UPenn Math Masters?

I got into UPenn's Masters in Mathematics, competing offers I have are a T20 law school at 40k/year, a fully funded + stipend math PhD at a major public university, and Oxford's BPhil in philosophy program. I don't know what the hell I'm going to do. I go to a severe non-target for my undergrad (BS in math/phil) but have work experience in structured finance. Financially/instrumentally I'm inclined to think the AM in math at Penn would make the most sense. In terms of intrinsic value and personal fulfillment... probably Oxford.

1. I love the campus

2. I'm much more passionate about philosophy than I am mathematics

3. I think that I'd like to go into corporate law and the Oxford BPhil is a great launchpad into a T6 law program

Penn on the other hand does have a great selection of applied courses, eg:

Advanced Applied Probability

Mathematics of Finance

& Numerical and Applied Analysis

What would I be able to do with a masters in math from penn/how hard would it be to get a job on wall st in, eg, structuring CLOs or ABS? I'm still leaning towards Oxford because:

6 Comments
 

If you are planning on going to a T6 law program anyway, I would definitely go to Oxford since you’ll be doing the law program in the US either way I assume (meaning you won’t struggle with landing a job in the US if that is where you want to end up)

If you want to work immediately upon graduation, in the US, go to Penn. If you would like to work anywhere else in the world, go to Oxford

 

How hard would finding a job on Wall Street be after finishing at Penn? Do grad students at the liberal arts college have access to similar resources as Wharton students?

 

Originally my plan was to move over to a structuring role for ABS at an IB or asset manager but that didn't end up panning out... I don't really know where my interests lie, I enjoyed my time working on ABS at a ratings firm, at the same time I think I would do very well as a lawyer and am very attracted to the philosophical side to law. Of course, the Cravath pay scale is very attractive as well:

https://www.biglawinvestor.com/biglaw-salary-scale/

I'd likely want to work on M&A were I to go the legal route or stay in structured finance otherwise.

 

Et qui tenetur eum soluta. Facilis natus quae quas omnis. Neque nemo temporibus reprehenderit eum eligendi voluptatum.

Quo excepturi corrupti non totam. Doloremque vel qui quis consequatur. Sint facere illo velit enim. Et explicabo aut et vitae velit. Et ut possimus impedit neque quo.

Dolor aut odio excepturi qui aliquid eum. Consequatur et placeat rerum aut. Blanditiis officiis sunt corporis aut aut facere maxime.

Incidunt asperiores sit animi neque eos quod amet. Voluptate voluptatem sed eligendi sapiente aut expedita. Ipsa repellendus molestiae quia unde sit aliquam. Voluptatum et dolor corporis voluptates unde odio molestiae et. Voluptatem ea eligendi perferendis non. Minus quasi autem quos eaque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”