Questions on a few things (IB/PE/HF/etc)

<p>Hello there, good day to all of you.</p>

<p>I have a couple of questions that pertain to what I want to do in the future, but first, I'd like to add to my background and what I have contemplated for college.</p>

<p>So, to start, I'm from Illinois. When I graduate from college I would like to remain in Illinois and work here, specifically in Chicago. Therefore, my two main universities of choice are Northwestern University and University of Chicago. I want to double major in Economics and Mathematics. While I am at the university I want to work hard and get internships in the area that I will decide on after I have done some more research, to see where I want to really be. Since I will be working in Chicago and in Illinois, my main choices are investment banks, which have local offices here, such as UBS; private equity firms (I'm not too sure about the big ones here, if you know, please enlighten me.); and of course hedge funds, such as Citadel.</p>

<p>Now I would like to go on to my questions.</p>

<p>First of all, considering that I would like to land a job somewhere in investment banking, private equity, or hedge funds, I would like to know what is my best option as an undergraduate double major? I hear Economics and Mathematics are good together and also Economics and Computer Science. What do you guys think? I cannot decide between the two of these, I've hit a wall. I'm interested in both but I want to know which one will be of more use in practice and in the field.</p>

<p>My next question is regarding IB/PE/HF. I want to know: what's the best if I want to have a decent income after graduation? ..and, of course, which of them has the best opportunities of promotion for being dedicated and hard working? Also, which areas within IB/PE/HF are good? (ex: StatArb for hedge funds)</p>

<p>What are the top firms for IB/PE/HF in Chicago? Also, please let me know if there are any other big investment firms that are not IB/PE/HF..</p>

<p>Will there be a downside for choosing Northwestern instead of UChicago and vice versa? Will I have equal recruiting / internship opportunities at both schools?</p>

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<p>I apologize for all the questions, but I'd rather be knowledgeable in the present time than to be ignorant, find out later, and be full of regrets.</p>

<p>I'm looking forward to see the comments and suggestions.</p>

<p>Sincerely,
Steven B.</p>