So i posted something similar to this a while ago, but have since done a lot more research and thinking on my future.
I go to penn ugrad, and am deeply considering two specific possible routes for my undergrad education, and would love as many opinions as i can get.
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To continue on my current route of doing solely Finance with a math minor
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Doing a dual degree(2 separate degrees) getting a BA in Math and a BSE in finance and statistics.
pros/cons
1-
pro-i believe i'd be able to obtain a much higher gpa in this track. As my current goal is to attend HBS and get some good interviews in OCR, i feel like gpa is sooo important. I would also have easy course loads enabling me to participate in more activities. Could easily graduate magna cum laude
con- I wouldn't be able to lean about option pricing and wouldn't be able to be the best trader or get a good ibd job in derivatives that i could probs do with the second track.
2 pro- I'd be able to learn all about options, something that i'm really interested in, and would be able to trade and go into derivatives.
cons- low gpa, could get stuck in shit job due to a sub 3.5 gpa. wouldn't have as much time to network/do activities due to tough course load. Wouldn't be able to take the foreign language courses i'd really like to take for fun(even tho they have little implication on my future work).
I do feel like i'd like to get a job relating to the market/derivatives after school, and don't really want to do M&A or consulting. But i also would like to get a top MBA, and from most statistics i've seen, getting a sub 3.6 gpa could ruin my chances of that.
Everyone tells me to do what makes me happy, but honestly, getting a decent job, and going to a top mba after a lil while would make me the happiest.
Sorry for the long post, let me know what you guys think would impress you the most. Someone who graduated with a 3.7 from wharton who took a lot of fun classes like language and some math who got out and met people and had a little more time to network, or a guy who slaved in the classroom to get 2 degrees, studies the market, understands a looot about financial instruments, but might have gotten a 3.4 instead of that 3.7.
thanks
If you do the second option and really end up mastering all the intricacies of derivatives as you plan to, why would you get a low GPA? Seems to me you would do even better in those classes than most.
I thought Penn was considered one of the lower Ivy's unless its Wharton.
I'd go with the guy who graduated with a 3.7 from wharton with a dual major in finance and math, who got out and met people and had time to network, studies the market, and understands a lot about financial instruments.
Those people exist, be one of them. Challenge yourself. If you know that you want to do markets/trading, then the math is almost necessary.
Ideally, which firms are you targeting? I'm guessing based on your interests, your top choices would be citadel, de shaw, AQR, jane street, drw trading.
The reason why this is even an issue, is that wharton's curve destroys gpas. Classes are curved to a b- in most cases, and adding math doesn't really help much. Also, to achieve a dual degree, it takes doing two different school's requirements. This adds up to a lot more courses. So, since i am doing everything in my power to get into HBS's 2+2 program, gpa is important, and so is having time to study for the gmat etc.
to answer the above posts:
1. I am at wharton 2. I Know that i would not be able to get a 3.7 by doing a dual degree. I do have friends who did, and are now doing derivatives at morgan stanley, but i am not at that level.
3. In terms of firms, I really don't know a lot about top prop shops, and i honestly don't have too much interest working there. I feel that they are a great option for a math/cs/engineer who wants to break into finance in my opinion. I think that prestige is a big factor in getting into HBS. Nothing against jane street and the others, but i had never heard of them before coming on this site. Blackstone, mck, gs, ms, jpm, and citadel/silver lake are pretty highly regarded as the top jobs in wharton.
I do know one person who did finance and accounting, and is at blackstone now, so i'm also considering that. But i would want to trade at a bulge bracket bank as opposed to a prop shop i believe.
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