COMPARE Columbia MFE vs Princeton MFin

[debsoon]

Hi all,

I know there is a post below about Princeton MFin vs Columbia MSOR, but I guess the considerations would be different if it were Columbia MSFE I was considering instead? Was just wondering what the general opinion on which program is likely to be better - based on reputation, applicability of what is learnt, location of school, etc.

Thanks so much!

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Your best bet is to learn from people who actually studied in those programs instead of asking people who only read about them.

We have reviews of Columbia MFE by their grads. I don't think we have any review from Princeton yet. We'll work to get in a few soon.

Columbia University - Masters in Financial Engineering - Reviews

quantnet.com

 

[ForsFortisAlice]

Hi all,

Could anyone share some insights about Princeton MFin and Columbia MFE? Which program would you choose? Thanks!

 

[Pavlos Sakoglou]

Hi all,

Could anyone share some insights about Princeton MFin and Columbia MFE? Which program would you choose? Thanks!

From what I heard from people who have been admitted in those programs, both are very mathematical and rigorous. The only possible difference, career-wise, is that Columbia is in NYC and gives you better chances to network, but on the other hand Princeton is prestigious as well, and you will get a job almost surely, if you succeed in your studies there. But from what I know, both programs, essentially, are equally good.

 

[Mensa]

Go Princeton.

Princeton has smaller class size and much better diversity.

Program quality and placement results are both excellent.

 

[pingu]

Hi all,

Could anyone share some insights about Princeton MFin and Columbia MFE? Which program would you choose? Thanks!

Go to Princeton. If you go to Columbia you will be put together with the Mathematics of Finance and the Operational Research bunch (and there is a bunch) in the eyes of the street. Some people will know the difference and some won't.

if you have the choice, congratulations... and go to Princeton.

 

[TrevorZhou]

Go Princeton.

I am absolutely not a racist, but honestly, except Princeton (or plus Berkeley), most of the students in top MFE programs are Asian and more than a half are Chinese. Princeton has smaller class size and much better diversity.

Program quality and placement results are both excellent.

Do agree Princeton is better but for different reasons. If you care enough to check the past class profiles what you said is true for Princeton as well. And my bet is if you wanna stay in quantifiable finance, it is always true wherever you go.

If you are so confident you are not racist, dare you say the same thing but change Chinese/Asian to blacks?

 

[Mensa]

Do agree Princeton is better but for different reasons. If you care enough to check the past class profiles what you said is true for Princeton as well. And my bet is if you wanna stay in quantifiable finance, it is always true wherever you go.

If you are so confident you are not racist, dare you say the same thing but change Chinese/Asian to blacks?

"If you care enough to check the past class profiles what you said is true for Princeton as well"

You should go check again, that situation is not in Princeton. You may be too sensitive. What I stressed is just "smaller size and better diversity".

How do you understand "diversity"? If more than 50% of the program are from a same group, that is not a good diversity. And I can assert that what you said "if you wanna stay in quantifiable finance, it is always true wherever you go." is not true when comparing the overall industry.

 

[TrevorZhou]

You should go check again, that situation is not in Princeton. You may be too sensitive. What I stressed is just "smaller size and better diversity".

How do you understand "diversity"? If more than 50% of the program are from a same group, that is not a good diversity. And I can assert that what you said "if you wanna stay in quantifiable finance, it is always true wherever you go." is not true when comparing the overall industry.

I'm not sensitive at all. Just sick of people publicly pick on Asians/Chinese and nobody says anything. Like I said, try blacks, Jewish, Arabs, Catholics, Christian, etc next time. Even a fool knows what comes after "I'm not a racist,", "No offense, but". Why never had I heard you say "oh the university if full of whites, I want better diversity?" I think you know what you meant better than anyone else.

You can obviously address the same meaning by simply saying "You will have a better environment speaking English and a close-knit community." but you chose what you chose.

 

[avarava]

I'm not sensitive at all. Just sick of people publicly pick on Asians/Chinese and nobody says anything. Like I said, try blacks, Jewish, Arabs, Catholics, Christian, etc next time. Even a fool knows what comes after "I'm not a racist,", "No offense, but". Why never had I heard you say "oh the university if full of whites, I want better diversity?" I think you know what you meant better than anyone else.

You can obviously address the same meaning by simply saying "You will have a better environment speaking English and a close-knit community." but you chose what you chose.

Easy there buddy with all the "Racism" accusations. There was nothing in Mensa's comments that paints him or his comments as racist. I am also an Asian and would avoid schools which have disproportionate representation of any demography (Whites, Blacks, Chinese, Indian, Arabs, Dwarves.....).

Coming on the topic, my vote is for Princeton for the same reason my vote is for Bernie...which is trustworthiness. Any school that passes cryptic information for placement statistics will never get my tuition dollar. On the other hand, a transparent and detailed placement information is always a turn on. Besides, like the erstwhile big brand British schools (Oxford, LSE etc.) Columbia is rapidly moving to the "brand renteering" business. The school is starting too many money making programs and trying to sell these to unsuspecting suckers for "Brand".

 

[MRoss]

Princeton gets my vote.