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Columbia University - MA in Mathematics of Finance

Columbia MAFN Columbia MAFN decisions...

Ok, I just finished my 2min 20s itw with Pr.Smirnov, he only asked me what I wanted to do after the master; I replied quant or trader. He said "ok, we will send you a admission form this week, try to respond quickly"
That was so d**n quick

Which was your impression about this interview?
 
Which was your impression about this interview?

Well to be honest, I was kinda disappointed, one of my friend was interviewed for the MSOR at Columbia, and the questions seemed more "interesting", more "well thought", as I said it lasted 2min and 20sec.

But, don't get me wrong, I am really glad & grateful to be admitted; I am looking forward to receiving the official email, to start preparing for next year.:)

Btaw, are you going to the MAFN?
 
Well to be honest, I was kinda disappointed, one of my friend was interviewed for the MSOR at Columbia, and the questions seemed more "interesting", more "well thought", as I said it lasted 2min and 20sec.

But, don't get me wrong, I am really glad & grateful to be admitted; I am looking forward to receiving the official email, to start preparing for next year.:)

Btaw, are you going to the MAFN?

No I chose CMU. The bad opinions about MAFN couldn't only be biased by not supporting this forum. Moreover, I have no working experience, hence I look for good career supports.
I have received the welcome package from CMU and now I understand the difference between a program under the business school and one under the math department...
 
Ok, I just finished my 2min 20s itw with Pr.Smirnov, he only asked me what I wanted to do after the master; I replied quant or trader. He said "ok, we will send you a admission form this week, try to respond quickly"
That was so d**n quick
Exactly one question?
Didn't you cover this question in your essay?
I don't see the point for this kind of "interview". To check if you can speak English?
 
I think the interview step is unique to those who apply later in the cycle, or those who were initially on the WL being considered to get bumped up into the admit pool.
 
Exactly one question?
Didn't you cover this question in your essay?
I don't see the point for this kind of "interview". To check if you can speak English?

I know it's strange but only one question
Indeed, I wrote that in my essay; maybe it was to check my english, but technically he has my toefl scores, so ...
But it doesn't really matter now, I'm glad I got in !

BTW andy, I will try to write a review when i get there; i found it strange that everybody criticizes the program given that many students from my school in France, who got in the program did not have any problems finding jobs either in NY or London after they graduate
 
No I chose CMU. The bad opinions about MAFN couldn't only be biased by not supporting this forum. Moreover, I have no working experience, hence I look for good career supports.
I have received the welcome package from CMU and now I understand the difference between a program under the business school and one under the math department...

Congrats!
But what do you mean by " I understand the difference between a program under the business school and one under the math department "? What was in the package?
 
Congrats!
But what do you mean by " I understand the difference between a program under the business school and one under the math department "? What was in the package?

Since I was admitted in 2 business programs and 2 math programs, I was able to receive a welcome package from the business ones and nothing from the math ones. In the package there were many resources about finding housing, what to do, where to eat and so on (both for Pittsburgh and Boston).
Moreover, the business admission team were very quick in answering my emails, while the others sometimes didn't reply at all. I believe that the big difference of available resources is the main cause of the different experiences I witnessed.
 
Are tuition at business-school programs more than those at math-dept programs? ;)

Well in my case yes and no.
I mean, BU is about 55k$ for 1.5 years, while MAFN is about 40k$ for only 1 year.
So in this case they are comparable.
CMU is way too expensive, but it offers many scholarships as far as I know. These cut down the total tuition and put them in the level of BU (which by the way offers scholarships as well).
The last program is based in UK, it lasts only 1 year and it is a little cheaper than MAFN.
But I know that the sample isn't so significant, and that business tuition are generally more expensive.
 
hey guys any idea by what time are all the decisions out. I am having a very hard time waiting for them to reply since I am very skeptical about getting a visa this late. can anyone please help me. I had submitted my application on the 4th of May.
 
any idea what is maximum time frame for replying. I applied early May. What are the chances of being selected this late?
 
Hi guys,
Professor Smirnov told me that he has recommanded for admission, do you know what does it mean? I'm pretty worried as some of my friends from my school who are also in contact with columbia for the admission process at the MAFN got a phone or skype interview with him.

thanks,

jean paul
 
Hi guys,
Professor Smirnov told me that he has recommanded for admission, do you know what does it mean? I'm pretty worried as some of my friends from my school who are also in contact with columbia for the admission process at the MAFN got a phone or skype interview with him.

thanks,

jean paul
It means that you are admitted with a probability (1-e), where e is infinitesimal;) You should be waiting for the GSAS dean approval (by the way who has nothing to do with mathematics- specialized in Romance Languages). In my case, I received my official adm. letter signed by the Dean couple of hours after Pr. Smirnov emailed me saying that he has recommended me for adm.
So, congrats man!
 
Thanks dude this actually cheers me up a bit, I hope you're right! just to know, can you tell me when you received the email from Mr Smirnov?
 
Thanks dude this actually cheers me up a bit, I hope you're right! just to know, can you tell me when you received the email from Mr Smirnov?

I can confirm you that in my case the official email arrived some days later the Smirnov's one.
 
Hi..

I got an admit from Columbia MAFN and NYU-Poly...though I do believe that Columbia is a more prestigious brand name...lack of career services at Columbia is making me think twice before accepting my MAFN offer...on the other hand NYU-Poly has a big class size...which I think would be a disadvantage...But I have heard you have full access to the NYU career services there. So I am a little confused. I have accept my MAFN offer by June 25th.

Please suggest.

My Background: Engineer from Indian Institute of Tech - Delhi..Working for Last 3 years..FRM -L1.

Thanks
 
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