Finance v. Finance + Math?
Next fall I will be starting a finance major at a semi target school, but my parents really want me to add a math major on top of it. Since I want to work in either private equity or hedge fund when I’m older I know I should be shooting for first getting into a top BB. With this in mind would it be best for me to go for just the finance major and devote the rest of my time towards networking or should I add on a math major which could take some of my time away and hurt my gpa (if it helps I got a 760 math on the SAT)?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to consider:
Adding a Math Major: Pursuing a double major in finance and math can be a strong combination, especially if you're targeting roles in private equity or hedge funds. Math demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which are highly valued in quantitative roles. However, keep in mind that higher-level math courses tend to be abstract and logic-based, which can be challenging and time-consuming. If you're confident in your math abilities (as indicated by your strong SAT math score), this could be a worthwhile investment.
Impact on GPA: Adding a math major could potentially lower your GPA if the workload becomes overwhelming. Since GPA is a critical factor for landing top BB internships and roles, you need to weigh the risk of a lower GPA against the added value of a math major.
Time for Networking: Networking is crucial for breaking into top BBs and eventually private equity or hedge funds. If adding a math major significantly reduces the time you can dedicate to networking, it might not be the best move. Networking often plays a bigger role than academics in securing interviews and offers.
Alternative Approach: If you're hesitant about committing to a full math major, consider taking a few advanced math or proof-based courses as electives. This can give you exposure to the rigor of math without the full commitment of a double major. It also allows you to showcase quantitative skills on your resume.
Career Alignment: For private equity and hedge funds, a finance major alone is sufficient for most roles, especially if you excel in networking and internships. However, if you're considering more quantitative roles (e.g., quant hedge funds), a math major or strong quantitative background becomes more critical.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your confidence in managing the workload, your career goals, and your ability to balance academics with networking. If you believe you can handle the double major without compromising your GPA or networking efforts, it could set you apart. Otherwise, focusing on finance and leveraging your time for networking and internships might be the better path.
Sources: Should I change my major from finance to math if I love both subjects? Why or why not?, Majoring in Wall Street?, Finance Degree Worth More Than Accounting Degree?
bumping to try to get a response.
Can you just backload the math requirements. Realistically, you’ll need the time, especially in this market, and the Gpa.
Thank you so much for the comment! I never even thought of doing this but looking on the school’s website, even if I started at Calc 1 I would still have to do intro to abstract math & intro to abstract algebra in sophomore spring and junior fall respectively. Do you think that this is manageable enough to still have a good enough GPA & be able to network?
All of your recruiting is going to take place in sophomore fall and winter. So I would say that it could be doable. Most banks don’t check GPA after the offer. They check it during the application. So I would say I could see that being fine
It all depends what you can handle and excel at.
If you can maintain strong grades with both the finance and math majors it will be viewed favorably / a differentiator coming from a semi-target. The math major will also keep more quantitative finance masters options to the extent you find you need to trade-up school brand (eg Princeton or MIT MFins, Oxford MFE, etc. all of which require extensive math training).
That said if the math major is going to nuke your GPA it won’t be worth it. If you’re at a clean cut target I’d say it’s not worth it, just maximize GPA, but coming from semi or non-target it’s an interesting differentiator and keeps options open.
Thank you so much for the response! What do you think is the GPA cutoff for keeping the math + finance double major?
I would say 3.7 or so
Wait, are you saying that you recruit for the internship that happens the summer after junior year (the one your supposed to convert to FT offer) in sophomore year?
Sorry, meant this to be a response to ‘assistant in legal’
A math degree won't help you much. You don't learn really anything that is directly relevant. However, once you get passed your introductory math courses, you move from "merely" doing formulas to proving the math is correct. Learning how to be good with proofs is useful in an indirect sense, but you should not view math as a notch in your belt.
Yeah, I’ve heard that IB isn’t really that math heavy.
The math of IB is stuff any reasonably competent high schooler can get their hands around. The math doesn't get that far beyond arithmetic and some elementary algebra.
But there are potential soft benefits to learning advanced math. Is it worth the cost? Probably not. But you shouldn't only view a math degree, from a pure "job training" perspective, as a negative. It is "just" likely a net negative.
Don’t do it. Maybe you’re a genius but a math major is I think the highest cognitive strain most college educated people will ever have the opportunity to engage in. There is no reason to do it. Just take one proof based linear algebra class or analysis class or something. It will give you all the problem solving skills that a math major gives you and you’ll be so glad I stopped you from doing the whole major, which, again, sucks absolute balls.
Yeah, I am starting to lean away from the math major because I was already not totally confident that i had the intellectual competence to complete it. I think it’s just better to, like you said, take one or two of the courses and focus the rest of my time on networking + clubs.
Realistically if you don’t easily get an 800 on the math section of the SAT you might struggle as a math major. That said i’d still recommend taking some math and cs classes that you find interesting to get a feel for it.
Got it. I definitely wouldn’t say all of math comes extremely easy to me. Currently taking BC calc and averaging B+ to A- so I’m definitely not a genius. I’ll try one or two math/CS classes once I go to college. Thank you!
Current math + business double major. Have had bankers tell me my degree is “sexy” on networking calls so I think it’s definetly looked favorably upon. That said it’s a really hard major so unless ur both interested and competent I wouldn’t risk it.
Got it!
Do you actually enjoy math? If IB or PE weren’t for you, would you want to work in the kinds of roles a math degree can open up?
I mean math is my favorite subject in school but then again, it’s not ‘real’ math. I feel like the only way that I’ll actually be able to tell if I like math is if I actually take calculus 3/linear algebra.
If IB & PE didn’t ended up being for me I’d probably go into trading. I like keeping up with the news, speculation, and would probably enjoy the math involved. Not sure which trading I’d do though and am not even sure if I’d be a good trader.
If IB/PE weren't for me id try to go in other areas of finance like AM/HF(what id probably go for)/CO/VC. If I realized that these weren't for me either then id probably go to something with math like engineering or software, although as of now I can't see myself doing anything other than finance.
Would you consider a math minor? Not sure how it as at your school but at mine it’s only an extra 5 classes and you don’t have to take the insane gpa killers (real analysis for example). you can def maintain a high gpa taking linear alg/calc3/discrete. Math major would tank most people’s gpas unless they’re a genius tbh.
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