Background
Master's degree in computer science. Worked for a bank as a risk analyst and currently working as an energy trading strategist for a major energy company. I am located in Singapore and report to boss in UK.
I studied part-time in the Chicago MSMF Singapore program since Sept 2009
Did you get admitted to other programs?
No
Why did you choose this program (over others, if applicable)?
I only applied for UChicago MSFM Singapore as it seems the best choice in Singapore or even Asia in terms of reputation.
Application process
The website was and is outdated. Most of the information regarding this program was found in online discussions. They responded my emails selectively.
Courses selection
1. Course selection is not flexible. I like Statistical Risk Management, Mathematical Foundation Option Pricing and Fixed Income so far.
2. Singapore students can study in Chicago for 1 or 2 quarters our of 3 quarters. a lot of us chose to go to Chicago in Spring quarter Apr - Jun
3. We can choose one course from Chicago Booth, which is only available in Chicago campus
Quality of teaching
1. Practitioners teaching Fixed Income are good. because the course is reduced for some reason they insist offering additional seminar which is not counted in grading.
2. the class is like a video-conference bringing people from Chicago, Singapore and Stamford together. the video quality is good. we can ask questions using a microphone. all classes are recorded and can be played back later.
3. Teachers for each course normally come to teach in Singapore for 2 weeks, giving lectures and office hours.
4. Singapore program has local TAs for every course, mostly previous graduates. They are very helpful. Without TA's help it's not possible to figure out homework. In terms of homework, TAs are much more useful than lecturers.
Materials used in the program
Notes are enough
Programming component of the program
Matlab is dominant. There's C# class but i haven't taken. For me not much programming except the Matlab programming in statistical risk management and regression analysis.
Projects
so far i haven't done any project, expecting one for Regression Analysis.
Career service
1. We visited a couple of banks in Singapore
2. Our resumes are compiled and sent to banks
3. Other than campus recruitment, quite a few immediate openings have been sourced by local career service.
4. nothing specific to intern
Student body
Ethnics are quite diversified and balanced. we are also invited to Chicago Booth alumni gathering in Singapore.
What do you like about the program?
I am much more confident about my math now. previously i picked up some models on my own, which can't compare to what I learn in the program in terms of both coverage and depth.
What DON'T you like about the program?
1. the most important course Stochastic Calculus should be taught much better.
2. the management doesn't care much about publicity. i think for a professional program this is very important. the more people appreciate the program the more value that the current students and previous graduates get.
Suggestions for the program to make it better
I would hire a public relationship manager to advertise the program better.
What are your current job status? What are you looking for?
as a quant strategist in energy trading. i want to expand my skill set further and look for more challenging opportunities, e.g. trading, portfolio manager, deal originator, etc
