DePaul vs. IIT vs. Loyola in MS CS for prop trading, etc.

DePaul vs. IIT vs. Loyola in MS CS for prop trading, etc.

How are these three schools viewed in the trading/banking community in chicago area? I am thinking about getting a MS in Computer science to get more experience in quant. I had a econ and math degree in undergrad and worked at a trading brokerage firm. My goal is eventually working as a more quant-focused analyst or software developer at a prop trading firm and move to hf eventually if possible.

What do you think?

9 Comments
 
Best Response

I don't know much about CS at any of these schools, but they are not going to be heavily recruited; you will need to make your own opportunities through networking.

IIT seems strongest for CS academically, but I have heard good things about DePaul's alumni loyalty. DePaul is also downtown if you want to try for an academic year internship.

Are you tied to these 3 schools? Also, have you considered a PhD? It will take longer, but it will open up more quant roles and not cost you ~50k+. There exists a glut of CS professionals wanting to move into finance; to stand out, a phd would help.

 

I am still waiting from NW and U of Chicago. The reason I consider these three is because I already got into them.

How would you guys compare

Academics from IIT vs. better reputation in the business community of DePaul in Chicago area?

I know both are important, but if I have to choose one to get into trading or banking, which would be my best bet?

I came from a non-target undergrad and I know how hard it is to network to land a job when no one recruits on your campus, but academics is also important to me since for computer science, i do want to have a solid background.

 

I would avoid IIT, Depaul and Loyola, especially IIT since it seems to be more for working professionals and for people who are ALREADY working in Chicago. But if you are after placement, I would shoot higher, i.e. UIUC.

 

I am looking other options indeed. I think I will have a pretty good chance to get into MFE or MSFM in U of Chicago or UIUC. However, I cannot decide which benefits me more if I want to become a quant or work at a trading/hedge fund in the future. I get that MFE or MSFM are more focused on becoming a quant, but since I already have a background in econ/math/finance, should I try to become more technical to look into cs program in the long-run?

Any ideas? Any insights from current quant/algo traders are indeed appreciated.

 

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