Columbia MAFN Cornell AOR or Columbia MAFN

[Akshat Sinha]

Hi,
I recently got admitted to Cornell for their Applied Operations Research program (redirected from FE) and at Columbia for their MAFN program.
I have got two years of solid software development experience but nothing related to finance yet ( though I am doing CFA L1 and interning at the federal bank of my country to correct that)
I have to respond with my decision within a week, which is where my dilemna lies.

Pros and cons of both choices:
Cornell:
Pros:
1. Flexible program, can take FE classes as well as data science classes
2. Better career support
3. Can take jobs in other industries if finance doesn't work out (esp in data analytics)

Cons:
1. Placement rate is only 75 percent
2. Ithaca can be isolated

Columbia MAFN
Pros:
1. Location at NY
2. Course suited for quant roles...and stat courses could be helpful for buy side jobs
3. Brand value in wall street

Cons:
1. Poor placement support
2. No internship opportunity
3. Theoretical course, though I am okay with that

Please help me decide between the two. The decision is going to be a life changing one and I am anxious to hear any input I can.
Thanks.

 

[Peteerrr]

Now MAFN can be done in two or three semesters so you will have a summer to take an internship.

 

[Akshat Sinha]

Ohh dt removes da second con of Columbia ...how is columbia mafn rated in the street?...is it more prestigious than cornell mfe? And is it differentiated from columbia mfe program?

 

[Peteerrr]

Don't know about Cornell AOR. From my point of view, Cornell mfe = Columbia mfe and they are all better than MAFN. What I am told is that the name of MAFN is enough to earn interviews for you and after that all depend on your performance.