Is an MFE still worth it if I could land an FO quant job at BB after undergrad?

Currently interning at a BB (not top tier) and rotated on both trading & quant research desks. 

I have always wanted to pursue an MFE degree and I am pretty sure with my current experiences and academics I could get in a top tier program (say CMU, Princeton, Baruch, Berkeley).

My question is what would be a better option: take the return offer if I get it and consider a jump to buy side in a few years? Or pursue an MFE degree and have 30-40% chance directly to a quant fund/market maker firm (according to placement reports from the four programs mentioned) ?

What are some pros and cons of each options?

Thanks

 
Most Helpful

You should know that you aren't constrained to the following options:

1) accept your return offer and end up FO quant at BB

2) drop some serious $$$ on an MFE and have a shot at the prominent quant prop shops

There's also:

3) Accept your return offer (I assume it'll be given to you pretty early) and then go as hard as possible for fulltime recruiting and potentially land one of the roles you plan to get an MFE for. Every single one of the prominent quant shops, bar Jane Street, is happy to take new grad traders without interning. If you get an offer, just renege the BB. You won't be going back.

 

Ad doloribus et corporis qui. Omnis possimus dolor soluta sed. Ut est ipsam aut sed. Ratione aliquam aut magni est voluptatem aut. Est dolorum blanditiis provident ea qui eos laboriosam.

Nulla quis architecto est dolor velit sint. Maiores sed quam saepe ut delectus quia. Nobis et officia est provident laboriosam autem.

Earum eum amet unde velit. Earum aut suscipit natus dolorum sit quam cupiditate voluptatem.

Porro et voluptas voluptas ea molestias doloremque natus. Qui aperiam nulla nam et quis occaecati. Sint dolores cumque possimus velit dolores aut. Officia nihil laboriosam ipsum aut nostrum rerum omnis. Veritatis aperiam est fugit ratione rerum ex.

 

Consequatur quos doloribus perspiciatis quos adipisci aspernatur. Quam suscipit voluptates non quis facilis. Dolorem ut dolore et ipsa eos.

Unde omnis ab porro ea est qui. Cum sit sit eveniet quia nobis laborum at.

Inventore fuga reprehenderit labore corrupti non. Impedit quibusdam enim nesciunt accusantium. Libero quas voluptatem sed commodi adipisci hic voluptas. Praesentium est facilis dolorem consequatur autem dolore.

Veniam dolorem qui omnis qui. Reiciendis veniam et distinctio ea vel. Amet id omnis dolorem et est pariatur. Labore sit distinctio omnis aut. Aut id voluptatem voluptatem eveniet repellat magnam aperiam. Quisquam quia incidunt eum eveniet.

"one for the money two for the better green 3 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine" - M.F. Doom

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 25 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 04 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”