Expert: Bruce - 10/26/2008

Question
ok so i did bad in high school however im a good math and business studnet especially finance im into the stock market likea professional wall street trader its like a religion to me. i am good at it too getting good returns that is. So i want to work on wall street or some money management firm in san francisco or chicago i dont care where tho. So what should i do to get into a top program since im in the 11th grade and my GPA is 2.4 right now i estimate i wil bring it up to a 2.8 by graduation and then should i attend a community college or an easy to get into unveristy?? Then of course i would do excellent in college and after 2 years could i transfer to a good college.. like indiana university NYU or U of Chicago? michigan any of the top schools id love to go too.. then after completeing BA in finance id get a job as a proprietary trader since thats what im good at and then after a few years could i get into top MBA program??? given i get a good GMAT score??? thanks i did not take the SAT yet but im sure ill do average on that.. since its math and language arts good at math average in language arts... please help can i do this is it possible a good route?? or should i just look for another career???

Answer
Guy,

If trading is your passion, you should pursue it.

I suggest you work extra hard through the rest of your high school years and pull that GPA up as high as you can. Take both the SAT and ACT exams, and do the prep work ahead of time to optimize your score.

Read relevant business magazines to stay up on the markets and to be able to demonstrate that you are serious about business and trading. This will also help you in any interview setting.

You could go either route - 2 year school or less selective 4 year. Keep in mind that some moderately selective schools have excellent business departments. You can still have the career you want even if you don't go to an elite school. Try to find a school that has a student trading or portfolio program - one that works with actual $$$, not virtual. If it also has internships or practicums in the field, so much the better.

If you can tell me what part of the country you wish to be in I may be able to suggest schools for you to look at.

Bruce