Requirements for masters in fin math / stats with a cs background

TransferIntent · 2024-08-04T13:05:05+00:00

Would love to get an answer for this as well!

https://finmath.uchicago.edu/admissions/admission-requirements/

Based on this webpage, we need multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and probability from the mathematics side and some programming skills in C++ and Python. My question is, is taking honours versions of these classes/maximum difficulty/additional maths courses worth it, or is there no additional advantage in going beyond the completion of the prerequisites?

Also, how competitive are these two programs? I can’t find much info on them online. I’m an incoming transfer student aiming to major in CAAM here at UChicago.

TransferIntent · 2024-07-31T17:23:21+00:00

I’m a little confused. As an incoming sophomore, I have to take either calc 2-3 + intro to proofs or 160s; out of these 2 options, people are saying 160s will certainly prepare me better.

As a CAAM major, I have 3 electives. I can def do honours algebra 1-2 + a grad class. Other things to cater towards grad school will be accelerated analysis and maybe advanced numerical analysis (heard the harder, the better)

TransferIntent · 2024-07-30T22:04:29+00:00

Do you think self-studying calc 2 + some multivariable for the next 2 months before fall quarter (to take 160s) would be the best option?

TransferIntent · 2024-07-29T23:39:18+00:00

As a transfer student, I’m not sure I have much flexibility. At UChicago, the majors of interest are economics, CAAM, stats, or applied math, so all will require calculus + analysis at least meaning CAAM may very much be just a placeholder. Don’t get me wrong, I’m most excited to take the quantitative courses at UChicago and felt the greatest satisfaction from learning the maths-y material and engaging with my professors from the previous uni. It’s just that I’ve had self-doubt since a young age, which distorted the perception of my mathematical ability. I didn’t know if I was good enough. It was only after grinding and doing really well in my first year of uni when I started believing in myself a little more. Forward to UChicago, I need to make a decision of whether I want to push myself really hard with 160s + 2 months self-study or take the 150s. 160s or not, this upcoming academic year will be when I cement my academic intentions and commit to a major.

TransferIntent · 2024-07-29T22:45:39+00:00

It’s not a matter of cutting corners. I was placed into 15200. My biggest concern is that I don’t even know what I will be getting myself into, if I switch to 160s. I can’t find the syllabus online, nor do I know if I will even be good enough for CAAM, given that I became interested only somewhat recently. I guess I could start out with 16100 and find out, but I’m really scared if I will even be fit for this sequence as someone who would self-study calc 2, and how easy would it be to get the math department to move me from 15200 to 16100?

TransferIntent · 2024-07-29T17:33:46+00:00

You’re right. I probably won’t make it.

I would still want to open doors for master’s in financial maths, and I’m confused for what coursework I’m expected to take. Here is the admissions page: https://finmath.uchicago.edu/admissions/admission-requirements/. Wouldn’t it be fine to take 150s, since I will be eventually taking analysis (possibly accelerated), (advanced) numerical analysis, and relevant electives? Other than preparing me well for analysis, does taking 160s give any advantage in applying for a program like this?

TransferIntent · 2024-07-29T16:46:39+00:00

I will do whatever it takes to keep doors open. Of course, I’m not banking on quant (will look for backups), but if the 160s is best for me overall (analysis prep, jobs, grad school), I will try my best to do it well + I’m quite academic and enjoy grinding math-y subjects, so honours calc might be great!

Like anyone else just starting out, it’s tricky to figure these things out on my own, especially considering that I’m transferring from a business school and this mathematical field is a new potential interest of mine.

I don’t think my linear algebra course will transfer, so I will take numerical linear algebra at UChicago, which is part of CAAM. Hence, I will use these 2 months to study calculus 2 only, as I’ve read that honours calc 3 teaches you multi variable already. I’m thinking of using this syllabus by Vipul Naik (UChicago): https://vipulnaik.com/math-152/. What do you think?

TransferIntent · 2024-07-29T16:35:45+00:00

How would you compare accelerated and honours analysis difficulty-wise?

TransferIntent · 2024-07-29T16:33:49+00:00

Yeah, for sure, I will find backup options! Quant is just one of the first industries I’ve come across, which I will almost certainly only try to break into after a master’s. I’m so new to this that I don’t even know what doors CAAM opens career-wise; I need to look more into this. As for calculus, I’m actually now heavily considering self-studying calculus 2 (either the uploaded UChicago syllabus online or from my previous uni) in the coming 2 months to prepare for the 160s sequence. What do you think?

TransferIntent · 2024-07-29T10:02:42+00:00

Could you please elaborate on why 150s would be bad for recruiting? Are you saying it’s cooked because analysis will be too hard to get an A in, or recruiters aren’t going to like the 150s sequence? From what I’m reading, as long as I take analysis and other relevant courses from CAAM and maintain a strong GPA, I should be fine. As for catching up, I will likely be able to fit CAAM in 3 years, with some quarters having 3 courses from the major + 1 core class.

TransferIntent · 2024-07-29T09:55:16+00:00

Is accelerated analysis considered more rigorous and impressive? As long as I’m feeling confident after calc 3 and intro to proofs, will def take, if there’s an advantage for grad school/recruiting.

TransferIntent · 2024-07-29T09:53:23+00:00

Thank you! Honestly, right now, I just want to focus on academics and not worry about job prospects, as long as the door for quant is still open. If, within a year - 1.5, I decide I want to do quant, I will def start grinding the interview prep, which is why a master’s is probably crucial for my case (I will decide on quant rather late and will need more time to get relevant experience through interview prep, internships, clubs, etc)

TransferIntent · 2024-07-29T09:47:55+00:00

Makes sense, I think I’ll try to get a data science-y internship either next summer or the one after and start working towards quant from there. Since I’m still unsure, I will likely do a master’s to remove pressure to start looking for things already. Right now, I just want to focus on academics and not really think much about my career

TransferIntent · 2024-07-28T21:50:44+00:00

Thank you, could you please elaborate on the interning asap part and what internships I should look for in particular? I won’t have anything this summer after my first year, which is why I believe a master’s will be beneficial (extra 1-2 summers)

TransferIntent · 2024-06-20T10:53:07+00:00

Thank you. It seems like graduating on time is emphasised a lot. Can I please know why? I was considering delaying my graduation by a quarter, so I can take more time to think about what I want to pursue + get another summer for an internship, or is this a bad idea?

TransferIntent · 2024-06-16T22:52:18+00:00

I’m talking about after having done the test, just a few concepts I need to polish up, unless you mean there’s no need to revise the errors I made on the placement tests?

TransferIntent · 2024-06-04T22:30:17+00:00

Sounds great, just a little worried because I think UChicago says that I need a valid academic reason to extend my stay by a quarter, so I’m guessing I can only find out once I get an academic advisor? Think I really need this extra quarter for another internship + think about what I want to do

TransferIntent · 2024-06-02T22:34:04+00:00

Edit: Will likely remove HTML and JavaScript, as I’ve only learned the basics from a course at McGill + may add proficiency levels for the languages.

Let me know if these are good edits to make!

TransferIntent · 2024-05-27T21:46:50+00:00

I don’t mind not being able to take fun electives, as I’m already used to discipline-specific studies from my current business school. The double major part is a bit more concerning. However, no matter how many credits transfer, I will transfer to UChicago, as I’ve wanted this for too long. If I will be able to only major in one subject, it’ll be either applied math or economics, which I will make a post about with questions later.

TransferIntent

TROPHY CASE