MIT MFin MIT MFin Admission Discussion

[tips]

That makes sense. Question, don't some of these programs have a preference against saying you aim to get a PhD after the program? They seem to favor the professional route for whatever reason, rather than merely the applicants favoring it.

I’ve made it pretty clear in all my apps that I’m open to getting a PhD after, if it fits my career and it hasn’t resulted in any out right rejections at the moment, I think your wording makes a huge difference

 

[Marcus Love Quant]

@Marcus_Aurelius Hi Marcus, I'm just wondering why the number of admission (200) was far greater than the class size (132) last year? Is it normal that they admit extra students each year? Thank you

Because not everyone who got an offer will accept it, roughly 50-60% of offer holders decided to enroll.

 

[helloquantworld]

Did anyone get any interview invites after the 28th of Jan? I am trying to understand if they are sent out in batches or on a rolling basis. Thanks!

 

[hihi]

Congrats folks.

For the math's assessment, don't be too worried. It's short, 4/5 questions designed to take a couple of minutes each. Expect a True/False of some sort, some probability, some introductory calculus of some sort. That's the ballpark. It's just another datapoint, I was admitted and I did not answer every question correctly. There is also a maths placement test in the first week of the program (there are two summer maths courses, normal and advanced). The choice is ultimately yours, though.

This year, a coding assessment was added. It'll be hard (if not impossible) to find information on it, as it hasn't been done before. As a result, I don't expect it'll be overly challenging for folks familiar with code. For us, and potentially for this class too, there is a coding assessment in the first semester anyway. Being programming literate is not a requirement for the program, but they like to know where people stand.

Over-admission (200 down to 130) is due to people going elsewhere. Don't think there is a single program out there with 100% matriculation. For us, there was only one batch of interviews, where people were interviewed in London/Paris/US/Asia/Skype and so on. I'd say the figure of 25%-35% of interviews leading to an offer is pretty close.

Good luck.

one batch of interviews meaning they sent out the invitation only once or more than that

 

[DC Boy]

@Marcus_Aurelius Genuinely thanks for your reply, the information is extremely helpful.

 

[tips]

I’ve made it pretty clear in all my apps that I’m open to getting a PhD after, if it fits my career and it hasn’t resulted in any out right rejections at the moment, I think your wording makes a huge difference

I actually ended up watching some of their info videos on youtube, and they were pretty clear that some of their candidates do end up pursuing PhDs so it isn't taboo to them

 

[Sim]

Did anyone from India receive an invitation?

.?

 

[Andy Zhang]

Columbia's Financial Econ, Stanfords ICME, and Princeton's MFIN all usually have a couple students pursuing PhDs post graduation (if not directly transitioning to one at the same school), just don't know anything about MIT

Just to add to that, so does both Columbia's Financial Engineering and Operations Research programs. I know (not directly though) that one guy, not in my year but an earlier year, graduated from the financial engineering program and did his PhD in Princeton's ORFE program. In my year, two women, both graduates of the operations research program, are doing their PhDs: one in MCF at Oxford and another in ORFE at Princeton.

From what I've seen, in general, I think as long as you came from a reputable MFE program (from a reputable school--generally top US school) that allows you flexibility to take more research-oriented courses, have research experience (publications are obviously the best, as they show that you can actually produce quality research), and can show you can tackle PhD level core courses (on par with those from whichever top PhD programs you'll interested in ofc) or have a strong quantitative background, then you're fine. I know Columbia Business School PhDs must take some of the same core PhD courses as Columbia IEOR PhDs, but not sure about the exact requirements.

I am curious whether MIT MFin students apply for MIT ORC's PhD program (some faculty there have joint appointments with Sloan, e.g., prof. Andrew Lo). I really like that program and their students land excellent industry/academic jobs. I know quite a few professors in Columbia IEOR who graduated from there.

 

[Muflio]

is it one batch interview? meaning if someone didn't get any till now they're probability rejected?

 

[quantnoob]

Did anyone from India receive an invitation?

Yeah. I got an invite

 

[nickiii]

Guys, is quantitative assessment proctored?

 

[Qui-Gon]

Guys, is quantitative assessment proctored?

hahahaha you've got to be kidding me

 

[hihi]

Yeah. I got an invite

on 28th? Jan

 

[maxpayne]

Guys, is quantitative assessment proctored?

Yes, it says so in the email.

 

[quantnoob]

on 28th? Jan

Yup, 29th morning IST

 

[helloquantworld]

is it one batch interview? meaning if someone didn't get any till now they're probability rejected?

Turns out, it isn't one batch. I just received mine. Check your inbox!

 

[wardedvariante]

Anyone from Europe received an invitation yet?

 

[jlbnova]

Has anyone taken the quantitative assessment yet and can offer some insights on it?

 

[jackinthebox]

I spoke with an admissions officer, and he said that the quantitative assessment doesn't actually interfere with the admission decision. Not sure what to make of that.

 

[basedpeanut]

I spoke with an admissions officer, and he said that the quantitative assessment doesn't actually interfere with the admission decision. Not sure what to make of that.

I have heard from Q&As and previous webinars that it depends on your background. Both the quantitative and the coding assessment are data points relevant to your application if you have experience in those topics. Someone with a coding background is supposed to do well in the coding assessment, otherwise, something might not seem right.