<p>In my school, for senior year we have to conduct either a research project or do a mentorship, in fields related to math or science. I chose the research project route. The project itself can be almost anything, kids build guitars, lasers, design buildings , and other cool stuff. I am interested in Finance, so for my project I choose to develop a mechanical trading strategy to maximize profits and minimize losses. Now the part that I am slightly worried about is that for my trading strategy I am using technical analysis, something I think Wharton does not esteem as much as fundamental analysis.( For those who don’t know Tech. Analysis is the study of price action using trend lines, indicators, etc. While Fundamental Analysis is investing based off of a company’s financial health). So will I be actually hurt by this research project or would they not care whether it was technical analysis or fundamental analysis.</p>
<p>Okay, the majority of this post went right over my head, but I would think that the simple fact that you took on a complex (?) project heavily based in finance would be very well received by Wharton.</p>
<p>haha, I would say it is fairly complex, involves writing computer code to initiate buy and sell orders and stuff like that. </p>
<p>Ok, so if this is a positive for me, then where would be the best place to add a little more description about it. I want to do my extracurricular essay on debate so that slot is full, and I already have a solid common app topic, so that’s gone too. I was thinking maybe the Penn Supplement but with only 250 words there are other things I want to get across. Could I describe my project more in the additional info section??</p>
<p>Yeah, in that case, I would just put it in the Additional Info section.</p>
<p>Let’s bring forth the simple logic here: take initiative & show you can think -> show you are smart -> contribute to your application.</p>
<p>Are you naive or just pretending to be. Here, you showed that you can think while taking an initiative, and you are asking if a school would frown up on this. What does technical analysis or fundamental analysis have to do with anything? None. Wharton would frown upon you making this thread because it shows that you are not mature enough to understand a simple rule of the world: smart people who innovate are worth of being given great opportunities because they can do great things.</p>
<p>They’ll get a kick out of a green, bushy-tailed high school student sticking his hand in the cookie jar of finance, but they’ll definitely like your initiative and interest.</p>
<p>@IvyPBear</p>
<p>I think you missed completely the point of my thread, I know that I have taken initiative and that a research project will contribute to my application. What I was and still am slightly worried about is the subject matter of my project. In the world of finance there are two schools of thought, which I mentioned above, Fundamental and Technical, Wharton from what I gather focuses heavily on the Fundamentals, such as earnings, revenue, tax rates, and so on. I was just looking for some advice from Wharton students or other knowledgeable people whether my decision to go with a different school of thought would in any way jeopardize my chances.</p>
<p>wharton frowns upon you regardless</p>
<p>Technical analysis is impossible even under the weak version of the EMH. Luckily this isn’t Chicago here (otherwise you’d be totally screwed.)</p>
<p>I would personally just label it a quantitative trading strategy, rather then technical ;-)</p>
<p>Edit: BTW, I am shocked that people thought this post was “advanced”; it used very very basic, and, if I say so myself, nubbish ( 
) concepts. Not disrespecting your project btw, just saying the post itself was not difficult.</p>
<p>@ rahuja</p>
<p>Now thats just uncalled for, I don’t go on your threads and just make rude comments.</p>
<p>@Euroazn</p>
<p>Yeah that seems like a better idea but I don’t know. And as to the merits of technical analysis, I think it does hold some water. I think of it more as predicting people’s behavior, which never changes rather than predicting what exactly the market will do. Again I am still doing research so am not an expert but do think that it does work. Take a look at this link, I haven’t confirmed its validity but it convinced me that technical analysis is at least successful for a few. I too was a skeptic but now I am a little more of a believer. [Top</a> 7 Technical Analysts of All Time Share Their Secrets | ETF HQ](<a href=“http://etfhq.com/blog/2010/02/17/top-technical-analysts/]Top”>http://etfhq.com/blog/2010/02/17/top-technical-analysts/)</p>
<p>Anyways, back on topic, I think the additional info section is the way to go for this, but I am still open to opinions.</p>
<p>i was just kidding take it easy</p>
<p>One thing to think about, admission officers are not necessary or most likely not business/financial gurus. You need to make your case to them as if they are normal regular people. I doubt that the project will be detrimental to your chance but if you don’t do in a way that they can appreciate it, then that might be a strike against you.</p>
<p>Write your program and show your analysis. If you can generate a statistically significant “out-sized” return, Wharton won’t care if it’s due to technical analysis or reading tea leaves and chicken entrails. It’s about results.</p>
<p>Of course, if you can generate a statistically significant out-sized return why would you bother with B-School?</p>
<p>And people wonder why the Wharton undergrads have the social reputation they do…oy vey.</p>
<p>Hey, I think what he’s doing is pretty cool.
I myself made a program that using analysis of stock returns of the 2000-2010 decade assessed which of ten fundamental/quantitative strategies would achieve highest returns.</p>
<p>@ ttparent, you raise a good point I had forgot about that, but I do assume that at least one of the Adcoms that reads my app will have a wharton background and will know at least a sliver about financial markets, just didn’t want to mention my project if it is taboo at wharton.</p>
<p>@vinceh, sadly, my research project won’t conclude till January 1, so results are not yet here, I have been working all summer but still a ways from actual testing, for RD I might be able to throw in results.</p>
<p>@wayward_trojan, haha, well I don’t care if i get “the” social reputation if I do become a Wharton Undergrad, so the point is moot.</p>