Which PhD to become algorithmic trader?

[tenaciousj]

What should i study for my phd to become an algorithmic trader? Econometrics? Math? Statistics?

 

[IlyaKEightSix]

You shouldn't pursue a PhD at all if that's the attitude you approach it with.

 

[tenaciousj]

thanks for the help dick

 

[Lyosha]

I've heard Comp Sci works well... High Energy Physics works too... Some form of Electrical/Computer/Systems Engineering perhaps?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

thanks for the help dick

Did you mention that you are only 14 and not 30 as your profile says? There is absolutely no need for foul language on Quantnet.

If you read around this site and other quant forums frequented by experienced finance professionals, it's commonly agreed that people should not do PhD for the sole purpose of getting a job in the industry. Reasons are many but money should not be the main motivator for doing PhD.

 

[neohio]

Did you mention that you are only 14 and not 30 as your profile says? There is absolutely no need for foul language on Quantnet.

If you read around this site and other quant forums frequented by experienced finance professionals, it's commonly agreed that people should not do PhD for the sole purpose of getting a job in the industry. Reasons are many but money should not be the main motivator for doing PhD.

I agree with the foul language portion. this is one of my favorite parts of quantnet, the maturity everyone exudes

 

[tenaciousj]

money is a motivator but not the main motivator. i find algorithmic trading very interesting

 

[IlyaKEightSix]

Well algo trading is not an academic field. There are plenty of disciplines in algo trading--the models (physics), the data (statistics), the implementation of the algorithm (compsci), etc...

Pick something you're truly passionate about and do your research on algotrading.

 

[rishab dhar]

I have heard of numerous courses that specialize in Artificial Intelligence, Parallel computing, etc. But I doubt you'll find any PhD with a focus on trading. Algo trading is simply an application of the above fields.

 

[TBeas]

Maybe you should focus on getting good grades in High school, and getting into a good college first.

 

[tenaciousj]

i had a 3.98 in middle school and have aced 11 of the past 12 sols [same thing as finals]

 

[alain]

i had a 3.98 in middle school and have aced 11 of the past 12 sols [same thing as finals]

Great, keep the good work. Now, try to be creative. Do some research, pick a topic and learn everything about it.

 

[JacobK]

Getting a phd in applied math or statistics won't satisfy you if your goal is to become an algorithmic trader. You need to find a broader interest in a certain phd and be motivated because your interested in the broader subject. If after you finish your phd you want to apply what you learned to algorithmic trading you sure can but you can't go into a phd program with the sole intention of becoming an algorithmic trader unless you are also enthusiastic about the entire program.

Algorithmic trading is a very specialized field but also a multi dimensional one. Like Ilya said,

There are plenty of disciplines in algo trading--the models (physics), the data (statistics), the implementation of the algorithm (compsci), etc...

There are a couple areas algo trading pulls from, although Econometrics isn't really one of them.

Bottom line: You certainly can become an algo-trader with a applied math/CS/statistics phd. Going into undergraduate your best bet is to do an applied math major or a CS one. Both of those should prepare you for an applied math statistics cs phd and evetually to become an algo trader.

 

[tenaciousj]

thanks