COMPARE Chicago MSFM vs Columbia MAFN

[JonesUCF]

No real drawbacks, I love the program. Just in my job search and experience there seems to be more opportunities for quant trading in Chicago vs NYC. I can confirm all of what quiangouzi has said, though.

Edit: I will add that I don't think it's a huge difference. Attend whichever program/city you like better and you'll have plenty of opportunities.

 

[JLevin]

if you want more opportunities with investment bank trading (not really quant trading as far as i know), then go to columbia. if you want to work in prop firms (IMC, Optiver, CTC, Akuna, DRW, etc.) as a quant trader, go to chicago.

 

[Janday]

So, what is your final decision?


(I got admittid from UChicago MSFM too. Is there a whatsapp or wechat group for this program? )


Thanks:->

 

[candycrush]

Hi! I am also choosing between these two programs. I would like to know about the career services provided (networking events, job search guidance, workshops etc.) by these two programs. Any current student could help? Many thanks!

 

[JLevin]

You're best off contacting the program staff to help with your decision. Also regarding my previous comment, 10 or so of the current MSFM students are going to investment banks for trading or strats... so it looks like that opportunity is there

 

[JingZ]

So if I want to work in the risk analysis area, which city should I go? Chicago or New York? I heard somewhere that Chicago is great for risk management, is that right?

 

[JLevin]

"Chicago is great for risk management" is sort of a nonsense statement. Chicago is a financial hub, so there will be risk management jobs - risk management jobs are everywhere.

There is one slight reason why I think NYC might be better for risk; that's where most company headquarters are. The more interesting risk work for risk seems to be at the headquarters in my opinion. Having said that, a lot of HQs for trading companies are in Chicago...

 

[The Truth]

Chicago MSFM has much more than 10 current students going to investment banks.

Closer to 20 current Chicago MSFM students are going to
Goldman Sachs / JPMorgan / Barclays / BofA this summer.
(Goldman in NY will have 6 summer interns from Chicago MSFM,
Goldman in HK will have 3 summer interns from Chicago MSFM, ...)

 

[Rena Chen]

I recently received offers from these two programs. And It's quite difficult to make a decision.

The location of NYC is applealing, but there are many competitors from Columbia MFE, IEOR and other top programs.

Both of these two programs have bad career service, but I'm shocked by the 37% employment rate at graduation for Columbia MAFN(source from quantnet 2019 rankings)

I have read many previous posts and discussions, but I would like to hear new comments. Which program is more advantageous for international students to find a job in U.S.?

Any information or opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.

 

[Risky Business]

I recently received offers from these two programs. And It's quite difficult to make a decision.

The location of NYC is applealing, but there are many competitors from Columbia MFE, IEOR and other top programs.

Both of these two programs have bad career service, but I'm shocked by the 37% employment rate at graduation for Columbia MAFN(source from quantnet 2019 rankings)

I have read many previous posts and discussions, but I would like to hear new comments. Which program is more advantageous for international students to find a job in U.S.?

Any information or opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.

MSFM is a program that is moving in the right direction.
MAFN seems to only live off from Columbia's MFE reputation.

 

[nqh]

MSFM is a program that is moving in the right direction.
MAFN seems to only live off from Columbia's MFE reputation.

Hello, I would like to know why do you say MSFM is moving to the right direction? and also, if possible, if you could tell us about your experience it would be awsome

 

[hoyuan]

I recently received offers from these two programs. And It's quite difficult to make a decision.

The location of NYC is applealing, but there are many competitors from Columbia MFE, IEOR and other top programs.

Both of these two programs have bad career service, but I'm shocked by the 37% employment rate at graduation for Columbia MAFN(source from quantnet 2019 rankings)

I have read many previous posts and discussions, but I would like to hear new comments. Which program is more advantageous for international students to find a job in U.S.?

Any information or opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.

Congrats, I am wondering if you can share your timeline of the application process. When did you submit the app and receive the offer? Did you have any additional interviews?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Congrats, I am wondering if you can share your timeline of the application process. When did you submit the app and receive the offer? Did you have any additional interviews?

Yes, would be really useful if you can share it on the Tracker. Thanks.

 

[billyvan]

mafn has the brand, and then, what else? Does one really think uchicago as a whole brand is much inferior to columbia? Come on mate, we ain't talking about columbia's mfe. Yet still, they are actually 2 programs with no much difference. Finding a job would be a task mainly depending on yourself.

 

[Rena Chen]

Yes, would be really useful if you can share it on the Tracker. Thanks.

I shared my timeline on the tracker 20 days ago. ^_^

 

[Rena Chen]

mafn has the brand, and then, what else? Does one really think uchicago as a whole brand is much inferior to columbia? Come on mate, we ain't talking about columbia's mfe. Yet still, they are actually 2 programs with no much difference. Finding a job would be a task mainly depending on yourself.

thank you for your advice.

 

[Simon.ZY]

UChicago FinMath career office has been doing better than before. There are a number of new grads going into top prop shop like Cidatel and IMC right after graduation. I would say UChiago has a great network with local Chicago firms which range from the big exchanges to the top hedge fund / prop shop.

 

[billyvan]

UChicago FinMath career office has been doing better than before. There are a number of new grads going into top prop shop like Cidatel and IMC right after graduation. I would say UChiago has a great network with local Chicago firms which range from the big exchanges to the top hedge fund / prop shop.

Really? New grads getting into citadel sounds gorgeous

 

[nqh]

Really? New grads getting into citadel sounds gorgeous

Somebody posted in my thread that Citadel is in Chicago. I believe is possible.

 

[Youlan Dai]

citadel and bridgewater, which is better.