• C++ Programming for Financial Engineering
    Highly recommended by thousands of MFE students. Covers essential C++ topics with applications to financial engineering. Learn more Join!
    Python for Finance with Intro to Data Science
    Gain practical understanding of Python to read, understand, and write professional Python code for your first day on the job. Learn more Join!
    An Intuition-Based Options Primer for FE
    Ideal for entry level positions interviews and graduate studies, specializing in options trading arbitrage and options valuation models. Learn more Join!

Do domestic students have an advantage?

Joined
4/5/11
Messages
78
Points
18
Do domestic students have an advantage applying to MFE programs since most applicants are international students? I am just curious.
 
yes and no.

are domestic students benefactors of affirmative discrimination-type programs? probably, and most likely almost certainly post-crisis when tarp was around.

however, they're also probably at a disadvantage when it comes to preparation since the us education system thinks it's more important that you feel good about spelling the word cat "katt" than it does the fact that you spelled it mind numbingly incorrectly.

all that said, it's the same with other affirmative discrimination programs in the us; programs take on underprepared domestics at their own peril, as these students will probably have trouble with the curriculum.
 
I would say yes.

Many programs have much higher acceptance rate for domestic students than international students (if you group the applicants into two separate groups).
 
I would say yes.

Many programs have much higher acceptance rate for domestic students than international students (if you group the applicants into two separate groups).

What are the criteria for that advantage do you think?
 
Perhaps part of the reason they are accepted at a higher rate is that they might be more likely to succeed afterward due to the ease of assimilation into American business culture even if they don't have the same level of preparation going into the program.
 
If all things being equal, domestic applicants will be more attractive to programs because
1) There is no visa issue so much better job prospect
2) Better English (duh!)
3) Can be used on marketing materials which attracts more domestic and foreign students alike
4) Diversify the student body
5) More attractive to prospective employers because like it or not, people want to hire someone who look and sound just like them

The list goes on.

Now, "all things being equal" is a very big catch and I expect some programs will scarify a bit of quality to attract domestic students.

So if you are a domestic student and read these unspoken truth, how would you take advantage?
1) There is no excuse for you to not have a great GRE. If you get a 750Q GRE, your color be damned, they are not that into you.
2) Market yourself as a quantitative person who is a career savvy. This means fill your transcript with worthy math/CS courses.
3) Become a frequent reader of industry magazines like WSJ, FT, Economics
4) Become a member of all the quant community and participate in them
 
Back
Top