How to satisfy Baruch's C++ requirement?

[nahid_]

I know the most popular answer here and elsewhere on the internet is to take the pre-MFE course offered by Baruch through Quantnet, but that is way too expensive for me. Plus, since application season is here, I don't have 16 weeks at hand. I could only afford subscription for sites Coursera or Udemy or DataCamp. Can you suggest how else I might satisfy this requirement?

I saw a comment on a Reddit thread recommending Udemy's Beginning C++ Programming - From Beginner to Beyond created by Tim Buchalka and Dr Frank Mitropoulos. Do you think this would be good enough for Baruch? Would have any more suggestions?

 

[little_radish]

I attended a few of Baruch's admission events. They mentioned that the Pre-MFE courses are not mandatory, but you must demonstrate an understanding of probability, calculus, linear algebra, C++, and their applications in finance. I think a more affordable approach is to study the NLA and Linear Algebra books and try to understand as much as possible.
Edit: hey sorry I missed that you were asking about C++. I think you can take the class elsewhere but try to take it at a credible institution, like a community college. I took a C++ OOP class at Oakton community college before. The tuition is ~$400-500 and the course was like 8 weeks. I remember I didn’t take their most advanced class, so it only covered the basic of class and polymorphism. I still decided to take the Quantnet C++ course though because I want the knowledge of financial application as well. I have to say the Quantnet course is really worth it.

 

[JustAnimish]

Hey Nahid, hope this answer helps as I asked Director Stefanica the same question and how I interpreted his answer.

Baruch’s MFE department goes over each student’s application on a completely individual basis. If you were a Computer Science Major in your Undergraduate Studies, then not taking a C++ course, because your University preferred Java instead, will not affect you negatively. In other words, picking up C++ for a CS graduate who has already learned at least 3 or 4 programming languages (well) is not difficult.

So, essentially they’ll correctly enforce the requirements based on each person’s context. It’s also due to their mandatory interview and QBA which will clear up whether the applicant can demonstrate all requirements together.

If your academic background is different or you’re changing careers, then likely taking the C++ Seminar is the best idea. If you don’t in this context, the QBA and interview might be difficult.

Hope that clears it up,
Animish

 

[Andy Nguyen]

I think you can take the class elsewhere but try to take it at a credible institution, like a community college. I took a C++ OOP class at Oakton community college before. The tuition is ~$400-500 and the course was like 8 weeks. I remember I didn’t take their most advanced class, so it only covered the basic of class and polymorphism. I still decided to take the Quantnet C++ course though because I want the knowledge of financial application as well. I have to say the Quantnet course is really worth it.

This is a good advice. There are many free or inexpensive online courses that teach C++. There are some courses that are even more expensive than the ones offered by Baruch and Quantnet.
That said, I haven’t seen anything that is close to the value that the QuantNet C++ course offers. You can’t find another course that has an experienced Wall Street professional your personal TA who gives practical industry advice on coding practice.

As many students who completed the course will tell you, it is well worth the cost (which has not changed since 2011). Many CS students even said that they learn more from the course than those they took in college.

Just decide what works best for your situation. After all, this is just a tiny fraction of the cost of a quant graduate degree and even smaller compared to the compensation that graduates of top MFE programs make.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

I am the originator of the QN C++ courses

Some background on how it evolved

An Interview with Daniel J. Duffy: The Origins of C++ in Quantitative Finance | magazine.thalesians.com

magazine.thalesians.com

// I was the first C++ developer + company in the Netherlands.