Chances of getting into a top MSFE program

[Muditkumar]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a final year undergrad doing my B.Tech in Computer Science. I gave my GRE today and got 153 in verbal and 170 in Quant. Scores for the AWA are still awaited. I don't have any relevant work experience in Finance. I have done a 6 months internship in a web development company. I have decent programming skills in C,C++, Java. I wanted to know about my chances in a top MSFE program. Any advice would be extremely helpful guys...

 

[alain]

...Any advice would be extremely helpful guys...

Apply

 

[Muditkumar]

Thanks alain .....

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Wait for our 2012-2013 QuantNet International Guide to Programs in Financial Engineering
We will have several articles from various people involved in the MFE admission process where they show people why they fail and what things to do to get into the top programs.

 

[Muditkumar]

That's great Andy and it will go a long way in helping me out later as well. But just out of curiosity I wanted to know about my potential chances in getting into any of the top MSFE courses. Please give your opinion.

 

[Jose T]

If you have a good GPA and come from a reputable school, based on what you wrote above, I'd guess you're in the middle of the pack. Just as a guess, I'd think you'd have a good chance to into some MFE program if you apply widely.

A top program might be possible depending on your GPA and school, but it may or may not end up working for you since they're probably getting a lot of applicants similar to you.

There's actually not much else to say other than just apply and see what happens (and have a back-up plan). Good luck.

 

[Muditkumar]

Thanks Thomas for your inputs...actually neither do I have a very good GPA nor do I come from a reputable school. I guess that takes me to the end of the pack...

 

[Andy Nguyen]

The most realistic way to look at your chance is to go through the Tracker, filter the profiles by Admit status and drill down to the programs you are interested in. You will then see the profiles of those getting into those programs. You will see where you stand.

 

[Muditkumar]

I've been doing that for a week Andy and so far the only two I could bank upon are CGU MSFE and Kent State MSFE.... Further found out that Kent State program has been terminated now. So as far as i'm concerned only CGU seems realistic .

 

[Jayanthan]

I've been doing that for a week Andy and so far the only two I could bank upon are CGU MSFE and Kent State MSFE.... Further found out that Kent State program has been terminated now. So as far as i'm concerned only CGU seems realistic .

Apply where ever u wann to go! If you get it, you will be happy, if you dont.... so what?couple of hundred bucks... u will easily loose amount, fi u r in stock market.

 

[Faisal]

If you do not come from a top school and do not have a very good GPA (and) no relevant internship experience, I would advise you to put your MSFE plans on hold for a couple of years and concentrate on your college placements. Try to get placed in a top financial firm even if it is in IT domain. Work for a couple of years and apply. However, even then, I must say, top programs like Columbia/ UCB/ Princeton have a huge preference for applicants from strong undergraduate programs.

 

[babinu]

Agree with Faisal here, experience (even in an IT domain) in a reputed financial firm can boost your chances a lot when it comes to getting into top MFE programs as well as getting a job after MFE

 

[Muditkumar]

Thanks a lot guys.... It's great to have all your views...thanks :D

 

[Muditkumar]

Is TOEFL a necessity for a MFE or MathFin Course?? I'm from India(Native is not English) and I have completed my undergrad in English.Will TOEFL be waived of in my case???

 

[utkarsh dalmia]

Depends on the program you're applying to. Some ask for TOEFL while others do not.

 

[bigbadwolf]

Is TOEFL a necessity for a MFE or MathFin Course?? I'm from India(Native is not English) and I have completed my undergrad in English.Will TOEFL be waived of in my case???

If you're worried about the TOEFL, you shouldn't even waste your time applying to a leading MFE program. Your communication skills will be crucially important once you finish any MFE program.

 

[Muditkumar]

I'm neither worried about my communication skills nor about TOEFL. I just wanted to confirm whether it's a pre-requisite for some MFE programs. As it turns out, it is.

If you're worried about the TOEFL, you shouldn't even waste your time applying to a leading MFE program. Your communication skills will be crucially important once you finish any MFE program.

 

[bigbadwolf]

I'm neither worried about my communication skills nor about TOEFL. I just wanted to confirm whether it's a pre-requisite for some MFE programs. As it turns out, it is.

Then just get it out of the way to remove any lingering doubts with an admissions committee.