MSCF Hosts 2nd Annual Datathon: Advancing Experiential Learning and Industry Connections

OnMarch 29, 2025, the MSCF program hosted its2nd Annual MSCF Datathon, bringing together130 graduate and undergraduate studentsacross ourNYC and Pittsburghcampuses for a day of intense competition, hands-on learning, and networking. Designed to mirror the fast-paced challenges of the finance industry, the competition pushed students to applymachine learning, data modeling, and quantitative strategiesto real-world financial data problems.

Powered byCode Willing, withQuantbot Technologies, LP. providing institutional-grade financial data and expert mentorship, students hadfive hoursto developalpha-generating trading models. Teams worked under tight constraints, rapidly building, backtesting, and refining their strategies to maximize performance. The event fostered collaboration and innovative problem-solving, offering participants an invaluable opportunity to translate classroom knowledge into practical, real-world applications.

Beyond the competition, the Datathon also served as a valuablenetworking opportunity, allowing students to connect withindustry professionals and corporate sponsors. Participants engaged withmentors from Quantbotand representatives from leading firms, gaining insights into careers in quantitative finance and expanding their professional networks.

“Events like the MSCF Datathon are a powerful way for us to connect with the next generation of quantitative and engineering talent. It’s an ideal setting to see how students approach real-world trading challenges using the kind of data-driven thinking and technical innovation that’s core to GTS,” said ViktoriaSlutskaya, Director of Talent Aquisition at GTS.

“The Datathon continues to be an exceptional opportunity for students to test their skills in a high-pressure, real-world setting while also engaging with industry professionals,” saidRobert Simon, Executive Director of the MSCF Program. “These experiences are at the core of our mission—to prepare students for impactful careers in quantitative finance.”

Congratulations to all participants for their dedication, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. We look forward to making next year’s3rd Annual MSCF Datathoneven bigger and better!