Master Programs Comparison: Which quant program to choose?

[VEGETABLE CHICKEN]

Hi guys,
The courses between Columbia MFE and Columbia MAFN are very similar, and the career path is the same. So which one would be better if you want to work in front-office positions in the financial industry? Please show the pros and cons as well. Thank you so much!

 

[VEGETABLE CHICKEN]

please see the results

 

[rexquant]

Hello everyone,

I’m grateful that I’ve been accepted by Columbia and GaTech.
I’m very confused with making this decision.

Pro of Columbia :
1. Ivy League
2. New york
3. Higher ranking
4. 1 year course , start earning early.

Pro of GaTech
1. Cost efficient
2. Comparable or even higher average salary than Columbia (from Official stats)
3. 1.5 year course , more time for job search.


Am I thinking in the right direction ?
Could you suggest what would be a better option, career wise ? If I could afford Columbia .

 

[Enruiz]

I think Columbia is a 1.5 year course as well

 

[hgg]

MIT no brain

 

[truequant]

MIT no brain

What makes you say that?

 

[hgg]

stats of MIT vs Columbia . Placement , alumni ....

 

[PushkarJain]

How good or bad is UNCC MS Mathematical Finance as compared to Rutgers Business School MQF

 

[science_and_discovery]

My goals are to work on the buy side, hopefully in research. I would love to see what the community's thoughts are.

 

[_quanty_]

My goals are to work on the buy side, hopefully in research. I would love to see what the community's thoughts are.

I was also deciding between a few programs, among them were CMU MSCF and UChicago MPCS. I talked to several people (admissions counselors, people working in quant finance and SWE), who said if you want to go into quantitative finance, go CMU. If you want to go into SWE, go UChicago. If you're set on quant finance, CMU is probably the way to go.

 

[science_and_discovery]

I was also deciding between a few programs, among them were CMU MSCF and UChicago MPCS. I talked to several people (admissions counselors, people working in quant finance and SWE), who said if you want to go into quantitative finance, go CMU. If you want to go into SWE, go UChicago. If you're set on quant finance, CMU is probably the way to go.

That's helpful, thank you. I have read that ML experience is valuable / can help you stand out? Do you think the focus on ML can compensate for the lack of career services and difference in perception on the part of employers?

 

[_quanty_]

That's helpful, thank you. I have read that ML experience is valuable / can help you stand out? Do you think the focus on ML can compensate for the lack of career services and difference in perception on the part of employers?

There are a couple things to consider:

1) CMU MSCF requires ML courses in the curriculum and has a career services team dedicated to helping you find the perfect job in quant finance (QF) (I met some of them, they're awesome people who are awesome at their job).

2) GA Tech is significantly cheaper than MSCF in tuition, but what about when you account for future earnings? I don't know the answer. The fact that I can't find a career report for the MSCS makes it tough to determine one. Consider the impact Chat GPT will have on data science and SWE jobs.

3) When applying for QF jobs, you will be competing against people who went to CMU MSCF, MIT MFin, Columbia MFE, along with math PhDs, and many others. I'm not a quant, so I don't know if a comparative advantage in ML will help you edge out against the competition. If the CMU grads have taken 2 ML courses, how much more of an advantage do you have if you've taken 3 or 4?

I do know QF firms are looking for people with the following skills: math, statistics, coding, finance, interpersonal skills, problem solving skills. Will you be able to develop those skills at CMU? Definitely. How about at GA Tech? I'm not familiar with the program, so that's for you to explore a bit.

Go to wherever you think you'll be able to develop those skills to the fullest.

 

[cyberquant]

Hey guys!

Id like some help and additional details I may not know what will help in deciding between UCLA's MFE Program and NCSU's MFM Program.
NCSU:
[pros]
1. 100% placement rate
2. low program cost
3. near Charlotte- 2nd largest Banking region
4. Statistics focused
5. Growing in rankings
[cons]
1. less famous school

UCLA

[pros]
1. Brand name
2. Asset Management job op is higher
3. 100% placement rate

[cons]
1. Lacking pure math and computing focus
2. heard it feels like an MBA or a MS Finance compared o MFE (please correct me if i'm wrong!)

Please do list your reasons, I've also added a poll to gauge your thoughts! Than you all in advance

 

[bahu]

Which one did you end up going to?

 

[dopepanda]

So I have accepted UW CFRM program before, got everything I need, and am waiting for school to start. I was also placed into UCLA MFE's waitlist and got an email asking for my interest in attending this fall. I am wondering what are the pros/cons comparing these two programs?
I have done some research and got an impression that cfrm is more towards risk with more hard skill course set, and ucla mfe is more towards finance/business. If I want to go for trading after I graduate, which program would be better?
If UCLA were to offer me a position, and should I choose to accept it, I will have to go through visa applications all over again lol.

Background information about myself:
International Student;
Bachelor: U of Michigan Computer Science and Data Science double major, math minor;
Work: 1.5 years in Financial Data company as Quant investment software product manager, 0.5 year in Private Equity as Assistant Investment Analyst;

Would love to hear some honest advice, not just related to program selection, but also career development, work-life balance, etc.

 

[ferdyanggara]

hi sorry if my question if unrelated, but it seems that you already in quant industry already, what is the purpose for going back to school

 

[weab]

^ Masters will not help you get into trading and you already went to UMich, a well regarded school and a quantitative discipline. If you want to go into trading you just need to apply and pass interviews.

 

[dopepanda]

hi sorry if my question if unrelated, but it seems that you already in quant industry already, what is the purpose for going back to school

my first job experience is more of a product manager for a software that provides people a platform to back test and simulate their strats so I consider it a more tech related experience? Second one is more vc/pe related and there isn't much on stocks and derivatives, etc.

 

[shuvamsingh]

I am a 12 passed out, getting all colleges cs but not iit i just wanted to know which nit or iiit i should choose to get into cmu mscf or princeton mfe I will also be doing cfa and frm
Please if in your leisure time you could mention what you did right to get into cmu please
** Also which college did you pass out from **

 

[ShadawFighter]

Hi Pranay,
I am in similar situation right now.
I am IIT Madras Chem-23 passed out,
Currently working as Software Developer at Algorithmic Execution firm ( closely working with the quantitative researchers in the company)
I have cleared CFA L1, will complete L2 by may 2025.
I am deciding if to apply for MFE programs or Prepare for CAT and get into IIMs. I am considering IIM's to get into FO roles (Management consulting/PE/IB) and MFE to get into mostly Quantitative Researcher Role.
What career trajectory did you finally take, and what would you suggest to someone like me who is in similar place as you were back in 2018.