Profile Evaluation for MFE and Shortlisting, Asset Management Quant

[Vivek Ahluwalia]

Hello All,

I am Quantitative Researcher at a top global fin firm and applying for financial engineering programs for Fall 2014. Following is the brief summary of my profile: -

1. Masters Degree in Engineering Management from Duke University, with Focus in Finance (3.75/4) with A grade in all quant and fin courses
2. BTech from IIT Madras, Chennai (GPA 7.7/10 with Average Grades in Math Courses)
3. 5+ Years of Work Experience in Quantitative Equity Portfolio Management and Quantitative Equity Research with One of the top most financial services firm in world, hands on experience in Quant equity strategy, Portfolio Allocation for Top Most Asset Management Firms in the World
4. FRM holder and CFA Level 3 Candidate
5. GRE (Quant - 167, Verbal - 160, AWA - 3.5) ( I hope AWA wouldnt cause any problems )
6. Can crack Essays and will get strong recommendations.

I am looking for a program with good courses and Faculty on Asset Management Quant and offcourse strong placements and alumni network.

I have shortlisted following programs : -

1.) UC Berkley MFE
2.) CMU MSCF
3.) Columbia MFE
4.) Princeton

Kindly evaluate my profile with regard to chances of admission at above mentioned programs and suggest other suitable programs. Given my work experience I am only looking to apply at top programs with good faculty and placements.

Thanks

 

[mhy]

Why are you applying to MFE programs if you're already a quant researcher?

 

[Vivek Ahluwalia]

I am looking to enhance my understanding of derivatives quant, asset classses other than equities and learn more abt asset management quant. Also, looking to expand alumni network and get into buy side research.

Kindly advice me with regard to my profile and shortlisting of programs. It will be of great help.

Thanks,
Vivek.

 

[Canuck]

1.) UC Berkley MFE
2.) CMU MSCF
3.) Columbia MFE
4.) Princeton

is a good list, consider adding MIT MFIN as well.
With your profile, barring any interview catastrophes, you have a good chance of getting in.

 

[yatici]

If you are already a researcher with such background, there really is no point applying to the programs as you will pay tuition and not get paid while going back to school. If your sole purpose is to just learn more or have a better understanding then buy books and read them? There are lots of great literature out there to learn from.

You have a master's degree, you should know at grad school the school doesn't really teach you much just tells you what you need to learn and you go research,read and study yourself (12 hours a day haha).

If you plan on leaving your position, can I have it? I have a MS in FE

 

[yatici]

consider adding MIT MFIN as well.

aa I can crank up a few reasons why you shouldn't in private...

 

[C S]

You have a master's degree, you should know at grad school the school doesn't really teach you much just tells you what you need to learn and you go research,read and study yourself (12 hours a day haha).

One reason oft-cited for why PhDs are preferred for high-level quant roles is not specialized knowledge, but the ability to be able to pick things up on your own. I think many masters students just don't gain the ability to "research, read, and study" by themselves at a high enough level.

 

[rothmann]

One reason oft-cited for why PhDs are preferred for high-level quant roles is not specialized knowledge, but the ability to be able to pick things up on your own. I think many masters students just don't gain the ability to "research, read, and study" by themselves at a high enough level.

Unfortunately, these days quite a few people with PhDs can't do that either. I prefer to rely on my impressions during the interview rather than academic titles.

 

[PTN]

1. Masters Degree in Engineering Management from Duke University, with Focus in Finance (3.75/4) with A grade in all quant and fin courses
2. BTech from IIT Madras, Chennai (GPA 7.7/10 with Average Grades in Math Courses)
3. 5+ Years of Work Experience in Quantitative Equity Portfolio Management and Quantitative Equity Research with One of the top most financial services firm in world, hands on experience in Quant equity strategy, Portfolio Allocation for Top Most Asset Management Firms in the World
replied 1:You do not have relevant applied maths and statistics qualification but you stated working in quantitative research area. I suppose you are working in underwriting field which does not involved in quant role. There are many graduate engineering working in the same position as you.

4. FRM holder and CFA Level 3 Candidate
5. GRE (Quant - 167, Verbal - 160, AWA - 3.5) ( I hope AWA wouldnt cause any problems )
replied 2: FRM is only related to risk mgmt. FE is by far a wider scope. CFA is irrelevant to FE. You need GRE subject test in mathematics NOT GRE general test.