Computer Engineer want to switch to Quant, please advise

[narasimhagm]

I am working as Software Developer for the past 6 years at one of the software companies in Bangalore. India. I have a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and my exposure to math is limited to graduate level mathematics (Calculus, probability, Fourier Transforms).

I would like to make a career switch as Quant. With respect to that I want to pursue either a course (preferably part-time) in Financial Mathematics in the US. Given this:

1. What are my chances of getting admitted to any of the colleges in USA?

2. Will this be enough to get a job as Quant? Or is a PHD necessary?

3. Is a part-time course considered inferior to a full-time course in quant circles?

4. My current age is around 29 years, Is age a factor? Are there entry level quants who are 33-35 years old?

5. Are there any online courses/book I can follow to increase my probability of being accepted in a Math Finance degree in good college in US?

PS:
1. I prefer part-time course as I have a family to support.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

You can't do a part-time program in the US unless you are a resident or citizen. By law, all international students must study full-time.
Nobody asks if you obtain your degree ft or pt. Some programs will only provide job placement help for its ft students.

Start off with this reading list Master reading list for Quants, MFE - QuantNetwork - Financial Engineering Forum

 

[narasimhagm]

You can't do a part-time program in the US unless you are a resident or citizen. By law, all international students must study full-time.
Nobody asks if you obtain your degree ft or pt. Some programs will only provide job placement help for its ft students.

Start off with this reading list Master reading list for Quants, MFE - QuantNetwork - Financial Engineering Forum

Hi Andy,

Thank you for your quick response, I am planning to work in US as a software engineer and along with that pursue a degree in Mathematical Finance.

What about my age? Will that be a hindrance?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

No. I'm older than you if that makes you feel better.

 

[narasimhagm]

Andy,

I have very little exposure to math, which I learned as part of degree in Computer Science:
1. Basic Calculus (differentation & Integration)
2. Some amount of probability theory
3. Fourier Transforms

Will my background in computer science, and my work as software developer for 6 years be enough to get into a good US college for MFE?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

No. You don't have enough nor recent math. Take a few more courses. Contact the programs you plan to apply on which courses are required for their program.
You can take those from local college.

Search on this forum for the kind of required math people take prior to MFE.

 

[narasimhagm]

Thanks Andy for your answers

 

[elliot]

Hi Andy,

Thank you for your quick response, I am planning to work in US as a software engineer and along with that pursue a degree in Mathematical Finance.

What about my age? Will that be a hindrance?

If you work as a software engineer in a IB or a hedge fund, then the changes of getting into an MFE is better. Also, your employer may reimburse the course fee.

 

[narasimhagm]

If you work as a software engineer in a IB or a hedge fund, then the changes of getting into an MFE is better. Also, your employer may reimburse the course fee.

Thanks elliot, there are practically no hedge funds in India; I will have to move to US on a H1 try finding a job in Hedge fund and get into a MFE