COMPARE Premaster/conversion year recommendations?

[Dominik N]

Hello everyone,

Currently I am an Economics student at Erasmus University Rotterdam, and I want to become a quantitative analyst in the future. Firstly, I would like to give some background info about my education:

So far I had the following relevant courses in my studies (in ECTS):

Multivariable Calculus - 4
Applied statistics - 8
Econometrics - 8
Introduction to Linear Algebra & Game theory - 4
Finance - 8

My 2-year cumulative GPA so far is 7.42/10, which is approx. 3.3-3.4/4 in US terms.

In my third year I will take the following relevant courses:

Introduction to Analysis - 6
Linear algebra - 6
Analysis - 6
Vector Calculus - 4
Financial derivatives - 4
Financial econometrics - 4
Alternative investments in finance - 15 (minor)
Seminar in Stock pricing - 12
Introduction to Python Course

Next to these I will have to take a transition year from economics to econometrics/statistics in order to apply for a rigorous MSc in Quant Finance/Statistics or something similar.

I have a few options below for this:

1, My university has a transition year specifically for this reason, you can find the syllabus here:

Studieschema

I'll take the specialisation in QF.

So:
Java programming - 4
Probability theory - 4
Statistics - 4
Intro to multivariate statistics - 4
Finance (econometrics) - 4
Simulation - 4
Econometrics 1 - 4
Econometrics 2 - 4
Nonlinear optimization - 4
Markov processes - 4
Linear programming - 4
Seminar in econometrics & OR - 4
Time series analysis - 4

optional Java programming - 4
52-56 ECTS

2, MIT Micromasters (mostly during the summer)

Mathematical Methods for Quantitative Finance

Learn the mathematical foundations essential for financial engineering and quantitative finance: linear algebra, optimization, probability, stochastic processes, statistics, and applied computational techniques in R.

www.edx.org

3, Baruch pre-MFE program

The Pre-MFE Program at Baruch College

Baruch Pre-MFE Information Session will take place on Wednesday, January 20, 7pm Registration here. Enrollment is now open for the 2020-2021 Pre-MFE Online seminars and will continue until all seats are filled. The Financial Engineering Program at Baruch College offers a Pre-MFE Program...

mfe.baruch.cuny.edu

4, Berkeley Haas pre-MFE program

MFE Preparation | Master of Financial Engineering | Berkeley Haas

Considering applying to the Berkeley MFE Program? From math to statistics and C++, these pre program MFE courses review the concepts needed for success.

mfe.haas.berkeley.edu

5, UCLA's recommended courses for Financial Engineering

https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/sites/default/files/document/2023-06/Preparing_for_MFE_v.2023.pdf

6, University of Chicago's preparation course, specifically for economics students

Prep Course | Financial Mathematics | The University of Chicago

The University of Chicago’s Financial Mathematics Program offers courses in option pricing, portfolio management, machine learning, and python to prepare students for careers in quantitative finance.

finmath.uchicago.edu

7, CQF

8, Your recommendations for a pre-master

My main question is the following: based on your expertise in QF and/or your experience with any of the abovementioned programs, which option(s) would you recommend and why?

Thank you for your answers beforehand!

 

[Dominik N]

Hello everyone,

Currently I am an Economics student at Erasmus University Rotterdam, and I want to become a quantitative analyst in the future. Firstly, I would like to give some background info about my education:

So far I had the following relevant courses in my studies (in ECTS):

Introduction to Multivariable Calculus - 4
Applied statistics - 8
Econometrics - 8
Introduction to Linear Algebra & Game theory - 4
Finance - 8
Linear algebra (proof based) - 6
Financial derivatives - 4
Financial econometrics - 4
Alternative investments in finance - 15 (minor)

And I am taking/will take the following courses this academic year:
Introduction to Analysis - 6
Vector Calculus - 4
Seminar in Stock pricing - 12
Introduction to Python Course

Next academic year:
Analysis - 6

Next to these I will have to take a transition year from economics to econometrics/statistics in order to apply for a rigorous MSc in Quant Finance/Statistics or something similar.

I have a few options below for this:

1, My university has a transition year specifically for this reason, you can find the syllabus here:
Studieschema
I'll take the specialisation in QF.

So:
Java programming - 4
Probability theory - 4
Statistics - 4
Intro to multivariate statistics - 4
Finance (econometrics) - 4
Simulation - 4
Econometrics 1 - 4
Econometrics 2 - 4
Nonlinear optimization - 4
Markov processes - 4
Linear programming - 4
Seminar in econometrics & OR - 4
Time series analysis - 4

optional Java programming - 4
52-56 ECTS

2, MIT Micromasters (mostly during the summer)
3, Baruch pre-MFE program
4, Berkeley Haas pre-MFE program
5, UCLA's recommended courses for Financial Engineering
6, University of Chicago's preparation course, specifically for economics students
7, CQF

8, Your recommendations for a pre-master

My main question is the following: based on your expertise in QF and/or your experience with any of the abovementioned programs, which option(s) would you recommend and why?

Thank you for your answers beforehand!

 

[Andy Nguyen]

How are you doing with this plan @Dominik N ?

 

[Dominik N]

Hi Andy,

Thank you for your reply. Since my last message, I have successfully completed the following courses:

Analysis - 6
Introduction to Analysis - 6
Vector Calculus - 4
Seminar in Stock pricing - 12
Introduction to Python course

I also wrote my thesis on an asset pricing topic, and obtained an A for it. Currently I am taking Java programming and I'll take linear programming soon as well. I decided to take the pre-msc at our university next year (I didn't do it this year, because Analysis is a mandatory pre-requisite subject to the pre-msc), since it covers the most relevant QF topics, and it is also highly rigorous, because the courses are offered by the econometrics department. Lastly, I increased my GPA to around 7.6/10 as well. So in summary, the plan is going well.