COMPARE Columbia MFE vs Chicago MSFM vs Georgia Institute of Technology QCF

[TweetyD]

I recently got admitted to UChicago's MS in Financial Mathematics program, while I also got admitted GaTech's MS QCF program and NYU Tandon's MS Financial Engineering program. Now I am confused on which one to choose.
UChic is the best out of all three, but it also the most expensive, even after my scholarship, just the tuition is over 90K USD.
NYU is good, not as expensive as UChic, after scholarship, tuition will cost me around 70k USD, but again New York is more expensive overall.
Georgia Tech is great too, and cheapest, but I think Chicago and NY will provide better opportunities.

Please help me decide which will the best to choose out of all three, in terms of future job roles, oppportnities and ROI.

Also, I got waitlisted for Columbia's MFE program, if anyone has any idea how long that will take to get to a final decision, because I have to reply to offers by 19th may.
Thanks all!

 

[Andy Nguyen]

A few GaTech QCF graduates reached out to me to share their experience. When I asked if they recommend the program, the answer is no.
They still have not secured a full-time job as of our discussion.
Their chief complaints are lack of personalized career services and the job profiles secured by the graduates.
I encouraged them to review the program on QuantNet and hopefully they do so in the near future.

 

[TweetyD]

A few GaTech QCF graduates reached out to me to share their experience. When I asked if they recommend the program, the answer is no.
They still have not secured a full-time job as of our discussion.
Their chief complaints are lack of personalized career services and the job profiles secured by the graduates.
I encouraged them to review the program on QuantNet and hopefully they do so in the near future.

Thanks for the reply.
What about UChicago and NYU ?

 

[cgmfe]

Thanks for the reply.
What about UChicago and NYU ?

I could be wrong but I think for UChicago the 90k is for the full year and half program (instead of per year) whereas for NYU it would be 70k per year. I was in a similar position and this meant UChicago in total was more affordable for me.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

The tuition on the ranking is for the full length of the program as provided by the programs. Please verify the tuition on the program's website to make sure.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Thanks for the reply.
What about UChicago and NYU ?

Just look at the reviews. Chicago has good recent positive reviews and NYU Tandon does not.
Just reach out to more Tandon alumni on LinkedIn and get their feedback.

 

[tpnv]

A few GaTech QCF graduates reached out to me to share their experience. When I asked if they recommend the program, the answer is no.
They still have not secured a full-time job as of our discussion.
Their chief complaints are lack of personalized career services and the job profiles secured by the graduates.
I encouraged them to review the program on QuantNet and hopefully they do so in the near future.

I think this year outcome will be really bad across all program as companies are not willing to sponsor like before and uncertain politics.
Unicorn candidate will definitely get offer but it’s still challenging for everyone to score one. Really disheartened to hear that even from top school like GTech is suffering in scoring opportunity.
Wishing everyone the best and may keep your heads held high as we weather this storm.

 

[knightinberlin]

Do you think it's a smarter decision to defer admission to the fall of next year? I was wondering whether waiting a year would help in figuring out which program is doing comparatively better than others in the current market?

 

[tpnv]

Do you think it's a smarter decision to defer admission to the fall of next year? I was wondering whether waiting a year would help in figuring out which program is doing comparatively better than others in the current market?

This really depend on the offer you have and what is your experience. If you can check any 2 boxes (all 3 is ideal):
1. Be accepted in a well known school or good program with strong network,
2. Have a decent number of YOE in well known multinational company or strong industry experience,
3. Strong academic background, with name on publication, research work, strong technical skills and confident can clear any interview in first try.

Then go ahead, you are unicorn that companies are looking for in this current market. But as international student, you can keep track of visa bulletin, because the GC EB3 is not in “Current” status since 03-2023 and with highly competitive H1B lottery, therefore not many willing to risk sponsoring H-1B just to re-hire again.

If you are currently employed, I think it is smarter to just keep employment to build up more savings and an extra yoe then make decision later.

Please just take this as grain of salt and gather more info from current student from your program of interest for better insight.

 

[knightinberlin]

Right, thanks for the advice. Yeah, couple of students have suggested to tick all 3 boxes since the competition for these kind of jobs is insane as an international student. Thanks! Are you planning to enrol this year?

 

[tpnv]

Right, thanks for the advice. Yeah, couple of students have suggested to tick all 3 boxes since the competition for these kind of jobs is insane as an international student. Thanks! Are you planning to enrol this year?

I actually planning to delay or attend some class of mine remotely if possible cuz I just got an offer, not interested one like front office, mrm or ds related but it’s better for me to have a 1-2 of good industry exp before deciding my next move.

 

[knightinberlin]

Cool, that sounds like a smart and mature decision.

 

[TweetyD]

I could be wrong but I think for UChicago the 90k is for the full year and half program (instead of per year) whereas for NYU it would be 70k per year. I was in a similar position and this meant UChicago in total was more affordable for me.

I believe 90K is just the tuition for UChicago, for a year and a half, and NYU's tuition is 43K per year