Pre MFE Planning

[Homer]

Hello I am currently a junior in a chemical engineering program and I am planning on doing a masters in financial engineering. I have a few questions about things I can do now to prepare me for the program which leads to my first question:
1. Should I be studying for the GRE regularly? I imagine I could do well on the test by studying it for a year.

2. The only business course I have had was macroeconomics. I have also taken math through differential equations and linear algebra; I plan on getting a math minor. Would taking any spare econ or finance courses help me later in graduate school?

3. In terms of self studying I am reading
a)Mathematics for Finance-An Intro to Financial Engineering by Capi´nski and Zastawniak
b)C++ A Beginners Guide Second Edition by Schildt (I took a c++ at a community college in high school)
c)Principles of Financial Engineering, Second Edition by Neftci

Will these give me a basis of understanding quantitative finance and finance in general?

4. What are extracurricular options that explore quantitative finance for someone in an engineering degree?

 

[mhy]

You don't need a year to study for the GRE.

 

[Toup]

Speaking of planning I have another question concerning the GRE.

If you're thinking about applying for the fall of 2014 when can you take the GRE at the latest?

 

[diegosanaz]

when can you take the GRE at the latest?

Some programs have their deadline on December and it takes about two or three weeks for you to get your official GRE results. So the latest should be some point in November.

 

[Toup]

Alright, thank you very much, means I have a lot of time to prepare

 

[diegosanaz]

Alright, thank you very much, means I have a lot of time to prepare

Yeah, although I recommend for you to have a couple of tries at the GRE before you must absolutely submitt your application. That way you will be able to choose your best score.

 

[mhy]

I would be cautious with taking the GRE close to the deadline. Sometimes the scores take much longer to send than expected. I sent my 2011 GRE scores in January and my schools didn't receive them until March.

 

[Ken Abbott]

Stop worrying about grad school. Get a job and see if you like what people do in finance.

 

[Toup]

I have a part-time job in finance and I do like it, especially the quantitative parts. I'm planning on starting grad school in the fall of 2015 so my aspirations is to take the GRE at least 2-3 times before that.

 

[DieterD]

If you're going to aspire to something, why don't you aspire to take the GRE once and score really high?

 

[mhy]

If you're going to aspire to something, why don't you aspire to take the GRE once and score really high?

I agree. I would say try to take it only once, maybe 2 times max.