Columbia MSOR- Financial Markets and Management for Portfolio Management/ Quant trader/Quant Researcher Roles?

[shreyasdeu]

I am applying to Columbia's MSOR due to missing out on the deadline for the Financial Engineering program. Would I be at a disadvantage if I apply to the MSOR program instead?

 

[weab]

not really

 

[Andy Nguyen]

The heyday of MSOR program as a substitute for MFE was a decade ago. Look at the Tracker for historical data.
At that time, many people applied to MFE, did not get in but got offered admission in MSOR instead.
The fact that many students can take same courses under IEOR dept gives people the idea that using Columbia name will be enough to get them a golden job.
Do not forget that Columbia MFE graduates are finding it hard to find job as is and there are several master programs under IEOR with hundred plus class size.
You want to give yourself all the advantages you can if you want to have a chance.
Yes, you may work really hard and smart to get the QT/QR job as a MSOR graduate. I don't know you personally to dismiss your chance.
That doesn't mean I would recommend MSOR as the optimal path for this. Do not gamble and pray for the best.

 

[shreyasdeu]

The heyday of MSOR program as a substitute for MFE was a decade ago. Look at the Tracker for historical data.
At that time, many people applied to MFE, did not get in but got offered admission in MSOR instead.
The fact that many students can take same courses under IEOR dept gives people the idea that using Columbia name will be enough to get them a golden job.
Do not forget that Columbia MFE graduates are finding it hard to find job as is and there are several master programs under IEOR with hundred plus class size.
You want to give yourself all the advantages you can if you want to have a chance.
Yes, you may work really hard and smart to get the QT/QR job as a MSOR graduate. I don't know you personally to dismiss your chance.
That doesn't mean I would recommend MSOR as the optimal path for this. Do not gamble and pray for the best.

Thank you for your reply , Andy. I agree with your points and will keep this in mind while making a decision. MSOR does not guarantee a path to these roles and following the tried and tested path would be the way to go forward.

 

[shreyasdeu]

not really

If you don't mind me asking, how did you come to this conclusion? Curious

 

[weab]

If you don't mind me asking, how did you come to this conclusion? Curious

columbia mfe is just an operations research masters with elements of financial engineering. QT/QR jobs will be equally difficult to get with either degree. Like Andy said, neither MFE or MSOR will get you a golden job. Either way you will have to compete with hundreds of MSOR and MFE students.