Career change at 31

[Ritz]

Hello,

I am new to this community and would like to get your views on a few questions:
I have a MBA (Fin), CFA and FRM and am currently working (highly paying job) in a sovereign wealth fund in the Middle East in their strategy department (since one year). Prior to that, I have worked for six years in real estate investments which involved finanical modelling and investments. I am good and fast with numbers and logic. However, I have no idea of computer programs and never took keen interest in calculus, stochastic processes etc.

Now, after seven years of work experience (31 now), I am increasingly getting dissatisfied with my current strategy role and am thinking of applying for a one year financial engineering course, starting sept 2013, from some top US schools.

1. With my profile and age what could be my chances of getting through?
2. Do I have enough time now for 2013 courses? I am planning to take GMAT in a month. As to me GMAT is lot easier than GRE. And only few schools strictly accept GRE only. Is this a right approach or should I prepare for GRE?
3. From today, I have started reading calculus etc. to see if I understand these concepts. Would you have a view that now it is too late for me to understand these conecpts esp. if other quant candidates would have years of experience in these fields?

Thanks for stopping by my thread. And I would appreciate your views.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

1. People with similar age and profile have been successfully transfered into this space.
2. Take the GRE. GMAT/GRE is the easiest thing that you will encounter if you decide to do an MFE program. They are seen as minimum requirement.
3. Take a look at the reading list for quants, specially the section for MFE applicants. You can get Math Primer book to see if you are up to date with your calculus, etc. Check out Steve Shreve's books to see if you can do stochastic calculus. Download the QuantNet Guide to check out on advice for applicants as well.

The biggest question, it seems to me is your motivation to move into this area. If you are not good with math/programming, it will be close to impossible to do well in a challenging MFE program.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

1. With my profile and age what could be my chances of getting through?
Age 31 is really, really young. And consider how many years to go.

I second Andy; in these times Maths and Programming are vital and they can used everywhere.

I have no idea of computer programs and never took keen interest in calculus
I would recommend an intro course on programming.
Calculus is 101 stuff and it is the beginning, only. Have you checked whether you have an aptitude for Maths?

In general, the formative years in Mathematics are 15-23 when the major concepts are learned. And learning to program when young is also advantageous. A buddy of my son started C++ when he was 12

 

[Ritz]

Thanks Andy and Daniel! This is helpful. I have started preparing for my GRE and reading books recommended above. Fingers crossed!