Graduate School (Math)

[rad]

I searched the forums before starting this, and couldn't find what i'm looking for.

So I'm starting 4th year as a Math Majour starting this September, and it's time for me to apply for Graduate School (in Mathematics)

This sounds stupid: I was wondering, what would be the best specialization for a Masters that would be helpful with a career in Actuarial Science, Investment Banking, Trading etc...?


Some schools offer a Masters in Financial Mathemtics, so that would probably be the best choice, but the problem is...almost EVERYONE in my school wants to do that (and half of them are idots and don't even know what it is)

But MSc Financial Mathematics seems just so competitive...

So what would be a good choice? Number Theory, PDE etc???


I was also looking into a MSc Finance, but only 1 school offers that (in Canada)

Lastly, I saw a post that had the top financial math schools in the USA, i can't find that, does anybody know where i can find a list..

[Bühlmann]

I have a Masters degree in Math. It is worthless in my actuarial career (currently an ASA).

[Dr T Non-Fan]

For actuarial career, number of exams passed is the top priority. Master's Degree candidates without exams passed do not get placed higher on the résumé pile than Bachelor's Degreed folks with exams.
For the other professions, you might get better information from fora created by people in those professons.

[rad]

Yea, that's true, its been said many times on this forum that # of exams past is the most important thing in the Actuarial Field, so i do keep that in mind.

But doesn't anybody feel that a Bacholers is not enough these days - that it is like the "new high school"?

[Take 2]

Bachelor's might not be enough, but actuarial exams are.

[Westley]

Originally Posted by rad

But doesn't anybody feel that a Bacholers is not enough these days - that it is like the "new high school"?

Yes, that's why we require exams.

If you want to be an actuary, a grad degree has very little value (which is not to say that every class you might take has very little value, just the degree).

For other finance careers, check vault or some other boards like that - depending on what you do, it may be worthwhile.

[rad]

uggg....

I've just spend 1 full month preparing for an actuarial science exam.

Didn't socialize for the longest time,

this really hurts.


But back on topic, what, in your opinions, do you think is an awesome MSc degree to peruse for a "business" profession ?

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Originally Posted by rad

uggg....

I've just spend 1 full month preparing for an actuarial science exam.

Didn't socialize for the longest time,

this really hurts.


But back on topic, what, in your opinions, do you think is an awesome MSc degree to peruse for a "business" profession ?

Which Masters of Science degree in Mathematics for a business profession? None.
And you were right in your first post about it sounding stupid.

[Woodrow]

Originally Posted by rad

But doesn't anybody feel that a Bacholers is not enough these days - that it is like the "new high school"?

You need a bachelors to get a job like you needed a high school degree 50 years ago. You do not need a masters like you did not need a college degree 50 years ago.

Do you want this for career reasons or bragging rights?

I got a theoretical math masters. I feel like an applied math degree would have led to more opportunities.

The subjects I studied were unrelated to exams, but the intensity of work prepared me well for exams. Not sure if that's the best path, though.

[DoctorNo]

My Ph.D. is in optimization. It's helped marginally. With clients, it's nice to have some more letters after my name.