Baruch MFE How to Improve My Chances of Getting into the MFE Program at Baruch College

[JRE_alpa]

Are you considering pursuing a Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) degree at Baruch College? As an undergraduate student in my second year of studies at the Universidad de San Andrés in Argentina, I am already looking for ways to improve my profile and increase my chances of acceptance into the program.

The MFE program at Baruch College is known for its rigorous curriculum and high standards, and I understand the importance of building a strong profile to stand out as a competitive candidate. With this in mind, I am reaching out to the quant finance community for advice and recommendations on how to best prepare for the application process.

As I still have two years to go before I am eligible to apply, I am seeking guidance on what steps I can take in the meantime to improve my chances of acceptance. Should I pursue additional coursework in quantitative finance? Seek out internships or other work experience in the field? Or are there other activities or projects that would be particularly valuable in preparing for the MFE program?

I am open to any and all recommendations, and would be grateful for any insights or advice from those who have already been through the process. Your expertise and experiences are invaluable to me as I begin to chart my path towards pursuing the MFE degree.

If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please feel free to share them in the comments section below. I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.

 

[MikeLawrence]

Alright, well, I'm happy to hear you are thinking ahead. Full disclosure, I'm the same age (and school year) as you and I haven't gone through this before. However, I have been here working at it for longer than you have so let me try to pass on what I've worked out.

You gave no information that helps us know anything relevant about you, so it would help if you can start by answering the following question.

What are you studying?

-----> you will need lots of Math, stat, and CompSci to get into Baruch. Look at their website and see the entry requirements/Pre-MFE courses.

The Pre-MFE Program at Baruch College

Baruch Pre-MFE Information Session will take place on Wednesday, January 20, 7pm Registration here. Enrollment is now open for the 2020-2021 Pre-MFE Online seminars and will continue until all seats are filled. The Financial Engineering Program at Baruch College offers a Pre-MFE Program...

mfe.baruch.cuny.edu

Try to get (at least):
-- Multivariable Calc,
-- Real Analysis,
-- 2 semesters of calculus based probability,
-- ODE/PDE,
-- some form of numerical methods/statistical computing, and
--both Quantnet C++ courses.

If you want help studying you can always join the discord. Right now we are quite inactive as we try to get enough people on the same level to start working.
Me and @Quasar Chunawala are trying to start up a run-through of Neftci's Mathematical Finance book, which only requires calc and calculus based probability, but communication has been spotty (I was sick for a bit and just zoned out).

Discord - Group Chat That’s All Fun & Games

Discord is great for playing games and chilling with friends, or even building a worldwide community. Customize your own space to talk, play, and hang out.

discord.gg

You should definitely seek out internships. All this study is great, but largely useless until we learn to apply it in the real world. And there is a HUGE difference between theory and practice in Finance.

I'm of the opinion that projects aren't terribly helpful unless you really know what you're doing. All the top traders I know of say that the only way to learn is through trading and apprenticeship to an OLD accomplished trader. I'd focus on studying, meeting the pre-reqs, and trying to finagle your way into solid internship opportunities.

Furthermore, do yourself a solid and skip some of this guesswork by looking up "Baruch MFE" on LinkedIn. You will get many, many hits (I know from experience). Look at their education, internships, and general path, and then take the most immediate helpful step in that direction.

 

[dstefan]

As Mike said, more information about your background would help make more practical suggestions.

Generally speaking, this is what would help build a strong profile:

Relevant work experience - internships in the quant space might be hard to obtain but would be very useful.

Very good understanding of the material you study in your classes. Quality over quantity.

Strong programming skills in C++ and Python.

Good luck!

 

[JRE_alpa]

As Mike said, more information about your background would help make more practical suggestions.

Generally speaking, this is what would help build a strong profile:

Relevant work experience - internships in the quant space might be hard to obtain but would be very useful.

Very good understanding of the material you study in your classes. Quality over quantity.

Strong programming skills in C++ and Python.

Good luck!

Hi Dan, thanks for your response,

I am studying a Bachelor's Degree in Finance at Universidad de San Andrés, Argentina.
The degree contains several subjects with Quant content, and some more will be added soon.

In follow up with that, we know internships in the quant space might be hard to obtain.

That's why I thought of doing the CQF at the same time as the degree, in this way to have the knowledge of the sector and increase the possibilities of doing an internship in the quantum space. What would be your opinion about this plan?

 

[dstefan]

Hi Dan, thanks for your response,

I am studying a Bachelor's Degree in Finance at Universidad de San Andrés, Argentina.
The degree contains several subjects with Quant content, and some more will be added soon.


View attachment 47366
In follow up with that, we know internships in the quant space might be hard to obtain.

That's why I thought of doing the CQF at the same time as the degree, in this way to have the knowledge of the sector and increase the possibilities of doing an internship in the quantum space. What would be your opinion about this plan?

I think CQF is something you would want to take after graduating from college and after having several years of work experience. Certainly not something to do concurrently with an undergraduate degree.

 

[philomath_]

I think CQF is something you would want to take after graduating from college and after having several years of work experience. Certainly not something to do concurrently with an undergraduate degree.

 

[Jerr]

Alright, well, I'm happy to hear you are thinking ahead. Full disclosure, I'm the same age (and school year) as you and I haven't gone through this before. However, I have been here working at it for longer than you have so let me try to pass on what I've worked out.

You gave no information that helps us know anything relevant about you, so it would help if you can start by answering the following question.

