"MFE program profile evaluation" master thread

[Andy Nguyen]

I am an undergraduate in Chemical Engineering from IIT Kanpur (one of the best institutes in India) with a CGPA of 8.1/10.
Considering that my college comes in top 10 in Asia easily and its academics is considered tough globally will the colleges consider my average grades?

Yes, admission staff are well aware of IIT colleges in India and how these marks compare to the general applicant pool.
Best of luck with your applications. Make sure to share your profile and timelines in our Tracker.

1.) Is it necessary to take TOEFL along with GRE to apply for MFE programs?

2.) I am thinking of NUS/NTU singapore univs. Is it worth going there, considering ROI?(I know that U comment only on US based programs, but just tell me whatever U feel)​

3.)I dont know much about finance(think that I am starting from level 0), so tell me how to improve in finance, so that I may not face problem after getting into the program.​

4.)I am planning for Fall 2012, but for some reasons it may not be possible for me to go for it in 2012, if it is not possible to join in FALL, should I have to wait until fall 2013 or are there any programs that intake in spring 2013?​

Thanks in Advance ​

and sorry for my bad english.​

1) Yes. TOEFL is required for most programs since you did not study in US, UK or other English-based countries.
2) NUS/NTU are regional programs with jobs prospect in the region. Look to see if you can get some of those Singaporean government scholarships.
3) Read our reading list, spend a lot of time to learn about this field.
4) If possible, try to get a job/relevant internship, get experience and save money. If you are still interested in this field one, two years from now, you will be in a better position to apply.

 

[Kiran Kumar Vanam]

Hi Andy,
you didnt replied to my question "please tell me which univs I can apply for?(reasonably good, considering ROI/placements)".

and you said:
4) If possible, try to get a job/relevant internship, get experience and save money. If you are still interested in this field one, two years from now, you will be in a better position to apply.

what kind of jobs I should look for? you mean "IT job in Finance domain?" or something else?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Rohit Taneja_iitm]

Hi,

Please review my profile.

Undergraduate in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Madras. CGPA 7.1/10. Mathematics grades --> D,D,B+ (can defend this as I screwed up my initial two semesters in all courses). B grade came in the last mathematics course. Improved academic performance in the last four semesters.
GMAT --> 730 (51,37) and 6/6
Work Experience --> Financial Sector (Trader, Quantitative Analyst with a leading I bank). Experience is now 3.5+ years.
Worked on Brownian Bridge, Hull White single factor and double factor model. Also designed a tool in Matlab to simulate Historical Simulation VAR for the client's portfolio.
CFA Level 2

Problem is my grades (especially mathematics). I have my doubts that even being from the best institute would not give me enough leverage when it comes to grades. Should I appear for GRE subject test in mathematics? I am confident of scoring above 800 (would have to spend money and time here) there. Or can I try with my present profile for Berkeley and CMU (considering my work experience).

Please advice quickly as dates for registration for GRE subject test in April are coming to a close.

 

[chinm]

Hey Andy.
This is Chinmay. . Basically, Im a third year student in DA-IICT( India) , currently done with 5 of my semesters, with 3 to go. Im doing B.Tech in Information and Communication Tech, which combines both computer science, and communications. I have done relevant subjects like Calculus, Probability and Statistics, Linear Algebra, Stochastic Simulation( concentration on Math Finance), Digital Signal Processing, and achieved top grades in all of them. I had also taken subjects like Principles of Economics, and Introduction to Business and Finance, and got high grades as well. I have a CPI of 8.25 till now, but in relevant subjects, it is above 9 on 10. I have started preparing for the GRE. I have also worked on simulating option prices under my Stochastic Simulation professor, and have a good knowledge on European and American options. Currently I am working on regime switching, and how it effects option pricing, volatility in general using hidden markov models. I want to have a future in either portfolio management, or financial analytics. I have good programming skills in C/C++/Java/Matlab.

After my graduation, without any work experience, Im planning to apply to MFE courses, MQF courses, MSCF ( CMU) course in the USA. The thing which is pulling me back is a relevant internship. I want to know:
a) Where could I possible apply for relevant summer internships in India, or abroad where I might have a good chance?
b) What are my chances for MFE and other such courses, and where should I be looking and aiming for?
c) What can I do to improve my chances for the same?
d) What is your take on MBA vs MFE?
e) Is the Math GRE subject test reqd?

Chinmay

 

[chinm]

Hey, can someone please help me with the above profile?

 

[bansalmohit]

Hey, can someone please help me with the above profile?

Please search the forum for your questions as you will find lot of questions already answered. You need to be more professional and do some homework before just asking people out there.

 

[iron_maiden]

Hey all,

I will graduate with a BSc in COMPUTER SCIENCE from the American University of Beirut which is #1 in Lebanon and among the top 5 in the Middle East.

