<p>"What's the fastest way to become a hedge fund millionaire? According to several aspirants, it may be getting a degree from the Bendheim Center for Finance at Princeton University. The center, founded by the Federal Reserve chairman, Ben Bernanke, in 1999, offers undergraduates a certificate program in finance and also grants masters and doctorate degrees. It includes courses in mathematical finance, econometrics, probability, and other topics that are, in essence, just the ticket for those wanting to join the hedge fund gravy train."</p>
<p>Not that "popular" if only 25 are admitted each year. Mlore like a boutique. Rather fewer than the typical class at Stanford Business School, let alone Wharton or HBS!</p>
<p>At the undergrad level, it's only a certificate (a competitive-admissions one at that). At the graduate level, you can get a M.Fin.</p>
<p>Basically as an undergrad, you take a bunch of econ, math, ORFE, etc. classes and specialize in some field (e.g. corporate finance, banking, etc.). I know a good group of people doing it, so I assume it's popular.</p>
<p>Well, your chances of getting a trading job are difficult enough to begin with even as a HYPS undergrad and MBA experience (actually, for a quant, PhD or something of the like is probably better), so for undergraduate, it's close to impossible to get. I'm sure the Finance certificate will help a bit; in that sense, Princeton might have an edge, but I doubt enough to give any significant advantage to the earner of the degree.</p>