Need Some Advice!!!

TongLiu · 3/23/23

Dear all,
I am currently work as an Actuarial Consultant in kpmg for 3 years,and Now want to transform to be a quant.
So, I am going to apply for some MFE programs , but I am very confused about which Top 10 QuantNet programs may be possible to me as background like this:
Undergraduate: U.S. News in US about 120th，GPA=3.4, Math and Statistics（Double Major）
Graduate: U.S. News in US about 40th，GPA=3.4 ，Actuarial Science
Programming：Python and C++( Have ever learned， but need to refresh）
Several project experience like option pricing,etc.

Going to take：
1：C++ Programming for Financial Engineering (online)
2：Refresh my past courses or take some pre-program courses of Baruch (if possible)
3: Elevate my GRE above 325( if get time )

Very appreciate some advice about possibilities or some pathways of applying Top 10 QuantNet MFE programs.

Andy Nguyen · 3/28/23

Hey @Xu Ryan
When do you plan to apply to MFE programs? The answer will determine how long you have to strengthen your profile.
We have so many resources here to help applicants like you get into the best MFE programs with their profiles. There are many guides and articles here that are always useful to go through.
We will be doing a better job to bring the resources forward and put it in one place with tools for you to select the right program.

In the meantime, you have a good plan to address your programming aspect. Taking the QuantNet C++ course is a first great step.
Baruch has some pre-MFE courses that are a great refresher for those graduated years ago.
Some programs do not require GRE anymore so I'm unsure how much effort you should put into it.

If you are currently working, how about doing the MFE part-time and have the company pays for it?

TongLiu · 3/28/23

Andy Nguyen said:
Hey @Xu Ryan
When do you plan to apply to MFE programs? The answer will determine how long you have to strengthen your profile.
We have so many resources here to help applicants like you get into the best MFE programs with their profiles. There are many guides and articles here that are always useful to go through.
We will be doing a better job to bring the resources forward and put it in one place with tools for you to select the right program.

In the meantime, you have a good plan to address your programming aspect. Taking the QuantNet C++ course is a first great step.
Baruch has some pre-MFE courses that are a great refresher for those graduated years ago.
Some programs do not require GRE anymore so I'm unsure how much effort you should put into it.

If you are currently working, how about doing the MFE part-time and have the company pays for it?

Hi Andy，
I am going to apply for Spring/Fall 2024, and my current company will not sponsor this study . Feel free to share with me about the guides and articles that may be helpful, thx!

Andy Nguyen · 3/28/23

This is from the Admission Director of CMU MSCF program, Gwen Stanczak

Graduate Schools Looking for Thoughtful, Well-Rounded Students

The decision to pursue a degree in financial engineering is an important step in advancing your career. Congratulations! Whether you are seeking to switch careers or advance within the financial services industry, the skills you will acquire are vital to mastering the strategic and analytical...

quantnet.com

This is from Akram Khan, UCLA MFE student

Tips for applying to MFE programs

Start early. Submitting a grad school application takes time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will it take a day to complete your application. Plan accordingly. Know your 'why'. Why you want to get an MFE degree – Going to grad school is a big decision. It’s expensive and if you’re...

quantnet.com

Do’s and Don’ts of MFE Applications

When applying to a master’s program, it is not possible to specify the exact requirements necessary to be accepted, because there is flexibility in the process. An application that is weaker in one area might be accepted because of strengths in other areas. For the most part, the standard of...

quantnet.com

TongLiu · 3/28/23

Xu Ryan said:
Hi Andy，
I am going to apply for Spring/Fall 2024, and my current company will not sponsor this study . Feel free to share with me about the guides and articles that may be helpful, thx!

Andy Nguyen said:
This is from the Admission Director of CMU MSCF program, Gwen Stanczak

Graduate Schools Looking for Thoughtful, Well-Rounded Students

The decision to pursue a degree in financial engineering is an important step in advancing your career. Congratulations! Whether you are seeking to switch careers or advance within the financial services industry, the skills you will acquire are vital to mastering the strategic and analytical...

quantnet.com

This is from Akram Khan, UCLA MFE student

Tips for applying to MFE programs

Start early. Submitting a grad school application takes time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will it take a day to complete your application. Plan accordingly. Know your 'why'. Why you want to get an MFE degree – Going to grad school is a big decision. It’s expensive and if you’re...

quantnet.com

Do’s and Don’ts of MFE Applications

When applying to a master’s program, it is not possible to specify the exact requirements necessary to be accepted, because there is flexibility in the process. An application that is weaker in one area might be accepted because of strengths in other areas. For the most part, the standard of...

quantnet.com

Well Received, Thx!