stats master in UChicago VS wustl msf q track for quant roles

I am a stats undergrad from Hong Kong, and I recently got admitted to University of Chicago stats master and WUSTL msf q track.
I am leaning towards quant related jobs, but I read some threads on this forum that a master in stats is far from enough for working in a hedge fund. I asked Greg at WUSTL about their summer internship placements, he only gives 5 examples, including equity research in HK and fixed-income analyst in St. Louis. So I guess the placement at WUSTL are not actually quant roles?
Also, I heard from past students at UChicago that they have barely any career service, students have to work very hard and on their own for job hunting. I have no prior quant internships, so I am not sure I can get one without career center's help.

Hope to get some more input :)

 
Best Response

I think there are pros and cons for both programs. As you said the Chicago program is not going have any OCR and you have to find your own way to a job. But University of Chicago is one of the best institutions in the world and Chicago is a great city to find a quant job. WUSTL quant program is almost all international like you so a lot of placements happen internationally. But still you should have access to OCR. I would choose Chicago because of the quality of the institution and try to make my own way into the city but that's probably because I am very familiar with the city.

WUSTL q track is not a true quant finance degree. If want to be a quant, MFE or Mathematics of Finance degrees would be better suited. WUSTL q track is still an MSF with a focus on quantitative finance.

 

No idea. I guess if you have programming skills you might get hired by algo trading firms. Why didn't you apply for Chicago's FinMath program, it has the Chicago name and also not as difficult to get in as other MFE or FinMath programs?

Internships during the school year are not allowed on an F1 Visa so beware of that. This decisions kinda depends on your networking and english skills. If you are confident in them then go ahead and take Chicago but if you are not then go WUSTL.

The WUSTL q track is not a program for true quant job but it should place in S&T and AM jobs. WUSTL is a good enough brand and there is additional advantage of OCR.

I said that I would go there because I am very familiar with the city and have numerous friends who will help me out.

 

I'd agree with the Chicago route. Much better school and reputation (that said I don't know much about the specific degrees you're looking into or how OCR works at either school so take my recommendation with a grain of salt)

 

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