Applied math BS/MS, Some quantitative PhD, or MFE

[crossmath]

Hi, I'm an undergraduate at a top 15 university in the U.S. I'm currently majoring in applied math and statistics and minoring in computer science and economics. I have the option next year to apply to the graduate program to get a masters degree in applied math in 5 years. Would this be a viable program of study to break into quantitative finance or would it be better to get a PhD in a quantitative discipline or an MFE?

The BS/MS program at my school is enticing to me as it would take much less time than a PhD and less money (and probably less time) than an MFE.

Thoughts?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Yes, sounds like a reasonable plan to me if you finish it and become a good programmer at the same time. They are not going to hire you because you took advanced applied math courses. Programming skill is something you must have.

 

[manifolder]

Nice, thanks. I've become pretty proficient in Java and am currently working on R for an internship. Taking the second comp sci class next semester which is in C/C++ which I assume is the meet of quantitative finance.

How important is work experience in C++ for gaining a quant position? Is a minor or major in computer science enough or is work experience required? Also, does it matter what industry your programming experience is in?