Thoughts on Quantitative Finance Concentration vs. Finance and Accounting Double Major

Hello WSO,

I am a semi-target sophomore primarily interested in ER and IB with hopes of eventually moving to the buy-side. I am looking for advice on which major to pursue:

OPTION 1: Quantitative Finance Concentration

• Requires 6 additional math course (Calc, differential equations, applied statistical models, etc.)

• Requires 3 additional computer science course (R, Python, SQL (I think?), etc) + data mining

• Will dictate a large portion of my finance electives towards portfolio management and risk management courses.

• Will take full 4 years to graduate (compared to graduating early with Option 2)

• Will take up most of my "elective" courses created from taking APs in high school

• Some Wall Street firms recruit specifically out of this concentration (they only ask for resumes of kids in the program)

• On average lowers GPA by 0.1 - 0.2

• It seems much more difficult and impractical to self-study a significant amount of math as listed above.

OPTION 2: Finance and Accounting Double Major

• Accounting is the language of business and is very practical for ER and IB (I believe)

• Accounting provides some sort of stability if Wall Street temporarily freezes hiring (I will have enough credits to take CPA exam)

• More flexibility within finance electives

• Less math on my transcript (which I see as a negative)

• I won't stand out in an applicant pool

• More room to take intellectually stimulating courses outside of finance (political science, public policy, economics, etc.)

• I figure that those languages are not impossible to learn outside of school

• Not taking Option 1 seems like it won't hurt me too bad for ER and IB recruitment specifically

• I will be able to graduate early

Right now, I am leaning towards Option 2 but I would appreciate any advice from those currently on the street in case I am not seeing any important points.

Thanks in advance!