What are you studying?

-----> you will need lots of Math, stat, and CompSci to get into Baruch. Look at their website and see the entry requirements/Pre-MFE courses.

The Pre-MFE Program at Baruch College

Baruch Pre-MFE Information Session will take place on Wednesday, January 20, 7pm Registration here. Enrollment is now open for the 2020-2021 Pre-MFE Online seminars and will continue until all seats are filled. The Financial Engineering Program at Baruch College offers a Pre-MFE Program...

mfe.baruch.cuny.edu

Try to get (at least):
-- Multivariable Calc,
-- Real Analysis,
-- 2 semesters of calculus based probability,
-- ODE/PDE,
-- some form of numerical methods/statistical computing, and
--both Quantnet C++ courses.

If you want help studying you can always join the discord. Right now we are quite inactive as we try to get enough people on the same level to start working.
Me and @Quasar Chunawala are trying to start up a run-through of Neftci's Mathematical Finance book, which only requires calc and calculus based probability, but communication has been spotty (I was sick for a bit and just zoned out).

Discord - Group Chat That’s All Fun & Games

Discord is great for playing games and chilling with friends, or even building a worldwide community. Customize your own space to talk, play, and hang out.

discord.gg

You should definitely seek out internships. All this study is great, but largely useless until we learn to apply it in the real world. And there is a HUGE difference between theory and practice in Finance.

I'm of the opinion that projects aren't terribly helpful unless you really know what you're doing. All the top traders I know of say that the only way to learn is through trading and apprenticeship to an OLD accomplished trader. I'd focus on studying, meeting the pre-reqs, and trying to finagle your way into solid internship opportunities.

Furthermore, do yourself a solid and skip some of this guesswork by looking up "Baruch MFE" on LinkedIn. You will get many, many hits (I know from experience). Look at their education, internships, and general path, and then take the most immediate helpful step in that direction.

Can you send a fresh discord link? I'm interested

 

[Lukee]

Can you send a fresh discord link? I'm interested

Join the Mathematical Finance Discord Server!

Check out the Mathematical Finance community on Discord - hang out with 392 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.

discord.com

 

[yyzchill]

As Mike said, more information about your background would help make more practical suggestions.

Generally speaking, this is what would help build a strong profile:

Relevant work experience - internships in the quant space might be hard to obtain but would be very useful.

Very good understanding of the material you study in your classes. Quality over quantity.

Strong programming skills in C++ and Python.

Good luck!

Can non finance work experience, say in data science be sufficient? I’m finding it difficult to get finance related work experience which is one of the reasons I’m looking to the program as a way to pivot.

 

[dstefan]

Can non finance work experience, say in data science be sufficient? I’m finding it difficult to get finance related work experience which is one of the reasons I’m looking to the program as a way to pivot.

There is no work requirement for admission to the Baruch MFE Program, although relevant work experience does strengthen one's application.

Furthermore, data science experience would be useful, work experience does not have to be finance related in order to be useful.

 

[Kritin]

There is no work requirement for admission to the Baruch MFE Program, although relevant work experience does strengthen one's application.

Furthermore, data science experience would be useful, work experience does not have to be finance related in order to be useful.

I am deeply impressed by the program offered by the Baruch Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) Program and am passionate about pursuing a career in Quantitative Finance. I hold a recent undergraduate degree in Computer Science, complemented by Data Science certifications, and have gained valuable work experience as a Data Engineer in a startup environment.

I have observed that only 15-20% of students pursuing a master's in Quantitative Finance have an undergraduate major in Computer Science. Could this present a disadvantage for me during the enrollment process for an MFE program?

I would greatly appreciate your advice on how to best prepare for enrollment into the Baruch MFE program.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

 

[dstefan]

> have observed that only 15-20% of students pursuing a master's in Quantitative Finance have an undergraduate major in Computer Science. Could this present a disadvantage for me during the enrollment process for an MFE program?

Not at all, the specific undergraduate major does not matter so long as the required knowledge is strong. Good luck.

 

[kombuchalover]

@dstefan I have looked at the Baruch MFE admissions website and haven't seen any mention of certifications... out of curiosity, do you believe certifications like FRM, CFA, etc. impact admissions decisions much? Or does Baruch focus more on the things mentioned in the website: transcripts, QBA, interviews and essay?

 

[dstefan]

@dstefan I have looked at the Baruch MFE admissions website and haven't seen any mention of certifications... out of curiosity, do you believe certifications like FRM, CFA, etc. impact admissions decisions much? Or does Baruch focus more on the things mentioned in the website: transcripts, QBA, interviews and essay?

CFA and FRM certifications are certainly not required. They would be considered as small positives.

 

[lance_wilmo]

Join the Mathematical Finance Discord Server!

Check out the Mathematical Finance community on Discord - hang out with 392 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.

discord.com

Hi! Can you repost the link please? The existing link has expired.

 

[dummy_actuary]

Hello @dstefan! Would Baruch MFE consider FSA certification (with Quantitative Finance track) as meeting some of the prerequisites given? Or does it impact the admission decision at all?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Hello @dstefan! Would Baruch MFE consider FSA certification (with Quantitative Finance track) as meeting some of the prerequisites given? Or does it impact the admission decision at all?

Per his comment above, I would suspect this is a small item you put in the positive column. Unlikely to be affect decision much but doesn’t hurt to have. If given a choice between FSA, I would spend more effort on other area such as programming and math courses.