Chances of admission MFE EPFL / QF ETH Zurich

[joeharristhethird]

I'm in my second year bachelor's in Econometrics and Operations Research, at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam. My average grade at the moment is 7.8/10, I will try to resist some subjects this summer to get it up as much as possible. I will spend this summer working as an analyst at a Logistics Company, and next semester I will be doing an exchange in Germany. I will try to get some research assistant experience in Germany although I can't confirm yet that this will be on my CV.

I was wondering what my chances are with this background, I get that these grades are not ideal but in the Swiss system, this would be a 5.3/6 or something like that (I think).

(if it matters I am fluent in French)

 

[Andy Nguyen]

See that you are in the Netherlands, maybe get with @jonathank to see if you guys can get together this summer to beef up your profile. Seems like C++ and Python are missing on your list.

 

[joeharristhethird]

See that you are in the Netherlands, maybe get with @jonathank to see if you guys can get together this summer to beef up your profile. Seems like C++ and Python are missing on your list.

Thanks for the answer, I'm already using Python (daily) for my course rn, although not complicated stuff. Is C++ a MUST? How important is it for MSc admission? I can start using it for my projects and learn it that way.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

C++ is a big deal for many top MSc programs since they have courses where you have to use it. It's a crucial keywords for many job listing these days. Many company will use automatic programs to filter CV/resumes from applicants and will filter out those without these keywords.
The issue is many people can say they know Python well but very few people can say that about C++. And you will get tested about it during interview.
I would say that if you invest in C++, it will open more opportunities for you. Knowing Python well maybe enough but why not allow yourself room for career advancement.
The list below is non-exhaustive.

Where C++/Python and other programming languages used in MFE programs

This article will be updated frequently. If you are a student of the programs below, please feel free to contribute to the course name, link to the course as well as the programming used. To apply to MFE programs, you have to demonstrate a programming proficiency. Some programs are very...

quantnet.com

 

[joeharristhethird]

C++ is a big deal for many top MSc programs since they have courses where you have to use it. It's a crucial keywords for many job listing these days. Many company will use automatic programs to filter CV/resumes from applicants and will filter out those without these keywords.
The issue is many people can say they know Python well but very few people can say that about C++. And you will get tested about it during interview.
I would say that if you invest in C++, it will open more opportunities for you. Knowing Python well maybe enough but why not allow yourself room for career advancement.
The list below is non-exhaustive.

Where C++/Python and other programming languages used in MFE programs

This article will be updated frequently. If you are a student of the programs below, please feel free to contribute to the course name, link to the course as well as the programming used. To apply to MFE programs, you have to demonstrate a programming proficiency. Some programs are very...

quantnet.com

Got it, I'll start using it as much as I can, learning happens by using it anyway, just like any language.

 

[ilias.ayfanto]

Hello,
I would also like some information about these programs.
I have recently finished my studies at National and Technical University of Athens School of electrical and computer engineering with a 5-year diploma (GPA 7.32/10.00). During my studies I also attained a minor degree in Finance from The American College of Greece (GPA 4.00/4.00). After finishing my studies i did an internship in a famous Greek banks for 4 months relating to Quantitative projects (Mainly machine learning projects, Regression models and data analysis, and most of them using BQL). Now from July onwards i started working for an international commodity trading company as a Business Analyst. I am currently studying for GMAT and IELTS tests.

I am considering the following programs:
Imperial College Business School - MSc Risk Management & Financial Engineering
Financial Engineering, EPFL
Quantitative Finance, UZH & ETH
Quantitative Economics and Finance (MiQE/F), University of St. Gallen
Quantitative Economics, University of Aarhus
Advanced Economics and Finance, Copenhagen Business School
Quantitative Finance, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Thanks in advance!

 

[joeharristhethird]

Hello,
I would also like some information about these programs.
I have recently finished my studies at National and Technical University of Athens School of electrical and computer engineering with a 5-year diploma (GPA 7.32/10.00). During my studies I also attained a minor degree in Finance from The American College of Greece (GPA 4.00/4.00). After finishing my studies i did an internship in a famous Greek banks for 4 months relating to Quantitative projects (Mainly machine learning projects, Regression models and data analysis, and most of them using BQL). Now from July onwards i started working for an international commodity trading company as a Business Analyst. I am currently studying for GMAT and IELTS tests.

I am considering the following programs:
Imperial College Business School - MSc Risk Management & Financial Engineering
Financial Engineering, EPFL
Quantitative Finance, UZH & ETH
Quantitative Economics and Finance (MiQE/F), University of St. Gallen
Quantitative Economics, University of Aarhus
Advanced Economics and Finance, Copenhagen Business School
Quantitative Finance, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Thanks in advance!

Advice:
Scrap the St. Gallen one, its too mathsy to be a finance degree and not mathsy enough for quant finance

Imperial, I would go for the Maths and Finance or whatever it is if you wanna go into quant.

As an Erasmus Student at the moment (bachelor), I know that Quant Finance Master is an absolute target for the Netherlands. I know a lot of friends that were contacted before they graduated by big banks here (JPMorgan, ABN Amro, ING, etc), plus i know there's quite a large greek community here so that's a plus.

Otherwise good luck.

 

[ilias.ayfanto]

Advice:
Scrap the St. Gallen one, its too mathsy to be a finance degree and not mathsy enough for quant finance

Imperial, I would go for the Maths and Finance or whatever it is if you wanna go into quant.

As an Erasmus Student at the moment (bachelor), I know that Quant Finance Master is an absolute target for the Netherlands. I know a lot of friends that were contacted before they graduated by big banks here (JPMorgan, ABN Amro, ING, etc), plus i know there's quite a large greek community here so that's a plus.

Otherwise good luck.

Thanks a lot for the advice! Is there a way to connect with anyone who does this master? Any community of Facebook group? Happy to connect with you for some more information!

 

[joeharristhethird]

I don't know if there is some platform for it, and I don't wanna share names or anything either. I think if you go onto the website there should be a "chat with our students" page. And you can obviously send me a direct message if you want more info.

As someone's who living in Rotterdam, I personally really don't like the city, but as far as the uni goes its really top. I'm on an exchange at the moment and it's not like this uni is bad, in fact on almost every ranking its better, but Erasmus is way more rigorous and intense.