<p>I'm a sophmore at rpi(ranked 44ish i believe) majorin in physics. I want to add math and for graduate school apply to a top math finance graduate program. My GPA is a 3.3, which isn't that high, and i have 2 C's - this is mainly due to my lack of focus/not going to class/not knowing what i wanted to do. I know(and my advisor supports) I can get almost all A's for the rest of the semesters ( i have A's in all the hardest/senior level physics classes in my school). My question is should i retake the classes I have C's in , a lower level physics class and a math class( lin alg), and replace them with A's, or should i leave them and continue taking upper level math and physics classes and get A's in them? How negatively do graduate schools view retaking classes? Also, should I get involved in math research or anything for grad school? I've already been doing physics research and plan to this summer too. Does my GPA hurt my chances at getting into a grad school like columbia? Also, do you guys know other top schools for math finance?</p>
<p>take advanced classes in physics and linear algebra and get A's in those. you want at least a 3.5 if you're thinking of top programs. other good programs that come to mind are courant, cal, cmu, chicago, stanford, and princeton.. there are many others.</p>
<p>Yeah i plan on taking advanced physics courses, including graduate courses. From what my advisor says i should be able to get A's in them. One of my C's is in linear algebra from sophomore year 1st semester- i never went to the class and was extremely lazy about it. Do you think it'd be good to retake it? I know i can definitely get an A in it. I plan on taking advanced math courses too in abstract algebra, analysis, topology, and diff eq courses. Also, should i try getting internships in financial math or can i just keep doing physics research. I do want to leave the option open for physics grad school.</p>
<p>Internship in the financial industry would serve you much better than continued research in physics. Although this is changing, the prevailing attitude used to be that top FE programs wouldn't consider someone without work experience. Roughly put, if you have never taken a Finance course or worked in finance, a lot of ad coms will wonder why you want to do FE.</p>
<p>As far as grades go, I'd say shoot for 3.5, but don't kill yourself for a 3.8. I wouldn't retake a class just because you got a C.</p>