Best Quant Skills to Learn

Hello, I am a high school senior, who loves investing and wants to eventually work as a "Quant" at a Hedge Fund.  All the posts I have read constantly say how hard it is to break into the industry, especially at top firms, so any advice on what to study/read/learn in order to get ahead would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you!

Comments (9)

Most Helpful
  • Quant in HF - RelVal
15d 

The best thing a high school senior can do is to break in Harvard/Stanford/MIT/Princeton and do a math/comp sci major there. 

  • 2
15d 
MedDoc1988, what's your opinion? Comment below:

Congrats on banana #1

  • Quant in HF - RelVal
15d 

Well then chill, solving Putnam problem set for fun. 

Pick up coding if you haven't done so.

None of quant interviews requires you to have finance & economics knowledge, but I would suggest exploring some fundamental concepts. 

15d 
IcedxTaro, what's your opinion? Comment below:

Well then chill, solving Putnam problem set for fun. 

Pick up coding if you haven't done so.

None of quant interviews requires you to have finance & economics knowledge, but I would suggest exploring some fundamental concepts. 

I thought Quant Funds primarily look for Mathematics background when they recruit?

Yes, the young padawan needs to relax and enjoy the college experience.

  • Quant in HF - RelVal
15d 

Yes, they only look for people with math skills.Only math skills will be tested during interviews. 

But reading some economics & finance concepts doesn't hurt.

If only SBF/Alameda knows about liquidity cascade / macro they wouldn't make horredous bets leading to their demise.

15d 
IcedxTaro, what's your opinion? Comment below:

Yes, they only look for people with math skills.Only math skills will be tested during interviews. 

But reading some economics & finance concepts doesn't hurt.

If only SBF/Alameda knows about liquidity cascade / macro they wouldn't make horredous bets leading to their demise.

How advanced in mathematics are we talking about?

I keep hearing about FE MS programs, but I have my doubts on those.  

I read StateStreet and subscribe to The Economist, along with WSJ.  

I was considering Computer Science as a solid background, but double major in Math + CS.  I am comfortable in the basics of Calculus, but not strong enough to go into advanced topics.  How would one study or read more on it?  Or simply take the advanced theory math courses?

Would you be able to walk through an interview process?  Application? 

  • 1
15d 
MedDoc1988, what's your opinion? Comment below:

Watch Youtube videos and invest in yourself by buying internet courses on financial math. Some of them are under $100 and can really advance your skills. This isn't a pitch so idc what resource you use, but they can be really helpful especially for someone as young as you are. The WSO courses are fine, but don't quite give you the whole picture so I'd suggest looking elsewhere. But practically, if you get into Harvard/Stanford/MIT/Princeton you'll be as good as gold and the name brand will more than carry you places into quant roles.

  • 2
15d 
ntobias23, what's your opinion? Comment below:

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