MAJOR: Computer Science

MINORS: Mathematics - Computational Science





GPA: Cumulative 3.6/4 - Major courses 3.7/4

GRE: 800 Q / 560 V

MATH COURSES: 84/100 AVERAGE in Calculus I, II and III - Linear Algebra - Discrete Mathematics - Numerical Computing - Numerical Linear Algebra - Introduction to Analysis

WORK EXPERIENCE: Summer Internship as Software Developer at a small firm here in Lebanon. Dealt mainly with Database Systems and some Web Development.

LANGUAGES: Arabic (Native tongue), French (fluent, school education language), English (fluent, university education language).

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY: C, C++, Java, SQL, MATLAB, HTML, MS Office, VBA, MS Office, Operating Systems(Windows, Mac OS, Linux)

OTHER: Took macroeconomics course, taking Business Finance next semester

EXTRA-CURRICULAR: Founding member and VP of "Investment Management Club" at my university - Treasurer of another club - active guide in Student Affairs Office for 2 years - Winner of local university programming contest, fifth at national level


Can such a profile work for top MFE programs in the US? for possible scholarships?

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME!

 

[iron_maiden]

Feedback please! Thank you

 

[rahulshr]

Hi,
I have been into s/w development for over 12 years (Worked with Oracle/GS/IBM at Senior/lead positions), and wish to switch career by going for MFE.
My primary question is - how important is Subject Math test, for the application. Is it advisable to go for apping w/o Subject test?
I am looking forward to apply to UCLA, Berkley, Georgia Tech, and perhaps one more - yet to decide.

General GRE Score ( 3 years old) - 1310 (800+510).
B.Tech from IIT, New Delhi - 1999. Average CGPA, but very good - to - excellent grades in Mathematics courses (barring one).

Also, is it OK, if I submit references from only professional experience? It would be tough to find professors who can recommend after 12 years gap!.

 

[rahulshr]

Looks like my query killed the thread .

Seriously, any feedback / comments on my query above? Mine is pretty unique case, so I really need some feedback.
Or, just tell me its not that rare to see switches that late in career, then perhaps I might become a case of diversity.

 

[Umnik]

Hi, everybody!

I am interesting, whether I have chances of being accepted into top schools:

Education:
Specialist in mathematics (5-year degree from Russia - between BSc and Msc), graduated 4 years ago, GPA is low - 3.3.
While studying, participated in several olympiads

Experience:
1 year at Big4 Consulting, 1,5 years at Strategy department of a big state-owned mining company, almost 2 years of work in liquidity department (mostly trading bonds and structured products making) in a small bank.
Programming experienct includes C in the university and Octave.

References:
1 from my university supervisor, 1 from my current supervisor at work, 1 from my former boss (who is currently heading another company abroad)

Tests:
TOEFL 109
GRE 167Q 154V 3.0A

Programs I have applied or planning to apply:
Stanford
Princeton
Columbia
University of Toronto
MIT Sloan
NYU
Cornell
ETH Zurich

I am interested, whether it is a realistic idea to apply...

I finalized my applications and applied to the following MFE programs:
Stanford Finmath
Princeton MIF
Columbia MAFN
U of Toronto MMF
NYU Mathfin
MIT Sloan MIF
LSE Finmath
ETH Zurich
EPFL MFE (this university is not in the tracker)

Also, I applied to several PhD programs:
Cornell Financial Engineering
Boston University FinMath
INSEAD Finance
Bocconi Statistics and Applied Mathematics

Now it is time to wait for the results

 

[gauravpuri]

Hi Guys,
I am in a dilemma and request u for help.
My brief profile is as follow:
Graduation - BITS Pilani , INDIA ( Top 6 Universities.)
GRE 1350 ( Q-800 and V 550)
CGPA - 8.69/10
Relevant Coursework - Security Analysis and Portfolio Management,Numerical Analysis, Mathematics I,II,III , Operation Research , Optimization, Circuits and Signals, Wireless Communication.

Internship Projects (2month)- Genetic Algorithm to Optimize the performance of an Electronic Nose ( Hardware to measure the aroma in tea leaves)

Other Projects- Application of Genetic Algorithm for Portfolio Optimization
Mathematical Modeling of Wireless network on MATLAB

Relevant Skills- C, MATLAB, Excel.

Work Experience - Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu- Consultant - (1 year) - SAS70 Audits ( Compliance , IT Auditing)

I am bit apprehensive of applying to US as i fear whether i will be getting a job after graduation. I have shortlisted few universities.
Columbia (MSOR)
Rutger (MQF)
CMU
NYU
Baruch
NUS
NTU
Please let me know about my profile and it would be great if i get a clear picture of placements after MSFE

I also want to know about the PhD programs. Is my resume good enough to apply for PhD in Finance / OR ?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

EPFL MFE (this university is not in the tracker)

This program has been added to the Tracker.

 

[holbond]

Hi,

Please review my profile for MFE .

