UIUC vs Georgia Tech for CS undergrad (interested in quant trading/research)
Unless by some miracle I get off one of my waitlists, my choice is between these two schools. I'm currently looking at their respective programs, how many of my APs transfer, what research goes on in the department, and so on.
I'll be studying AI and data science and stuff but I'm interesting in trying to go into quant trading/research after undergrad. As far as that goes, which is stronger prestige-wise and in terms of finance-related internships? How much do those things even matter for quant roles?
I can't compare it to UIUC but I am a GT grad and will tell you that Tech computer science is absolutely amazing and you also get a small cultural dose of Southern living and Division 1 athletics. Happy to answer any GT related questions.
Adding IlliniProgrammer to opine on UIUC.
How good is recruiting from GT? Or is my understanding of recruiting basically flawed and in fact all colleges of this tier get all the important companies to show up, with your results mostly based on personal ability?
There isn't a tech firm out there that wouldn't recruit a GT CS grad. Of course it also depends on your ability but the curriculum is second to none.
I also enjoyed living in midtown Atlanta (may not be to everyone's taste) and I loved the football, basketball, and general sportiness of the campus. It is basically all nerds to some degree, although there are fraternities, the frattiest people go to UGA regardless. As an all nerd school, a lot of people could really come out of their shell and socialize for perhaps the first time. This may not be as relevant in 2020 as it was in 2005, when for lack of a better word, nerds and associated computer science culture were simply not as accepted.
I would strongly recommend physically visiting both campuses and talk to students on the ground.
Both are terrific schools for CS.
If either is in-state, go with the in-state tuition ftw.
If not, UIUC at least gets you into Chicago prop trading.
Neither is in-state. They'd cost a similar amount.
I don't know what prop trading is, actually . . . but that sounds. How does shooting for a quant job after undergrad work, generally? What skills should I have acquired by then, besides the required math and programming?
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Placing well with those firms sounds cool. The decision is becoming harder but it looks like I have two great options anyway.
What type of stuff helps you get these types of placements?
Look, we're debating Dartmouth vs Columbia here. They're both excellent schools. I think the calculus leans very slightly in one direction, but that's based on geography rather than the quality of the program or the students. I also have my biases, too.
This is a decision that ought to come down to more basic stuff like cost and how much you like the campus. But UIUC has a very modest edge for LaSalle Street, and LaSalle Street is material when it comes to landing opportunities for QR.
How significant a difference is the recruiting to QR-track roles? Isn't Chicago fairly far from U-C?
I would go to UIUC. The culture of the university is fantastic and if you care about having a fun time outside of school, Illinois is the clear choice.
I've heard this also. And that there are 50k students! Coming from a small high school this sounds amazing.
Would you say that opportunities are more based on individual qualifications than on differences in schools like I'm trying to discern here?
I'm biased because I have a lot of friends at Illinois, but I think the opportunities exist at both universities. It totally depends on your internal drive and motivation to get the job. Also, the Siebel Center at UIUC is a lit building.
Is it true that Georgia Tech career service has connection only in the southwest area and that jobs in Chicago, Boston or NY are almost impossible to get?
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