Columbia MFE Columbia MFE Application Discussion

[roni]

I've also been redirected from MSFE to MSOR. I think we're just going to be dumped into the MSOR applicant pool now, so we're going to find out whenever the MSOR applicants find out (April?).

Having said that, should we be changing our SOPs to read that we're applying for "Master of Science in Operations Research" instead of Master of Science in Financial Engineering? Adcom obvious knows that we initially applied to MSFE...

They said nothing about this, writing a totally new SoP takes time... follow the instructions in the email, write a short paragraph explaining why MSOR is a good choice for you.

 

[achilles]

does anyone know when the msor results of redirected applicants announced last yr ?? maybe this yr too they might come at the same time.

 

[banbuzz]

For international applicants ...
I got selected for the MFE program and my application was then directed to Graduate Student Service for the document verification and they came back to me today asking for the Official Copies of Degree Certificate.

Has anyone of you provided any such document ?
Will photocopies of Degree certificate suffice or do i need to provide them with attested copy of degree certi sealed in an envelope like transcripts ?

Any help is truly appreciated . Pls advise.

 

[mcgruber]

For international applicants ...
I got selected for the MFE program and my application was then directed to Graduate Student Service for the document verification and they came back to me today asking for the Official Copies of Degree Certificate.

Has anyone of you provided any such document ?
Will photocopies of Degree certificate suffice or do i need to provide them with attested copy of degree certi sealed in an envelope like transcripts ?

Any help is truly appreciated . Pls advise.

Hi banbuzz, why are you asking this question here ? Only Columbia GSS can answer these questions. Why don't you email or call them and find out what would work ? They will certainly help you.

 

[akshatmittal]

To all those who are redirected to MSOR , As per my experience last yr

1. Status on application never changed even when one was accepted for msor
2. Last yr they introduced the telephonic interviews for MSOR to judge one's interest in joining. Now, MSFE results were out nearly 10 days earlier than this yr.. redirected MSOR candidates were interviewed around 3rd week of March and final decision was conveyed by March end.

 

[zimingsk]

Does anyone get some kinds of confirmation after sending the paragraph to Adina? even sth like " Thank you" counts....
I havent got any feedback so feel a little worried...

 

[bronson]

I didn't get any confirmation either. I'm assuming she has forwarded the paragraph to the admission committee.

 

[Sherlock]

I was redirected to the MSOR and a couple of hours ago I received an email saying I should call them for an interview March 10th or March 11th. If this helps anyone

 

[achilles]

congrats man .... anybody else u knw who received the email ??

 

[Sherlock]

I don't know about other people. And I don't think MSOR is my first choice but thanks

The interview was the same.
1. Why are you interested in the program.
2. Did you apply to any other schools. And if you are recommended for admission can we pretty much expect you to choose Columbia.
3. How do you plan to fund your studies.

Good Luck

 

[bronson]

I don't know about other people. And I don't think MSOR is my first choice but thanks

The interview was the same.
1. Why are you interested in the program.
2. Did you apply to any other schools. And if you are recommended for admission can we pretty much expect you to choose Columbia.
3. How do you plan to fund your studies.

Good Luck

Hey adt, were you waitlisted by Columbia FE or did they redirect you without waitlisting you at all?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Did any of you with an MFE admit get any email from Prof. Derman or any other faculty?

 

[Siddharth Singh]

Yes andy. Recieved a mail from Prof Derman a couple of days back

 

[feelko]

Did any of you with an MFE admit get any email from Prof. Derman or any other faculty?

Yes, he mentioned in his e-mail that we should receive the admission package on the next week

 

[Andy Nguyen]

$1M question: does receiving a personal email from the author of "My life as a Quant" really improve the odds of you going to Columbia?

 

[Siddharth Singh]

Can answer for me . I will say yes, it was mail from Prof Derman .
It gave some insight into the program and introduced the faculty members. Gave me a feeling the program cared about the students.

 

[feelko]

I think yes.
I am really enjoying when I open my mailbox and see a message from Emanuel Derman at the top.

 

[Ycohen]

$1M question: does receiving a personal email from the author of "My life as a Quant" really improve the odds of you going to Columbia?

The $500,000 question is: What are the chances Professor Derman actually wrote the email?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Touche @Ycohen
Emanuel seems more a Steve Jobs type who enjoys blogging and interacting directly with his audience so I would not be surprised if he wrote it.
Regardless, @feelko and @Siddharth Singh are proof that the email did what it is supposed to do, which is to use a personal touch to sale a product.

And it's refreshing to see MFE programs start to pay attention to marketing and reaching out to applicants like never before. It used to be the domain of MBA programs and programs that are based off the business schools. Now, the competition for programs to attract a sought after pool of talented students is getting heated. Expect to see more if these in the future.

It used to be that you throw the "Columbia", "Chicago", "Stanford", etc names out there and you can handpick what you like. Now, with multiple programs within the same university (Columbia, Rutgers) and new kids in the block (MIT), it's getting more like MBA now. Schools will have to pay to advertise and market their program better.

 

[Ycohen]

Touche @Ycohen
Emanuel seems more a Steve Jobs type who enjoys blogging and interacting directly with his audience so I would not be surprised if he wrote it.
Regardless, @feelko and @Siddharth Singh are proof that the email did what it is supposed to do, which is to use a personal touch to sale a product.

I actually think you are right on this one, Andy (as you usually are).

When I read "My Life as a Quant" long before I ever thought of becoming a quant I sent Professor Derman an email because I couldn't get one of the jokes in his book which really bothered me. He emailed me back the same day with a detailed explanation (which obviously ruined the joke but who cares?).
Your point about marketing is very interesting. I am surprised that aside from Baruch none of the schools seem to take advantage of websites such as this. The use of Facebook does seem to be on a rise though which seemed strange to me personally at first, but now I see the need.