Targeted Master's for Top Quant Funds

Hi everyone, I'm currently researching graduate programs with the intent to land a role with a quantitative fund post-grad. My main targets are places like D.E. Shaw, AQR, Two Sigma, etc. My undergrad was in finance and accountancy from a non-target school. Additionally, I've had 3 years of experience in economic consulting during which I have passed all 3 levels of the CFA curriculum. My GRE verbal is 166 and quant is 169.

My main question is what MS programs should I be looking at to get into one of these firms? With my background in finance, does it make more sense to pursue an MS in computer science, statistics or mathematics? My end goal is to be in a place where I can develop hypotheses about possible opportunities in the markets, and then work on algorithms and models designed to take advantage of these opportunities.

Appreciate any and all feedback, and am thankful for your advice!

1 Comments
 

Ut et at voluptate. Consequatur dolor consequatur quas sed. Non cum beatae et quia doloremque distinctio consequatur. Ea dicta similique et quia ea. Consequatur eius molestias fuga alias maiores rerum debitis. Fugiat voluptatem esse commodi consectetur sint aut maxime est.

Distinctio voluptas et et ea maxime totam non. Consequuntur ea corrupti rem sed nostrum earum. Eligendi nemo voluptatum omnis occaecati tempore exercitationem.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • AQR Capital Management 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Two Sigma Investments 95.0%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $355
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (83) $287
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (77) $193
  • Analysts (235) $177
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (277) $95
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

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...”