Hello,I'm a French 22 years old Student and I would like to do a Phd in Finance or in Economics in a top US University.I already have a DEUG (french diplom) in Maths and Economics from the University of Strasbourg, and I will obtain my Bachelor in Business Administration from HEC Montreal in December 2004. My major is obviously Finance and my GPA is actually 3.88.I'm wondering about what is the best path for me...- some professors told me to try right now to enter in a Phd programm in a top US Business School- other said it will be better to go in a excellent university than in a business school- in order to prepare well the Phd programm, it's better to do a Msc in Financial Economics and Econometry, like this I improve the probability to enter in a best US University with fundings.- I'm thinking about doing this Master at the University of Montreal, there are excellent professors like Mr Garcia, Mr Dufour, Mr Renault.I believe that doing the Master and then trying to enter to PHD programm in a University such the University of Chicago, Berkeley, Princeton... it's better.What do you think?Thank you for your advices.

Advice from a PhD...Unless you want to be a academic, don't do a PhD. It is not worthwhile to spend so many years just for the purpose of trying to be a quant.

Advice from someone who chose not to do a PhD...I agree with jimmycarter, I certainly am practicing very well without one. A masters was just right, and doing it in a business school was an enormous advantage for someone like me who is more interested in finance than math and computers.If you do go for one, Chicago, Berkeley, Columbia, and maybe MIT should be at the top of your list.

Thank you for your advice, but I'm really interesting about an academic and consulting career.So I would like to do a Phd and therefore I ask again what do you think about my first post?Thank you for your next advices!

If you're interested in an accademic career then wouldn't oneof your prof's be a better person to ask than this board? As for consulting a PhD will get you precisely ZERO respect of extra money - so dont even consider it.

QuoteOriginally posted by: Dave82Thank you for your advice, but I'm really interesting about an academic and consulting career.So I would like to do a Phd and therefore I ask again what do you think about my first post?Thank you for your next advices!Learn English first, top US schools require TOEFL scores of at least 620 for foreign applicants

If you are unsure at this stage, try to apply for Masters in some of the top univs. Most of the program in Financial mathematics are 1 year programs in some good univs like Columbia, Chicago, Stern,etc. If you prefer MA in economics then you could do that in 8 months especially in some univs like Univ. of Toronto (which for that matter is also a good school); only that its in Canada. That should give you a fair idea of if you want to do a PhD or get a job. Its a gamble but its worth taking. Of course it would cost you money unless you get a scholorship from your firm or Govt.

Thank you for yours answers.I think I will apply for a MA in Financial Economics, what is your opinion of the University of Montreal. (6th in the world in Econometrics, and 24th in Economics).Is it a good path for a Phd in the States?

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http://www.sceco.umontreal.ca/divers/je ... gs.pdfHere 2 links with the ranking.Sorry, it's 8th in econmetrics.For the members of U of M, just read my first post in this topic.

I am not exactly sure what the french diplom means. Is it the same as a US undergraduatedegree in math and economics? If it is, I would say apply for the PhD right now. I am in the CMU MSCF program. I think that the more math orientated Masters Programsin Finance like NYU or Chicago might help you once you are in a PhD program, but I do not thinkthey will help you in the application process for the PhD. Basically PhD programs are looking for pure brains and research ability when you apply to the PhD programs, which I have done (ended up doing Masters at CMU instead since I didnt get into the PhD programs), along with whether or not you are well prepared. If your french diploma in math and economics is the equivalent of a US undergrad degree, then I would say you are more than well prepared, assuming your grades are good. The Masters Programs are geared towards people who want to go into industry. Most of thosecourses you can also take or sit in on when you do your PhD as well. However, on the other side, I do know of people who did well in the CMU MSCF programwho then went on to do a Phd. Good luckQuoteOriginally posted by: Dave82Hello,I'm a French 22 years old Student and I would like to do a Phd in Finance or in Economics in a top US University.I already have a DEUG (french diplom) in Maths and Economics from the University of Strasbourg, and I will obtain my Bachelor in Business Administration from HEC Montreal in December 2004. My major is obviously Finance and my GPA is actually 3.88.I'm wondering about what is the best path for me...- some professors told me to try right now to enter in a Phd programm in a top US Business School- other said it will be better to go in a excellent university than in a business school- in order to prepare well the Phd programm, it's better to do a Msc in Financial Economics and Econometry, like this I improve the probability to enter in a best US University with fundings.- I'm thinking about doing this Master at the University of Montreal, there are excellent professors like Mr Garcia, Mr Dufour, Mr Renault.I believe that doing the Master and then trying to enter to PHD programm in a University such the University of Chicago, Berkeley, Princeton... it's better.What do you think?Thank you for your advices.