Hi all,
I’m deciding between CMU MSCF and CBS MSFE and would love some advice.
I’m not entirely sure if I want to do quant long-term, but I’m considering a career in PE or Hedge Funds, ideally in fundamental or macro investing. I enjoy investment strategy and decision-making but still want to leverage my technical skills—just not in a purely quant role.
Here’s how I see each program (correct me if I’m wrong):
CMU MSCF – Stronger career support, especially in quant finance, with structured recruiting and practical courseworks. But I worry it leans too much toward quant trading & systematic investing, which isn’t exactly my focus. It’s also more affordable in terms of tuition and living costs.
Columbia MSFE – The coursework seems more aligned with my previous backgrounds and my interets towards PE & fundamental hedge funds, but I’ve heard mixed things about job placement and career support. I couldn’t find 2024 placement data, so I’m unsure how strong the buy-side recruiting is.
Overall, my biggest concerns are:
- Which program has better buy-side placement for the field other than pure quant?
- Will CMU limit my chances of breaking into PE/Macro roles?
Would love to hear from alumni or anyone with insight. Thanks!
