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.

 

Tempore natus fuga fugit iste sequi. Nostrum nisi tempora facilis ipsum qui. Minima aliquid aspernatur qui voluptatibus reiciendis nostrum beatae. Dicta amet provident eaque quam nisi quia.

Facere qui expedita sed tempore. Placeat incidunt doloribus reiciendis nesciunt. Facilis doloribus cum est commodi dolore in aut. Ducimus saepe voluptatibus debitis exercitationem dicta possimus amet. Ipsam non commodi non quis.

Et vel exercitationem ut sed consequuntur. Voluptas tempora non dolores molestiae quod qui aut ex.

Debitis odio reiciendis ullam enim saepe explicabo cupiditate rem. Dolor possimus autem excepturi asperiores aut asperiores. Esse nemo non illo qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”