Feedback on MFE Application

[diegogomezpy]

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for some feedback on my application so I can maximize my admissions chances. I’m a Latin American student studying in the U.S. at a Midwest state school, double-majoring in finance and mathematics. My GPA is excellent, and I’m confident in my ability to write a strong Statement of Purpose and secure strong letters of recommendation.

My main concern is that my internship experience was in my home country and doesn’t carry a well-known brand name. I’m wondering how much the lack of prestige in both my school and internship will affect my chances, and how I can best position myself to overcome this hurdle.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Hey Diego,
As long as you have good grades in all the required courses for the MFE programs, you should have a good shot.
Do you know C++ or Python well? Are you able to interview well?
Have you done all the interview books?
There are plenty of items on the checklist to cover. Brand name school and internship may not play as big a role as you make them out to be.
Let us know your background, your preparation, your target programs and let's work together to get you into those top MFE programs.

 

[diegogomezpy]

Hello Andy,

Thanks for the reply. I’m solid in Python and VBA but I don't know C++ . I haven't started interview prep so some recommendations on books would be very appreciated.

My background is a mix of math and finance with some project experience in modeling and coding. Target programs include Princeton MFin, Columbia MFE/MAFN, CMU MSCF, Cornell MFE, MIT MFin, NYU MathFin, Oxford.

Right now I am mostly focusing on my courses and writing good applications, and I'll start heavy interview prep in December.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Thanks for the reply. I’m solid in Python and VBA but I don't know C++ . I haven't started interview prep so some recommendations on books would be very appreciated.

What will really strengthen your applications is to take the C++ course, start doing leetcode right after that while going this list.

Thread 'MFE Recruiting Reality Check: What Every Incoming Student Needs to Know'

4/10/25

So you got into a MFE Program… Now What?​

There are plenty of articles on how to get into a MFE program… but how do you prepare for the intensely competitive internship recruiting that comes with a graduate program in quantitative finance?

I’m happy to share some insights from my three years of experience working in Career Services for Carnegie Mellon’s MSCF (Master of Science in Computational Finance) program.

The Reality of U.S. Recruitment
*Note: As majority of my students have landed internships and full-time roles in the US, I will focus on how to prepare for...

• Ash Cross
• Replies: 14
• Forum: Articles

• 
•