Columbia MAFN waitlist advice

[john k]

I have just been waitlisted for the Columbia MAFN and I was wondering if there was anything I could do to improve my chances while I wait to hear back. They didn't really say anything about contacting admissions in the meantime but I have my heart set on this program and I would like to be as proactive as possible without coming off as annoying/rude.

I read that it might be helpful to submit additional letters of recommendation, but I don't know if I have any other quality options left. One idea I had considered was spending a few days putting together some code in Python since I mentioned that I was learning it in my spare time in my application. Ideally this would demonstrate that I was earnestly interested in the subject and willing to work and learn independently. I am currently working through a computational investing class on Coursera and have also picked up Quantitative Trading by Ernie Chan and was thinking that building out some of the material from these sources and submitting it might reflect positively on my application.

In any case, if anyone has any suggestions as to how I might approach all of this they would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Chen Yaxiong]

We are on the same boat and I have the similar question. But I would rather be pessimistic under this situation and get ready for rejection in couples of weeks. At this moment, most admission have been sent out and I guess very few people will turn down them. The best thing we could do now is probably cross fingers.
Anyway, any similar experiences are welcome!

 

[Finance Applicant]

General guidelines: don't do anything out of the ordinary (such as your Python idea). Most of the time any additional information (such as rec letters) that you already provided in your application will not help. Anything out of the ordinary (ie one kid sent a watermelon to CMU for undergrad - I forgot where I read it from) will probably get you rejected. Kind of funny imo. But just stick to the basics, which is normally a letter saying it's your top choice and something along the lines of you will go FOR SURE if you get accepted. Otherwise, don't do much. The admissions might get annoyed if you do... good luck.

 

[Jimmy Huang]

You could just email Laurent for an early decision, he is very nice.

 

[john k]

Ok, thanks for the input; I will send out a letter tomorrow. Does anyone know if my status on the wait list will basically eliminate any chance I have of getting into my second choice program with the school?

 

[Jimmy Huang]

Ok, thanks for the input; I will send out a letter tomorrow. Does anyone know if my status on the wait list will basically eliminate any chance I have of getting into my second choice program with the school?

I think different programs have seperate admission committee, so do not worry about it.

 

[Christopher lee]

is there such thing as a short priority waitlist or are you on a regular waitlist?

 

[CasanovaJ]

I have my heart set on this program

As someone who's about to graduate from it in three weeks, I'd honestly be dying to know why...

Anything out of the ordinary (ie one kid sent a watermelon to CMU for undergrad - I forgot where I read it from) will probably get you rejected.

The Python idea's pretty lame, but I'd admit someone who sent me a watermelon. (y)

 

[Christopher lee]

As someone who's about to graduate from it in three weeks, I'd honestly be dying to know why...


The Python idea's pretty lame, but I'd admit someone who sent me a watermelon.

what dou not like about this program?

 

[IntoDarkness]

must be the lack of career support...

 

[mhy]

must be the lack of career support...

I visited the department a few years ago when I was admitted to MAFN. Suffice to say it wasn't the most welcoming of atmospheres. It was basically "Here's our courses, here's our electives. Take these and you will get your degree."

Which is fine, because it's Columbia and all.

 

[CasanovaJ]

I visited the department a few years ago when I was admitted to MAFN. Suffice to say it wasn't the most welcoming of atmospheres. It was basically "Here's our courses, here's our electives. Take these and you will get your degree."

Sounds about right...

must be the lack of career support...

I ended up with a very decent job offer, but it was no thanks to MAFN, and it took six months longer than it should have-- I still have very smart friends with no jobs, and we're graduating in two weeks.

And the curriculum is a mess.

 

[Reyn S]

Sounds about right...


I ended up with a very decent job offer, but it was no thanks to MAFN, and it took six months longer than it should have-- I still have very smart friends with no jobs, and we're graduating in two weeks.

And the curriculum is a mess.

So here you mean that it's not easy to get an internship with this MAFN degree, right?

 

[Christopher lee]

Sounds about right...


I ended up with a very decent job offer, but it was no thanks to MAFN, and it took six months longer than it should have-- I still have very smart friends with no jobs, and we're graduating in two weeks.

And the curriculum is a mess.

would you consider mafn below rutgers msmf ucla mfe baruch mfe minnesota msmf chicago msmf?

 

[CasanovaJ]

So here you mean that it's not easy to get an internship with this MAFN degree, right?

As far as the Americans/French went, most of us did the program in two semesters, looked for full-time positions, and the few of us who had relevant work experience generally did fine (although it was much tougher than it should have been) while the ones trying to "break into finance" seem to be having some trouble but I'm sure they'll get something.

 

[bigbadwolf]

As far as I'm concerned, they can all get deported

Amen.

 

[CasanovaJ]

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[CasanovaJ]

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[CasanovaJ]

So you mean the rest are not friendly? What is your definition of "friendly"? Does everybody have to stand in line and wait for talking to you to show how friendly they are?
And I don't understand why can't they speak Chinese? So you think it really bothers you when they were speaking Chinese to each other? And then you told me you were not a racist? Come on, man!

You're an idiot.

 

[CasanovaJ]

Oh really? Thank you for showing me how friendly Americans are.

(y)