I’m pretty interested studying some kind of financial engineering, computational finance, quantitative finance, or whatever other name it’s given in college, but I’m not sure which colleges have the best programs, especially ones that would fit my strong suits. I have a pretty strong foundation in math, I might be a little rusty in comp sci (took AP Comp Sci sophomore year, highest comp sci class offered at my school), and while I’m not completely knowledgeable in finance, I’m interested to learn more. Here’s my academic background:
Class rank: 20/379
GPA (UW/W): 3.8958/4.4010
SAT: 2100 R/W/M: 620/700/780
ACT: 33 E/R/M/S: 32/28/36/35
AP: Comp. Sci (5), BC Calc (5), US Gov (5), Macro (4), Lang (4)
Senior Year Schedule:
AP Physics C (planning to self-study and take E&M exam as well), AP Micro, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, Multivariable Calculus (AP Weighted), Dual Enrollment Comp 101&102, and Dual Enrollment World History
1.) Which programs could I fit into with these stats? I’ve looked at CMU and Princeton, but they look pretty competitive.
2.) Also, I’ve seen that a lot of these programs are ones that you apply to at the end of you freshman year or sometime during your sophomore year. In the meantime, what kind of major should I pursue in the mean time? I was thinking maybe a double major in CS and Math and a minor in Finance?
Many Industrial Engineering programs include a lot of Financial Engineering. Use http://main.abet.org/aps/Accreditedprogramsearch.aspx to find Industrial Engineering programs.
What are your career goals?
Maybe CS and Stats? Stats is pretty important to finance. Have a look at Applied Math as well and see if the courses are what you want.
What is your home state? How much will your parents pay each year?
You have a M+CR of 1400 and an ACT 33.
What is your career goal?
What is the difference between Financial Eng’g and Finance with Math Stats minor or similar?
@mom2collegekids I live in NJ, not exactly sure how much my parents are willing to pay. Also, you mentioned my SAT and ACT scores; how might those affect my chances?
@Woandering still haven’t thought about long-term career goals
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live in NJ, not exactly sure how much my parents are willing to pay. Also, you mentioned my SAT and ACT scores; how might those affect my chances?
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You need to ask your parents. Their answer AND your stats will largely determine where you should apply.
SAT and ACT are usually pretty important in college admissions.
Why would you look for something so specific as financial engineering if you aren’t sure where you’re going with it? Do you have a good idea of what financial engineering is?
I suggest just going for a combination of either CS/Math/Stats/Econ. That will keep your options wider open, and you can still do Quant/IB, which is where financial engineering usually leads.
@mom2collegekids My parents say they’ll send me to whatever school gives me the most money, but I can’t imagine them refusing to let me take out a loan to go to a good college. As for stats, I guess what I’m asking is whether my stats are good enough to compete for and fit into a financial engineering program at a top college like Carnegie Mellon or Princeton?
You can certainly apply to P and CMU. Look at where your ACT hits their score ranges. You’re about the middle of the middle quartiles. It’s a crapshoot. How strong are your ECs?
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but I can't imagine them refusing to let me take out a loan to go to a good college.
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Well, that depends. They would have to cosign any loan greater than $5,500. And, actually borrowing more than that isn’t a good idea.
@mom2collegekids ECs are ok, I don’t do a lot of activities, but the ones I do do I stay committed to. I’ve done marching band for 4 years and will be doing tennis for my 3rd year this year (hopefully 2nd year varsity) after not making the team freshman year
You also have Stevens right in NJ with an excellent Quantitative Finance program. With your stats you should get good merit money.
https://www.stevens.edu/business/academics/undergraduate/majors/quantitative-finance