Blazing a Quant Trail... a Bit Late

[Quinn Donahoe]

I am starting a PhD program this fall in applied mathematics. There are three advisors at my institution who specialize in mathematics in finance. If I were to choose one of these advisors, do my dissertation on mathematics in finance, would I still be able to land a quant job (and internships along the way) despite going from only a BS math and BS economics as an undergrad and skipping any master's degree (including an MFE)?

This way I could get the whole education for free without paying MFE tuition.

 

[Shadowfox]

Depend on your University and location. Please provide more information

 

[Quinn Donahoe]

Pittsburgh, PA USA at University of Pittsburgh. Their overall math department PhD rating (USNWW) seems to fluctuate between the 50s and low 60s. There are many other applied math focus areas that they have at the department, so please be brutally honest if necessary. Quant finance just seems to be the most lucrative, and before I even think about putting all my eggs in that basket, I want to make sure it's possible to get a job in the field. However, based on the job ads that I am seeing, it would almost appear to be more beneficial making my dissertation focus area numerical methods and scientific computing as opposed to mathematics in finance in order to ensure that I have the adequate programming skills.

 

[alain]

I am starting a PhD program this fall in applied mathematics. There are three advisors at my institution who specialize in mathematics in finance. If I were to choose one of these advisors, do my dissertation on mathematics in finance, would I still be able to land a quant job (and internships along the way) despite going from only a BS math and BS economics as an undergrad and skipping any master's degree (including an MFE)?

Yes. I'll go even further. If you become very good at your chosen topic (regardless what it is), you will find a job no matter of what. However, if you laze it out you won't get anywhere.