I would like to know which area of study would be more helpful...for a career in quant finance which is more applicable physics or math?

It was said 1000 times probably. Both are good. Both have pros and cons.Do what you like more. The question is not what is more applicable,but what is interesting for you and what you think you are good at.Do not concentrate on qf too much too early...

thanks for the info

Well, why don't you study something like mathematical finance or business mathematics right from the beginning, if you want to become a quant ? I mean, many of today's quants have imo studied physics or pure math just because financial maths as an indepenent field of study has not yet existed then. I can only talk now about German financial institutions or consultancies but they like to hire people with an interdisciplinary background (hard math + programming skills + knowledge about finance or insurance maths) and courses of study such as "business mathematics" or so (which are not "math light" but just a bit more focused on probability, economics and statistics) are quite popular here in Germany for people seeking to work in financial servicses.

studying physics without loving it is pure masochism. it's such a special field, imho. what is he going to think about when spending hours in the lab trying to grapth the temperature in crystallizing alloy? he'll be thinking "WTF am I doing here?"

QuoteOriginally posted by: jawabeanstudying physics without loving it is pure masochism. it's such a special field, imho. what is he going to think about when spending hours in the lab trying to grapth the temperature in crystallizing alloy? he'll be thinking "WTF am I doing here?"And the next moment, the poor guy sticks his finger to the molten/semi-molten by accident. It really hurts for those who don't truly "believe" in physics