Computer Science to Wall Street?

Hey!

I'm currently choosing between UCLA and UMich for a undergad degree in CS. I like CS as a subject but I aim to work in some type of finance related industry, either iBanking or Hedge Funds, in the future. As a CS major, what can I do to make myself more appealing to recruiters?

Thanks!

15 Comments
 

There are some positive connotations with your major (smart and analytical strength) and some negatives (not primarily interested in finance, anti-social). I would try to engage in ECs that would adress these concerns, such as finance related activities/board positions/sports/greek life*.

*Please don't go greek for your resume though, go greek because you think you'd enjoy it.

 

OK, I forgot also two other options: - Do a PhD in CS at the university I am finishing my bachelor's. Focus on financial computing - algorithmic trading and the like. - Do a Msc in Financial math

Thanks in advance for all the suggestions again!

 

Your on the right track. but a more relevant forum for you would be quantnet. try to get into an MFE program, banks/funds recruit from there. Make sure you brush up on calc also. i think your in good shape!

 

careful with the MFE you get pigeon holed very quickly. With a comp sci degree financial modeling is really easy, trust me I'm a comp sci major and my models blow away any of my other associates'. Take finance/econ classes and learn the basics of finance and accounting so u can get through that technical part of the interview. Brush up on some modeling skills through training courses here or TTS so you can talk somehwat intelligently about them. Your best bet to get into wall st inv banking/inv mgmt is through MBA not MFE.

 
socola2003careful with the MFE you get pigeon holed very quickly. With a comp sci degree financial modeling is really easy, trust me I'm a comp sci major and my models blow away any of my other associates'. Take finance/econ classes and learn the basics of finance and accounting so u can get through that technical part of the interview. Brush up on some modeling skills through training courses here or TTS so you can talk somehwat intelligently about them. Your best bet to get into wall st inv banking/inv mgmt is through MBA not MFE.

I disagree. With the right MFE you'll be able to perform well in a wide variety of roles. People from my MFE now work in IBD, quant developmet, trading, quant analytics, quant modeling, PM etc etc. With a top MFE you have real skills with real value.

 

look at MFE placement versus MBA placement in IBD and Asset Mgmt for fuck sake. I agree for quant trading/coding at a hedge fund MFE is the way to go.

Also note that getting into the top MFE (Haas) is probably as hard as HBS, and there are only a handful of top MFE programs whereas there are at 10 top US programs, excluding the intl.

I looked at the MFE it is not a gauranteed step above MBA, the MBA is far more fluid, the netwrk stronger and the overall education more relevant to IBD skills than the pure quant focus of the MFE

 

Eos odio quibusdam delectus eaque ut qui et. Rerum repellat ex praesentium.

Modi labore quis distinctio est est voluptatem. Repudiandae sit error quia ut repudiandae ipsa natus laborum. Vel consequuntur et rerum est ea autem. Tempore corporis labore et est aspernatur ipsam nihil. Enim laudantium optio dignissimos quia. Praesentium est deserunt officiis impedit quibusdam voluptatem. Ut enim et laborum cupiditate occaecati molestias.

Neque nostrum minima dolor voluptatem repellendus ut ad. Provident aut et quisquam maiores. Est magnam perferendis reprehenderit veniam. Ut non est non perspiciatis. Perferendis dolorem aliquam eum excepturi a hic aut esse.

Ullam ipsum hic sit necessitatibus sunt consequatur veritatis ea. Velit praesentium perferendis minus dolores. Odio velit ut autem inventore cum sed. Sunt perspiciatis nemo atque voluptate voluptas ut atque ducimus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”