Financial Markets Program

Applications are now closed for the Financial Markets Program. Financial Markets Program applications for the next cycle are expected to open in December 2026.

Students apply to the Financial Markets Program in Winter Quarter of their first year at the university. Accepted students participate in programming throughout their second, third, and fourth years.

There is no academic major requirement; however, you must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to apply. Transfer students and students returning from a leave of absence are also eligible to apply.

The following materials will be required to apply for the Financial Markets Program:

• One-page resume

• Application questionnaire

• Unofficial UChicago transcript

• Personal statement detailing your interest in the Financial Markets Program and quantitative finance

• Video interview responses

During their first year in the program, Financial Markets Program students will participate in specialized trainings and workshops to build quantitative and technical skills (including trading simulations, financial markets workshops, interview pre sessions, machine learning and coding training).

Students will also have facilitated career exploration & employer engagement opportunities, including on-campus presentations from employers and site visits. Additionally, winter and spring career treks take students to major financial hubs such as New York and London, offering exposure to top firms in those markets.

In their second program year, students will focus on personal and professional development with tailored advising, mock technical interviews, and access to key employers and recruiters.

In the final year, program participants have opportunities to take on leadership roles through the UChicago Trading Competition, networking events, and mentorship of new Financial Markets students.

Fall Programs

• Introduction to Trading Workshop

• Two Sigma Campus Presentation

• Macro Trading Simulation

• Five Rings Trading Company Campus Presentation

• Sales & Trading Deep Dive

• Chicago Trading Company Office Visit

Winter Programs

• International Markets Career Trek to London

• PEAK6 Office Visit

• Quant Trading Simulation

• Modeling Markets for Price Prediction

• Trading Workshop with Industry Practitioners

Spring Programs

• Financial Markets Career Trek to NYC

• Walleye Capital Office Visit

• Millennium Partners Campus Presentation

• Hartree Partners Campus Presentation

• Pre-Trading Competition Poker Tournament

• Trading Competition

• Readystate Campus Presentation

• DRW Office Visit

Graduates of the Financial Markets Program will:

• Receive training in key topics such as trading, research, data analysis, machine learning, and quantitative modeling.

• Develop practical fluency in skills used in financial markets through simulations and hands-on activities.

• Network with key financial markets firms and employers through exclusive site visits, on-campus presentations, and career treks. Examples of firms engaged in this year's programming include Citadel, Jane Street, Millenium, Two Sigma, Optiver, and DRW.

• Receive mentorship from industry professionals working in sales and trading and quantitative finance.

• Gain access to internships through our strong network of employers.