Ivey HBA + CS/Financial Modelling vs Waterloo + Laurier Math (Mathematical Finance)/BBA

Interests: Stock analysis, creating strategies for investing, investment analysis.

Want to end up in the buy side (most prolly HFs with AM for a close second). Interested in pursuing CFA/ CAIA and MBA sometime in the future.

Also, definitely want to explore IB (possibly PE too; both for 2-4 years) + the fact that these provide excellent exit opps to HFs/AM is a bonus.

Route 1: IB -> PE -> HF/AM
Route 2: ER/S&T (Is this relevant for my goals?) -> MBA/ CFA -> IB/HF/AM
Pls suggest other suitable trajectories.

Ivey :
IB/PE - Best
AM/PM - Good
S&T, ER - Decent

Waterloo:
IB/PE - Decent
AM/PM - Good?
S&T, ER - Best

My thoughts: Being extremely interested in different strategies and in understanding the intricacies of investing, I am extremely keen to gain technical knowledge, like that of Mathematical Finance, and I feel all roles appreciate such a background.

However, IB/PE is something I really want to explore as well, and I feel only these roles provide a realistic transfer to HFs/AM. So, maybe a strong target school like Ivey can help me target IB/AM in undergrad, and then I can pursue a CFA or MBA to further fortify my entry into more prestigious firms? But if things dont work out, I wouldn't be able to pursue quant or the technical expertise I always wanted to learn. 
 
Q1. What undergad education would be the best for the aforementioned goals?
Q2. Where do Quants fit in this equation, and is the transition to/from them applicable in this dynamic? If yes, pls suggest a route including them.

Thank you for reading! :)
I would appreciate a prompt reply as my offer acceptance date is soon!!
 

Region
4 Comments
 

Nihil accusantium rerum rerum molestiae error ut occaecati. Eos dignissimos corrupti est blanditiis. Veritatis sapiente laborum vel aut laboriosam repellendus expedita. Officiis ipsam rerum ut id repudiandae corrupti consectetur. Omnis ut illum non fugiat quis consequatur ut et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • Millennium Partners 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Blackstone Group 96.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.1%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.2%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.3%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $192
  • Analysts (240) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (28) $146
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”