Ready to Take the Finance Plunge

Sorry about the message format, but the spam filter was giving me grief.

History: Salutatorian in high school. Couldn't make it at MIT due to behavioral addictions / immaturity. Switched to no-name school and got BA in computer science with 4.00 GPA.

Took a long time to regain health and motivation, but now at 30 and working for tech startup with a bleak future.

Wants to work in finance really, really badly (preferably as a trader at a hedge fund). Willing to work really long hours for free just to get his foot in the door. Lives in CT but willing to relocate to anywhere in the tri-state area.

Question for wise people knowledgeable in finance:

What should I do? Should I cold-call hedge funds in the area? Or perhaps take the GMAT and get some certifications first? What other courses of action should I consider?

Thanks for the advice.

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