Straddling quant & non-quant schools

I'd love to hear from some other applicants, former or current, that are straddling both non-quant & quant schools. I've gone from a quant list, to a non-quant list, then back to a quant list, until I finally mix and matched. Despite being warned over and over again that this is a terrible idea, I'm ridiculously interested in both types of programs & job prospects; my background is the only big question mark here. I already have the list of math prerequisites burned to the inside of my eyelids, so I'm more so interested in hearing how other applicants in the same boat are rationalizing their application lineup. Any advice is also welcomed!

 

I did a humanities major and then a quant finance masters, I think I'm the better for it. You get to have some fun, meet some pretty girls and get drunk with the former and hopefully get some perspective on life, then you can get down to business with the latter, if you work hard enough and are smart enough, you'll pick up the maths... the only hard bit is persuading people that the last part is possible.

IMO most quant jobs, while glorified and well-paid, are really pretty boring though.

 
chocolatebear:
I did a humanities major and then a quant finance masters, I think I'm the better for it. You get to have some fun, meet some pretty girls and get drunk with the former and hopefully get some perspective on life, then you can get down to business with the latter, if you work hard enough and are smart enough, you'll pick up the maths... the only hard bit is persuading people that the last part is possible.

IMO most quant jobs, while glorified and well-paid, are really pretty boring though.

This is really encouraging. I'm assuming you did the math background in your own time? I have no doubt I would enjoy the quant programs out there. Given that the pre-requisites can definitely be fulfilled without a physics/engineering background (with the right commitment), I'm surprised I'm not hearing from more applicants that fall somewhere in between.

 
chocolatebear:
I did a humanities major and then a quant finance masters, I think I'm the better for it. You get to have some fun, meet some pretty girls and get drunk with the former and hopefully get some perspective on life, then you can get down to business with the latter, if you work hard enough and are smart enough, you'll pick up the maths... the only hard bit is persuading people that the last part is possible.

IMO most quant jobs, while glorified and well-paid, are really pretty boring though.

Wow. How did you pull that off? Did you take the required math courses at a local college while working? What kind of work are you doing now?

 
chocolatebear:
I did a humanities major and then a quant finance masters, I think I'm the better for it. You get to have some fun, meet some pretty girls and get drunk with the former and hopefully get some perspective on life, then you can get down to business with the latter, if you work hard enough and are smart enough, you'll pick up the maths... the only hard bit is persuading people that the last part is possible.

IMO most quant jobs, while glorified and well-paid, are really pretty boring though.

I too am interested in what you did and are doing now! Story time....

 

Idk what quant program this guy did but sounds ridiculous. How could you ever get a true understanding of QUANTITATIVE finance without a math background. Sorry I don't think you can just pick up learning a Taylor series casually on the side while learning it's real world application.

 
jktecon:
Idk what quant program this guy did but sounds ridiculous. How could you ever get a true understanding of QUANTITATIVE finance without a math background. Sorry I don't think you can just pick up learning a Taylor series casually on the side while learning it's real world application.

To be fair, it's kind of the same boat I'm in. My economics degree is primarily macroeconomic, only going up to single variable calculus. Everything else was done in my own time on a non-degree basis, between Econ classes. With enough forethought, it's doable... Then again, I'm not in a program yet, so I won't jinx it. I guess we'll wait for ocolatebear to chime in!

 

Quia esse distinctio molestiae expedita ab. Et voluptate non quia placeat harum iste.

Dolores labore temporibus cumque ea et ea. Atque accusantium reprehenderit soluta dolore neque molestiae dolore. Velit impedit voluptas vero nihil itaque rerum suscipit. Officiis repellendus odio ut provident quia. Ea perspiciatis cupiditate reiciendis saepe corporis at eius.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
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...”