Help Evaluate My MFE Profile (BE HONEST)

[drewverzino]

Hello everyone,
I’m planning to apply to several MFE and Quantitative Finance programs soon and would really appreciate any feedback on whether my profile is competitive or if I’m aiming too high.

Academic Background:
I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Modeling & Simulation and Artificial Intelligence from a top U.S. technical university (Georgia Tech). I expect to graduate with a GPA around 3.97/4.00.
My coursework has been fairly quantitative, covering:

• Applied Combinatorics, Differential Equations, Probability & Statistics, Econometrics, Time Series Analysis
• Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Science, Data Structures & Algorithms, Automata & Complexity
• Finance & Investments, Accounting, and several courses in management and computing
  My undergrad research has included building a Transformer-based credit risk model and developing a multi-agent reinforcement learning simulator for trading.

Test Scores:

• GRE: 170 Quant, 158 Verbal, 5.0 AWA

Work Experience:

• 2 Summer internships at a bulge bracket bank (Morgan Stanley), focused on data engineering and migration frameworks integrating GenAI tools
• Capstone consulting project with a large credit bureau (Equifax) applying ML to credit risk segmentation
• Leadership experience managing a $50k student-run equity portfolio and mentoring junior quant analysts

Skills & Certifications:

• Proficient in Python, C++, Java, SQL, TensorFlow, scikit-learn, Backtrader, and financial modeling libraries
• Experience with Monte Carlo simulation, PDE solvers, variance reduction techniques, and backtesting frameworks
• Currently enrolled in the Baruch MFE C++ Programming for Financial Engineering course to strengthen my C++ and numerical methods skillset
• No CFA or FRM yet, but several advanced ML courses completed

Acceptances So Far:

• Georgia Tech Quantitative & Computational Finance (QCF)
• UC Berkeley MFE

Concerns:

• While I have strong ML and programming exposure, I have not taken formal real analysis or advanced stochastic calculus (just calc, linear algebra, and applied probability/stats)
• I’m also concerned whether my background might be viewed as too applied or too focused on machine learning rather than rigorous financial mathematics

Target Programs:
Here are the programs I’m considering (no particular order):

• Carnegie Mellon MSCF
• MIT Master of Finance
• Columbia MFE
• Princeton MFin (I know this one is extremely competitive)
• Baruch MFE
• UChicago Financial Mathematics
• NYU Courant MFE (maybe a safety?)

My goal post-graduation would be to move directly into a buy-side quant research or systematic trading role.

Questions:

• Am I being unrealistic about aiming for some of these top programs?
• Should I prioritize taking a real analysis or stochastic processes course before applying?
• Are there any other programs you’d recommend that have good placements into buy-side quant roles?

Thank you all in advance for your advice and perspective!

 

[arohan]

You tick all the boxes imo. Just focus on your SoP and Essays.

 

[the_bolt_the_lightning_the_thunder]

You go to a good school with decent professional experience, why do you want to spend time trying to get into an mfe instead of just focusing on getting jobs?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Hey Drew,
If you are a domestic applicant, I think you should apply to all programs your heart desires. You may have a better shot than you assume.
Just make sure the programs you pick provide you with the curriculum and career opportunities for your target roles.
Join their online info sessions, learn about their career prospect and ask about the job profiles you aiming for. Ask them to connect you with alumni in similar jobs. Learn from those alumni how the programs prepare them for the job, etc.

 

[drewverzino]

You tick all the boxes imo. Just focus on your SoP and Essays.

Thanks arohan—really appreciate it. That’s reassuring to hear. I’ll definitely focus on tightening my SOP and essays to make sure my background comes through clearly.

 

[drewverzino]

You go to a good school with decent professional experience, why do you want to spend time trying to get into an mfe instead of just focusing on getting jobs?

That’s a fair question. I’ve thought about going straight into the job market, but I see the MFE as a way to build a deeper foundation in financial mathematics and to get access to recruiting pipelines that are harder to crack from undergrad. I’m also interested in the structured buy-side quant training some of these programs provide. But you’re right—I’m keeping job applications in parallel as a backup.

 

[drewverzino]

Hey Drew,
If you are a domestic applicant, I think you should apply to all programs your heart desires. You may have a better shot than you assume.
Just make sure the programs you pick provide you with the curriculum and career opportunities for your target roles.
Join their online info sessions, learn about their career prospect and ask about the job profiles you aiming for. Ask them to connect you with alumni in similar jobs. Learn from those alumni how the programs prepare them for the job, etc.

Thanks so much, Andy—really appreciate you taking the time to weigh in. That’s helpful perspective, especially about joining info sessions and connecting with alumni. I am a domestic applicant, so it’s good to hear you think I have a solid shot. I’ll definitely make sure to do more due diligence on the curriculum, placement stats, and alumni outcomes before finalizing my list.

 

[MikeLawrence]

You are well prepared, apply to many and see what happens.

Don't waste time with Real Analysis and Stochastic calc before the mfe. What Stochastic calc you need will be taught during, focus on interview preparation. Work through Dan Stefanica's books at fepress.org.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Thanks so much, Andy—really appreciate you taking the time to weigh in. That’s helpful perspective, especially about joining info sessions and connecting with alumni. I am a domestic applicant, so it’s good to hear you think I have a solid shot. I’ll definitely make sure to do more due diligence on the curriculum, placement stats, and alumni outcomes before finalizing my list.

I would strongly build a personal impression with the programs you truly want to join. You can do that by participating in their info sessions either online or in person. More often than not, the staff are more likely to remember the applicants who show interest in person. It's really hard to stand out among the hundreds of applications where everyone seems to have a similar background or names.
It may be a good idea to visit these programs in person when they do open house. The impression you get from a visit is much more important than anything you can glance online. Strongly recommended it.

 

[nuraV]

You are well prepared, apply to many and see what happens.

Don't waste time with Real Analysis and Stochastic calc before the mfe. What Stochastic calc you need will be taught during, focus on interview preparation. Work through Dan Stefanica's books at fepress.org.

wouldn't doing stochastic calc in undergrad before applying show the admissions your stronger math background and make you more competitive compared to other candidates who may have not taken it?

 

[MikeLawrence]

wouldn't doing stochastic calc in undergrad before applying show the admissions your stronger math background and make you more competitive compared to other candidates who may have not taken it?

Sure. But it should be near the bottom of the list for things you need to prepare.

 

[nuraV]

Sure. But it should be near the bottom of the list for things you need to prepare.

what would you say is at the top?
I thought that academics, gpa matter a lot, especially with higher level courses