Columbia MAFN Columbia MAFN Admission Discussion

[Shadowfox]

FYI! MAFN Candidates do not graduate around August/September they graduate in May

 

[cdirnfeld]

Hi everyone,

I was accepted (a while ago) into the MAFN program.

 

[Shadowfox]

If any one has created the facebook group for incoming student please let me know..Else I am happy to create one.

 

[cdirnfeld]

I don't think anyone has created a group so please feel free to start one.

 

[Shadowfox]

group done.. P.S. I have never moderated a facebook group before. In case someone is interested in moderating the group, Please let me know. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ColumbiaMAFN2013/

 

[FlowerShin]

Hi
I just spoke to my MD in my previous firm Credit Suisse.... He from a recruiter point of view said that short duration of MAFN course is definitely a point of consideration... He said an internship would add much more value to the resume and also help international students get an idea about different jobs in the field plus build contacts too.. In addition he pointed out that most firms avoid recruiting MAFN candidates as they graduate around August / September when the quota for H1B VISAs is exhausted.... Have you found out how the 3 semester thing pans out? Can you give us more details on it ?...

Thank you so much for your information.
I have asked Laurent Breach, the coordinator of MAFN.
He said that more details should be explained during the orientation. In the mail, he explained that for the third semester, you should take at least one selective. Once you've finished the 6 mandatory and 4 selective in 2 semesters, you have to graduate at once.
Besides, written on my I-20 form, the length of program is up to 18 months.
And I have also heard that for MAFN students, it is possible to have an OPT visa for up to 12+17 months.

 

[ranav]

Got admitted into MAFN at columbia. MAFN can be completed in either 1 year or 1.5 years. I would prefer the later as that ways I can do an internship. Can anyone throw some light on the 3 terms option. Does Columbia allow me to take the courses and pay per credit instead of the full term fee which is nearly 30k?
Also, what research assistantship options are available. I am interested in it both from a financing option of view as well as from learning perspective.

Any insights will be of great help!

 

[Reyn S]

Greetings everyone,
I am currently waitlisted in Columbia MAFN, and it is said that it's a short waitlist and takes just few weeks to get the final result. However, I am currently admitted into Oxford Mathematical and Computational Finance, and they request me to accept my offer before 10th of May to get into it. So here comes the problem, should I just wait or go to the Oxford program?
here's some pros and cons:
Oxford
Advantage:
1 Nice brand reputation.
2 Relatively low living cost and tuition fee ( which I do not care so much ).
3 Perfect living and academic environment.
4 30-40 of class sizes.
Disadvantage:
1 Not easy to the City because of immigration policy, and because I have no time for internship during this program, it is hard to stay in UK for financial working, maybe I have to move to HK or Singapore after graduation.
2 The course structure is quite theoretical and extremely heavy.
3 It goes directly from October to August next year, no time for internship.
4 The career service is not so good, or I should say, almost no career service in this program.
5 It seems that this course is kinda phD oriented.

Columbia
Advantage:
1 Also nice brand reputation (IVY!).
2 New York city, USA, tons of opportunities.
3 It is said that it's more practical.
4 3-semesters structure, this allows me to get some internship during summer vacation. Also, that wouldn't put a heavy burden like Oxford to rush all courses in 10 months, and if possible, I could learn more things by this longer time.
5 Highly ranked in Quantnet!
6 According to an alumni, they do have a great chance to get internship during summer, even for asia.
Disadvantge:
1 Relatively high living cost and tuition fee.
2 Maybe few computing courses in this program?
3 Have no advantage compared to Columbia MFE and New York MathFin, so the competition is quite fierce, even though more opportunities.
4 The environment may be a little bit fickle? or maybe the public security is not so good?

So could you please give me some advice, I would really appreciate that. And if possible, anyone could tell me some tips to get higher in waitlist?

 

[Mensa]

Just email Laurent your situation, and request an early decision by May 10th.

 

[Reyn S]

Just email Laurent your situation, and request an early decision by May 10th.

But it's said that early decision would be extreme strict, that takes risk.

 

[Mensa]

But it's said that early decision would be extreme strict, that takes risk.

But you have no choice, and there were cases that people got admission after requesting early decision.

 

[Reyn S]

But you have no choice, and there were cases that people got admission after requesting early decision.

Thanks for your advice. But actually my point is more focused on the comparison of these two programs, any advice?

 

[Mensa]

Thanks for your advice. But actually my point is more focused on the comparison of these two programs, any advice?

I am not familiar with Oxford MCF program, but considering the visa policy in UK, if you get Columbia, I suggest you go.

 

[Reyn S]

I am not familiar with Oxford MCF program, but considering the visa policy in UK, if you get Columbia, I suggest you go.

Thanks a lot, it's all about the visa policy.

 

[stellarsubset]

But you have no choice, and there were cases that people got admission after requesting early decision.

So you're saying that most of the people that have gotten admitted so far are the ones that have requested early decision because they have offers elsewhere?

They claim they do rolling admission on their website, yet most people are still in the 'Pending' stage on the Tracker. I'm assuming they are just waiting until all apps come in at the deadline?

 

[Reyn S]

So you're saying that most of the people that have gotten admitted so far are the ones that have requested early decision because they have offers elsewhere?

They claim they do rolling admission on their website, yet most people are still in the 'Pending' stage on the Tracker. I'm assuming they are just waiting until all apps come in at the deadline?

Maybe they said that it is just a short waitlist，but the result would be announced only after they finish all reviews.

 

[stellarsubset]

Maybe they said that it is just a short waitlist，but the result would be announced only after they finish all reviews.

Oh really? Did they say that in the email? I'm just shocked that they are able to place people on the waitlist this early. I understand if there's a very strong candidate and they admit him/her. I also understand the opposite situation, if the person doesn't have enough credentials. But why not just wait to respond to everyone else who is in the middle?

Just curious, when did you apply and when did you get the waitlist notification?

 

[Reyn S]

Oh really? Did they say that in the email? I'm just shocked that they are able to place people on the waitlist this early. I understand if there's a very strong candidate and they admit him/her. I also understand the opposite situation, if the person doesn't have enough credentials. But why not just wait to respond to everyone else who is in the middle?

Just curious, when did you apply and when did you get the waitlist notification?

Really no idea, actually I do not think that my profile is so competitive compared to others'.
I applied on 10th of February, and received the notification this Monday.

 

[stellarsubset]

I have read that the MAFN program has a rolling admissions process whose deadline is May 15th. But how in the world are candidates being placed on the waitlist and subsequently admitted before all applications are reviewed or even submitted?! I see quite a few still 'Pending' statuses in the tracker for this year's cycle.

From my understanding, most waitlists exist because all offers of admissions have been sent out already and if the offers are not accepted, then the next qualified candidates are selected off of the waitlist. Does this mean if I decide to submit an application today, the best I can do is get waitlisted? In other words, is it safe to assume that all original offers are out there already, and they are just filling the last few spots?

If so, then the advertised deadline seems a bit misleading. Can anyone shed some light on this matter?

 

[Reyn S]

Well, I am also in that waitlist, and it is said to be a short waitlist.
Basically I do not think that whether you get waitlisted or admitted has anything to do with your submitting time. If your profile is strong enough, then they would admit you directly. If you do not have such a strong background to meet their criterion, but you are still a competitive one, then maybe you would be placed in that waitlist and try your luck. So personally I don't think they have sent out all offers right now. And that is the point why we need to wait in that list: by the deadline, maybe the number has not been filled, then the candidates from waitlist would come up.
By the way, I submitted it on 10th of February, but still get waitlisted.