vice versa.
Many applicants who just discover quant and apply right away will sound very naive. Those will not get into any program.
Andy Nguyen

Thread 'Master reading list for Quants, MFE (Financial Engineering) students'

QuantNet International Guide to Financial Engineering Programs

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  • What do quant do ? A guide by Mark Joshi. (see attachment)
  • Paul & Dominic's Guide to Quant Careers (see attachment)
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  • Career in Financial Markets 2024-2025, a guide by efinancialcareers.
  • Interview Preparation Guide by Michael Page: Quantitative Analysis. Download
  • Interview Preparation Guide by Michael Page: Quantitative...
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