I am an undergraduate in Chemical Engineering from IIT Kanpur (one of the best institutes in India) with a CGPA of 8.1/10. I had quite poor grades in Mathematics in college (its a ridiculously tough place for academics and most universities understand this) and I gave GRE Subject test in mathematics where I scored 880 (97% ile). My GMAT is 790 (QA- 51, VA - 47, awa - 6/6).

Work experience: 6 months as a derivatives trader
12 months as a quantitative analyst supporting the commodity team of Schroders.
Past 1.5 years working as a credit quant for a leading investment bank .
In between had a role of a quantitative analyst for an NGO (helped them in developing a predictor model to study future poverty profiles in the region)

I believe my work experience is good enough to land an MFE in a top school and I am sure of getting good recommendations. The problem are mathematics grades and GPA. Considering that my college comes in top 10 in Asia easily and its academics is considered tough globally will the colleges consider my average grades?

Please reply,

Thanks.

gmat 790?? that's awesome...

 

[MathFinCS]

There are atleast 50 engineering colleges and Universities which are ranked in Top 10 in India. So graduating from a college ranked 13 isn't much of an advantage. GRE quant satisfies the minimum score requirement.


It's a crime( something like day light murder) to get less than 95% on NCFM modules and state them as a part of your financial expertise.And Since when has applying for CFA exam become a part of one's financial knowledge.



I "were" is used in hypothetical instances ( for example: If I were you , I wouldn't post the same message three times on a single page).... Please prepare nicely for TOEFL...... You haven't mentioned a scale on which to rate your chances... I have a software to calculate chances on 1-10 scale... will that work for you..

 

[andreamazzanti]

Hi, this is my first post on this website. Please could someone give me feedbacks about my profile?

I've got a Bachelor and a Master degree in Mathematics with the top grade in an Italian university (110/110 with laude)
I won one of the 40 Bachelor national scholarships, and I was placed 10th for the 6 Master national scholarships, both provided by INDAM (national high mathematics institute).
I've got no working experience.
GRE score: 165 Q, 151 V, 3.5 A
Toefl score: taken 2 days ago, I hope 100+.

I would like to apply to:
Carnegie Mellon University
Baruch College
Columbia University
Boston University
Imperial College (London)

Do I have any chance?
Thanks

 

[AMIRHAMED]

Hi, this is my first post on this website. Please could someone give me feedbacks about my profile?

I've got a Bachelor and a Master degree in Mathematics with the top grade in an Italian university (110/110 with laude)
I won one of the 40 Bachelor national scholarships, and I was placed 10th for the 6 Master national scholarships, both provided by INDAM (national high mathematics institute).
I've got no working experience.
GRE score: 165 Q, 151 V, 3.5 A
Toefl score: taken 2 days ago, I hope 100+.

I would like to apply to:
Carnegie Mellon University
Baruch College
Columbia University
Boston University
Imperial College (London)

Do I have any chance?
Thanks

Honestly I don't think that you have a chance for CMU, BC and CU. But for Boston and Imperial College Yes you have.
Your GRE score is not competitive enough for top programs (Q>166, V>~160, AW>4.0), and unfortunately you have no WE. Also 100+ for TOEFL is an average score, Try to get a 110+.

To get a practical point of view, query the Tracker.

 

[Jeeves]

Hey i am an applicant from india. I will be applying after an year.i have got nice scores in gre. how to improve my profile for top mfe schools. like doing a cfa,frm etc.

 

[Patty]

Hi,
I'm considering applying to an MFE program. I was wondering if I can get some feedback on my profile:
I have a PHD in math from the University of Miami (graduated in 2010), with a dissertation in mathematical biology and one published article. I have considerable experience in mathematical modeling and have coded in MATLAB and Maple. I took a course in mathematical finance awhile back so I am familiar the basics needed in stochastic calculus, but I need a refresher. My Excel is a bit rusty. I'm also considering an online C++ course before applying.
Work experience includes 1 year as a visiting assistant professor in a regional public university, part-time community college teaching, and 5+ years as a teaching assistant in a math department. I have decided not to continue in academia.
My background is a bit unusual in that I entered the PHD program with very little background in math. I took a math class my senior year of college at the University of Miami, loved it, and subsequently completed all the requirements for a math major in one year with a 3.9+ GPA in math courses. I was then accepted to the graduate program, which was initially a struggle for personal rather than academic reasons, but I hung on and got the PHD with a 3.65 GPA. Naturally I now have more than the math necessary background. I
I was wondering, what are my chances for admission to a top MFE program?
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Patty

 

[Andy Nguyen]

With a PhD, you can ask for GRE waiver. Programming skill would benefit from some upgrading to C++. Learn SQL as it will become useful when you deal with large data set later.
Now, you need to have a convincing story of why you want to enter finance after leaving academia. You want to come off as mature and career savvy as you will mostly compete with fresh graduates from oversea.
What do you know about this field and what would you offer the program and future employers over other younger applicants.