COMPARE Princeton MFin vs CMU MSCF

[ferdowsi]

1. do you want to a super quant education or a more general finance education peppered with quant classes (CMU for the former, Princeton for the latter) 2. how much is the cost difference? will you go into debt? unless you can save 60K+ by going to CMU I would do Princeton. Like most people said, the name is just too big to ignore. Congratulations on amazing offers and I am sure you will do fine whereever you go

Thanks. I do want a quant education, but my finance background is very weak. I have no work experience in finance (though some in energy trading). The difference is quite substantial. Ignoring opportunity cost, the difference is probably a little under 60K. I've spent a lot more time in school than working, so I'll definitely be going into debt for Princeton, and possibly for CMU too once living expenses are factored in. I don't mind going into debt. I assumed I would when I started applying to MFE programs.

 

[toucheternalck]

Actually, my Cornell WL got turned into an acceptance today. Not sure about Columbia. Stranger still is getting rejected to MIT, which seemed to happen to a few Princeton acceptances. I assume I got rejected to Chicago too since they seems to have sent out many acceptances but no rejections.

These things happen. I did my undergrad at Harvard; I knew several people, including myself, that got into Harvard and Yale but got WL to Brown.

hmmm, i believe no selection process is perfect! while there are a few deserving candidates who get rejected, there must be some undeserving candidates who are admitted..anyways congrats on your Cornell conversion!

 

[DMD]

Actually, my Cornell WL got turned into an acceptance today. Not sure about Columbia. Stranger still is getting rejected to MIT, which seemed to happen to a few Princeton acceptances. I assume I got rejected to Chicago too since they seems to have sent out many acceptances but no rejections.

These things happen. I did my undergrad at Harvard; I knew several people, including myself, that got into Harvard and Yale but got WL to Brown.

Harvard undergrad, soon to be Princeton M.Fin. You're going to be beating the women (and recruiters) off with a stick.


Princeton is the better choice, in my opinion. Reasons include: "Princeton", tight-knit program, less vertical curriculum, no MBAs to deal with, strong faculty, beautiful campus, etc...

 

[jhstal]

You mentioned that I'd appreciate any advice, especially from industry recruiting/hiring perspectives.

And you don't care be in debt.

So, I suppose that you gonna be into industry when done with your master. Investigate the curriculum and people of both programs, then find the one most suitable for you.

PS: As you did undergrad at Harvard and choose princeton probably also for its big name ... if you wanna go CMU, get a reason to convince you first.

 

[Asianbear]

Hi Fellows,

I got accepted from CMU and am waiting for the Princeton result.
I am not quite sure of my decision if I were accepted from both schools.

It seems like CMU is more computational and quantitative where Princeton is offering 'Master in Finance' which is a bit broad program.
Also, CMU is 1.5 years and Princeton is 2 years which I think both lengths are okay...

How do you guys think about the two schools?



Thanks!!

 

[alain]

friendly reminder https://www.freakonomicsexperiments.com/

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Hi Fellows,

I got accepted from CMU and am waiting for the Princeton result.
I am not quite sure of my decision if I were accepted from both schools.

Please visit the Tracker https://www.quantnet.com/tracker/
Statistically speaking from the Tracker data, applicants who got admitted to Princeton and other programs tend to choose Princeton in higher number.
While you are there, please consider adding your timelines to our Tracker to help fellow applicants.
Goodluck and hope to see positive results for your applications.

 

[Jayanthan]

friendly reminder https://www.freakonomicsexperiments.com/

Alain!!! You belong to freakonomicsexperiments.com? You've been recommending here

 

[alain]

Alain!!! You belong to freakonomicsexperiments.com? You've been recommending here

instead of saying "flip a coin", I can send you to a place where they will do it for you.

I could go on a rant about been indecisive and going into this industry or about asking strangers to make a decision for you. However, I have read that studies show that human behavior likes when somebody else makes decisions for them. This site will do it for you and use your decision to study behavior. win win situation, right?

 

[mfegrad]

instead of saying "flip a coin", I can send you to a place where they will do it for you.

I could go on a rant about been indecisive and going into this industry or about asking strangers to make a decision for you. However, I have read that studies show that human behavior likes when somebody else makes decisions for them. This site will do it for you and use your decision to study behavior. win win situation, right?

hah, was going to answer that for you...probably wouldn't have been as nice that said, i'd also add something about people being too lazy to do any research at all.

 

[Asianbear]

instead of saying "flip a coin", I can send you to a place where they will do it for you.

I could go on a rant about been indecisive and going into this industry or about asking strangers to make a decision for you. However, I have read that studies show that human behavior likes when somebody else makes decisions for them. This site will do it for you and use your decision to study behavior. win win situation, right?

I don't think I've asked for a decision... just wanted to know what people think.
And, thank you for your answer. It was really helpful, and your kind reply really improves the quality of Quantnet.

 

[wow]

Princeton is better

 

[Marj Kom]

Would love some updated input on this. Been a few years since some activity on this thread; do you all feel these previous comparisons are more or less the same as now?

My opinion: yes for the following points
- Princeton's program is more of a general finance with quantitative concentration while CMU's is purely quantitative
- Placement rates seem to be better at Princeton, but that may just be inflated due to the incoming class that they admit (usually those who have quite a bit of work experience)

I imagine the placement rates for both programs is a bit higher now than those quoted in 2011.

For an undergraduate coming straight into these programs (without work experience) and without a definitive preference as to a general finance or quant role, which program would be better?

 

[quanttrader]

Any new thoughts or opinions on this topic?

 

[bobsmith]

I'm curious how people feel these two programs compare. It seems like one should only attend CMU if they are extremely confident they want to be a quant whereas Princeton allows for that possibility but leaves open the opportunity to pursue other areas of finance. Any votes or comments are appreciated!

 

[anonym]

If I was sure I wanted to be a quant, would people recommend CMU then...?

 

[bobsmith]

Bumping to see if anyone has any thoughts to share.

 

[Michsund]

For me it would depend on a scholarship as well. If cmu gives you a decent scholarship it maybe worth it since Princeton doesn’t give scholarships. Princeton will always have great brand recognition so that’s one thing. Also small vs large class size may be a factor.

 

[dbzgoku]

If it may help, I have reached out to numerous folks(in person conversation) outside quantnet(graduates from top programs including CMU) and I got very similar answer from all of them. Princeton! Some of them although preferred Princeton told me that people going through financial hardships(can't get a loan/planning to return to home country) sometimes choose CMU and sometimes just to save some money but not because CMU has more to offer. I've also heard of cases where people rejected large scholarships(75-100%) for Princeton.
P.S. I have offers from both and I've done my own research of all programs. Best of luck and I hope you succeed and get your dream job wherever you decide to go.

 

[Michsund]

If it may help, I have reached out to numerous folks(in person conversation) outside quantnet(graduates from top programs) and I got very similar answer from all of them. Princeton! Some of them although preferred Princeton told me that people going through financial hardships(can't get a loan/planning to return to home country) sometimes choose CMU and sometimes just to save some money but not because CMU has more to offer. I've also heard of cases where people rejected large scholarships(75-100%) for Princeton.
P.S. I have offers from both and I've done my own research of all programs. Best of luck and I hope you succeed and get your dream job wherever you decide to go.

Yeah I got into cmu but if I had got into Princeton at that time I would’ve choose Princeton as well.