I will add to Hebegebe’s fine post (and recognize expertise when we all see it) that MOST kids who think they want a job in quant discover that they don’t.
It all sounds like fun and games (no coincidence that a lot of quant folks are expert bridge, chess, poker players…) until someone gets up close to the work.
For any high school kids reading this- do NOT pick a college based on “I want to be a quant”. For “NY style quant” (which used to be called “rocket scientist” for a reason) unless you live and breath math– and are one of the top math folks in your region– the odds are really against you. Anyone can get an interview- the first round is just testing your quant chops, logic and speed. But the knock out rate is very high. For “Boston style quant”, many kids discover there are lots and lots and lots of finance careers which are just as (or more) interesting and require a lot less blood, sweat and tears.
Pick a college that is going to increase your intellectual capital– academically, artistically, or whatever. Finance is not econ, math is not finance, even though there are some overlaps. You love rocks? Major in geology. The career path will be there for you….