Msc Finance Bocconi VS bachelor Maths EPFL, for trader

Hello,

Background of the post :
//www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/second-undergrade

Since then my position has evolved, I'd like to switch career to Trading

So I passed a gmat, got a normal score, and got accepted in the Msc Finance of Bocconi in Milan.
I also was accepted in the Bachelor in maths of the EPFL in Lausanne.

I initially though that this Msc would be enough to get a summer and then a graduate in a trading position of a bank (maybe BB) but now it seems that Msc place far better in M&A than S&T... so I'm having second though.
I really wonder if my level in maths and info at the end of the Msc will be good enough to be accepted in a trading position (I could apply for a second MFi more quantitative based after the first one maybe)

On the other hand I could do the bachelor in maths of the EPFL (3 years) and be sure to have a nice level, then apply for a one year MFI program then get the position of trader.

What is your opinion if cost is not an issue (nearly free in Switzerland, and scholarship in Italy) and I don't mind starting "late" (well kind of, it sucks being the youngest in the firm I've had enough)

Thanks

 
Best Response

It's true that the majority at Msc Finance Bocconi goes to M&A, but mostly because fewer are interested in S&T; good candidates that applied to S&T positions eventually got a BB internships this year. Anyway, Msc Finance at Bocconi is really quantitative-based, I don't think you can find another Msc with the same level of maths, statistics and econometrics, and all this quant stuff is much more than what is required for a job in trading (I don't think a trader would have even heard about Bekk models or Markov-switching DCC-Garch or whatever is taught in Econometrics or Quantitive Finance, actually).

 

Oh really ? That would be a good news, thanks . Then percentage wise is the "success rate" similar ? (Sidenote are you a student there ? ) did the S&T internship they got were for T than S ?^^

What would constitute a good candidate ? For example I'm also a bit worried about my informatics skill (the master doesnt seems to develop them much) which seems very appreciated in prop trading floor to say nothing of pure prop trading firm..

How much CS skill do we need, say to be considered a "good candidate for trader in a BB ? Is it possible to learn by oneself such skill in a year or two (or do you really need 3-4 years of bachelor to get anything usefull ?)

 

Still the same question:

Downright funny, I've been refused the need based scholarship from the bocconi. It's just a big LOL, seriously I had to explain to my parent that they were rich. (The decision is outright outrageous considering the financial situation I'm in, but hey its Italy, they refuse to reveal the "criterias" upon which this decision is based)

So now given one of the option is no more free what would your recommend ?

 

I guess your from Europe so you should know better how less value do bachelors degree hold here. You need masters degree to be considered seriously.

Secondly, EPFL is not a strong target school (even in Switzerland). Most banks get their quants from ETH Zurich. Bocconi has that continental reputation with banks you can leverage.

If money is not a problem and you need something very quantitative I would say Imperial's Msc Finance or US based MSF programs.

 

Thank you

Yeah Europe sucks :) it does give a strange feeling to say "I'm going to study finance in Italy", a bit like saying "I'm going to study economy in Greece".

I didn't know that for EPFL.

I created a sheet to check the maths requirement of different MSF US and of the Bocconi. And what strikes out is that the MSF have much higher quant requirement in a way it seems they only look for maths, CS, hard science major undergrad.

With the Bocconi do you think I could have the maths level required to apply to US MSF ?

Second, it disturbingly seems to me that trader (in bank or prop trading firm) are all ingeneer, only exception is a business major guy (ESSEC in France) but who did a 3year maths (licence) on the side. So he also had his fair share or computing and maths skills.

I see not CS class in Bocconi, do you think I can taught myself some language , or would you recommand to find class ?

 
libetarian:
Thank you

Yeah Europe sucks :) it does give a strange feeling to say "I'm going to study finance in Italy", a bit like saying "I'm going to study economy in Greece".

I didn't know that for EPFL.

I created a sheet to check the maths requirement of different MSF US and of the Bocconi. And what strikes out is that the MSF have much higher quant requirement in a way it seems they only look for maths, CS, hard science major undergrad.

With the Bocconi do you think I could have the maths level required to apply to US MSF ?

Second, it disturbingly seems to me that trader (in bank or prop trading firm) are all ingeneer, only exception is a business major guy (ESSEC in France) but who did a 3year maths (licence) on the side. So he also had his fair share or computing and maths skills.

I see not CS class in Bocconi, do you think I can taught myself some language , or would you recommand to find class ?

Are you kidding me? With the Bocconi Msc Finance you'll have a much higher level of math than the one you would obtain after a US MsF. There are people who go straight to Ivy League PhD after that. There are no compulsory prerequisites, but multivariate calculus, statistics, probability e financial maths are absolutely considered as given when you start the master.

Have a look on Bocconi website, out of 10 exams in the first year 6 are basically quant-based.

Quantitative Finance I http://didattica.unibocconi.eu/ts/tsn_anteprima2006.php?backform=tsn_ri… Quantitative Finance II http://didattica.unibocconi.eu/ts/tsn_anteprima2006.php?backform=tsn_ri… Econometrics I http://didattica.unibocconi.eu/ts/tsn_anteprima2006.php?backform=tsn_ri… Econometrics II http://didattica.unibocconi.eu/ts/tsn_anteprima2006.php?backform=tsn_ri… Theory of Finance http://didattica.unibocconi.eu/ts/tsn_anteprima2006.php?backform=tsn_ri… Risk Management http://didattica.unibocconi.eu/ts/tsn_anteprima2006.php?backform=tsn_ri…

I repeat it, the Bocconi Msc Finance is probably one of the most quant-based masters you could find around.

 

As long as you can handle calculus easily, you shouldn't worry. A high gmat score (MIT MSF has an average of 730) and solid GPA (unless you studied literature) would be more useful

Regarding CS/Programming I would use the analogy of a language. You can speak it using dictionary or translation tool but it requires several years of experience to write decent article or essay on your own. I taught myself to code at young age but didn't want to pursue a career in IT, so it's doable if you got time.

I'm presently doing my undergraduation in France so I feel you. Will be applying to Bocconi 2013 but I have my doubts for the opposite reason. Everyone has commented on how gruelling the course is and way too much quant than what you need for IBD.

I suggest you get in touch with a Bocconi alumnus.

 

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