COMPARE CMU MSCF V.S. Columbia MSFE V.S. MIT MFin

[phoebewannafly]

Hi everyone,

I got admitted by MIT Mfin, CMU MSCF, and Columbia MSFE. Need to respond to Columbia by 20th of March, CMU by 24th of March, and MIT by 10th of April. Would really appreciate any advice or any relevant information!!

A little background about myself:
I will be graduating in June 2015 with a B.S. in Mathematics. I am an international student from Singapore, and would be keen to secure a job in the area of Equity Research or S&T in the states after graduation from the program. I personally like the brandname of MIT, and as they just launched a 18-month pilot program (i.e., the program can be extended to 18 month by option) there would be time for a summer internship. But I heard that the placement stats in MIT is quite terrible, especially in the U.S.

Which program should I choose? Really need your help now..

Thank you very much for any advice!

 

[Francis Chan]

Congratulations! You got all ADs from these three devilish competitive programs.



Hope it helps.

 

[cxiao]

I would point out that MIT release their employment report. You should take a look. I think CMU's employment report is much more impressive. Unfortunately Columbia does not release such data.

 

[whatismyname]

I would point out that MIT release their employment report. You should take a look. I think CMU's employment report is much more impressive. Unfortunately Columbia does not release such data.

Columbia Placement:
http://ieor.columbia.edu/msfe-internship-and-job-placement

 

[cxiao]

Columbia Placement:
http://ieor.columbia.edu/msfe-internship-and-job-placement

I am aware of this webpage. Unfortunately crucial information like average (median) salary is missing.

 

[phoebewannafly]

Congratulations! You got all ADs from these three devilish competitive programs.

In my opinion, it depents on which orientation you want to focus for your graduate study.

MIT MFin is relatively not a very quant and technical program. This is more suitable for those who like pure finance and market business, such as Asset Management. The placement is not very optimistic because of its class size (nearly 120 grads each year) and having competition directly with MBAs (I guess). However, as some previous students post, the curriculum at MIT MFin is very personalized and flexible, you can also chose a quant-heavy way, but remember it is not a program for technical finance and quant.

CMU MSCF is heavily focusing on Programming. Many grads got position as Quant Analyst and S&T. If you really want to do S&T, CMU is the best choice. Whatever the brand name and quality of this program, it will place you at very good company.

Columbia MSFE has more connection and network with the street, compared with the other two. They hold finance practitioners seminar every week; they offer many unique, advance courses that closely link to the market, such as Implied Volatility Smile, Term Structure Modeling. Therefore, I suppose you would be trained with a better flair of the financial market.

PS, I only know a little about the Equity Research; many PhDs are doing it.

Overall, I think there is no much difference with the brand between CMU, Columbia and MIT, because they all are world-renowned. Maybe MIT is more respectable, but you should consider which factor you care more, and your interest, ability, career plan, etc.

There is no better one, but only "Niche" one.

These are just my personal thoughts. Perhaps some people will repute. I suggest you to contact with some previous and current students at these programs, to match yourself at a "niche".

Hope it helps.

Hi - thanks for this Francis!

As for the connection and network , I heard that CMU got even better reputation in the street than CU. Not sure whether it is true tho..

 

[Francis Chan]

Hi - thanks for this Francis!

As for the connection and network , I heard that CMU got even better reputation in the street than CU. Not sure whether it is true tho..

It might be right. According to the placement stats, CMU is unquestionably more impressive. I would vote for CMU, but I think Columbia is a very good choice as well. Nevertheless, again, CMU is more focusing on programming and computational finance, if it is your interest and your ability can excel on those advanced topics, then just go.

 

[phoebewannafly]

I would point out that MIT release their employment report. You should take a look. I think CMU's employment report is much more impressive. Unfortunately Columbia does not release such data.

Thanks cxiao!

I've actually read these reports before. According to MIT, over 30% of their students have landed jobs in asset management firms. However, the average salary is only about 70k, which is much lower than CMU. I really wish to find out more info from those who are in the program right now, or who have graduated from it about the job hunt in MIT..

Thanks anyway!!

 

[Barbara Wang]

Thanks cxiao!

I've actually read these reports before. According to MIT, over 30% of their students have landed jobs in asset management firms. However, the average salary is only about 70k, which is much lower than CMU. I really wish to find out more info from those who are in the program right now, or who have graduated from it about the job hunt in MIT..

Thanks anyway!!

I need to make a similar decision like you. Could you please tell me which school you choose finally?