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?

 

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.

Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes.
 
Most Helpful
flawlesslucki:

GT has a student run investment fund where they have a quant sector that you can get placed into. They also place well with Citadel, SIG, and other quant trading firms. The CS program is top notch. I know because I go here.

That's true, but my take having worked in industry is that UIUC does place a lot better into QR-track roles. There's just a bigger critical mass on LaSalle Street and by extension quant finance.

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.

 

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?

 

Placeat tempore voluptatem repellat. Ex dolor sint in aut. Magnam et blanditiis et amet.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 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

March 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

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”