What Is The UConn Opportunity Fund Project?

The UConn Opportunity Fund Project is an immersive program that was created to inspire and develop our students for careers in finance. Our mission is to broaden and deepen student participation in the experiential learning opportunity afforded by managing university assets in the stock market. Taught by a highly experienced professional institutional investor, our goal is to open these doors to those who are typically underrepresented in the investment management industry and serve as a bridge between the classroom and Wall Street. 

FNCE 4895: The Building Blocks of Investment Analysis and Research

3 Credits

This is an intensive course covering the foundational principles, concepts, and tools of accounting, finance, economics, and capital markets as utilized by professional equity investors. Students will learn to work individually and in teams. They will study the language of financial statement analysis, working with financial news, public corporate data, and filings. They will then learn how to organize their thoughts and convey them in written and oral form. In addition, students will develop the skills needed to provide constructive criticism and begin to develop the company research and analytical skills that are essential to participate in the Opportunity Fund.

FNCE 4895: Applied Investment Analysis

3 Credits

In this course, students will learn the skills involved in business model analysis, management assessment, valuation approaches, competitive dynamics, appraisal, financial modeling, preparing a professional quality stock pitch, critiquing and deciding on suitable investments, monitoring holdings, and evaluating sell decisions. These students will participate in all phases of managing a student-led equity investment fund including learning and implementing processes and procedures for making high-quality long-term investments, working in teams with student peers, and communicating with external constituencies.

In order to apply, students must meet the following requirements:

• be in good standing
• a CGPA of at least 3.25
• at least 23 credits earned
• School of Business Student

Applicants will need fill out the application online. Applicants must provide a current unofficial transcript and current resume. The application process also includes 3 essay questions and a 1-hour interview.

Applicants will open on Monday, September 23rd and will close around Mid- October.

"As a young student, it isn't easy to understand what it takes to become a great investor. The discipline required can only be attained by seeing and learning from someone who has done it before, like we do with Professor Wilson. I want to see more students take this course and be challenged like I was, surrounded by other hard-working students striving towards the same goals. This one-of-a-kind program is designed to introduce students to investing. The rigorous course covers finance, economics, capital markets, and accounting. Students who pass the course then become eligible to participate in the Opportunity Fund course and invest real money in the stock market. Something I never thought would be possible for me a year ago."

-Joseph L

"When I first came to UConn, I was incredibly unsure of myself and if finance was really the right choice for me- Opportunity Fund completely changed this.

Your class, your teachings, your advice, have inspired me and given me the confidence to pursue any finance career- no matter how daunting they may seem. I end my first year in college excited to pursue my future career and motivated to learn more about equity investment research" 

-Isabella D