Annika Westre

Originally from Washington, Annika Westre studied mathematics and mathematical economics at a small liberal arts school in Spokane. Once she realized she wanted to get her master’s degree, Boston quickly rose to the top of her list, despite its distance from the West Coast.

“From the beginning, Boston University was my first choice,” said Westre. “I knew my exposure to industry professionals and career opportunities would be most robust through a management school. Additionally, the structure of the curriculum, combined with the strategic placement of a summer internship between the second and third semesters, seemed the most helpful in preparing for full-time work.”

Best of all, the school made it an easy transition. “Moving from across the country to a city I was unfamiliar with, and making the significant financial decision of committing to a master’s degree straight out of undergrad, are not easy tasks. Questrom showed genuine thought and dedication to making sure it was a smooth and graceful transition.”

Studying mathematical finance means working with world-class professors and similarly talented students—something Westre really appreciates. “The Mathematical Finance faculty comprises world-renowned researchers, consultants, and academics. Their ability to disseminate information and counsel students in class, office hours, and even at the BU Pub is part of why this program is so excellent.”

And yet, there’s more to Questrom than just the class work.

“Our class spends a lot of time together outside of the classroom,” she explains. “In particular, many of the conversations we have post-class in the BU Pub on a Thursday night are entirely unrelated to our profession but cultivate conversations for personal, ideological, and academic growth. I’m surrounded by some of the smartest minds with diverse backgrounds and cultures, which makes for intelligent and unique conversation.”

Her Questrom experiences have even taken her across international borders. In January 2014, she and five of her classmates traveled to Toronto, Canada, to the Rotman International Trading competition, where they simulated trading scenarios in the actual stock market.

Not only that, Westre is secretary of the Math Finance Club and works in Questrom’s Graduate Admissions Office. In summer 2014, she interned for Wurts & Associates, an institutional investment consulting firm in Seattle. She plans to return to the firm in December 2014 to work as a research analyst for the discretionary business, proving that a little Questrom goes a long way.