Profile Evaluation

[Theactuary]

My dream MFE program is UCB, but I think that is unlikely given my stats. Should I even bother applying there and what others should I target?

Degree: BS in Economics 2.6 GPA (3.4 major)
GRE: 168/160
Work experience: 1.5 years in actuarial consulting
Programming: I use vba at work and had As in 3 C++ classes.

I have credit for 4 actuarial exams, one of which was almost exclusively on derivatives pricing. The others tested multivariable calc, partial differential equations, and time series, all of which look like pre-requisites to most MFE programs. My transcript will show pretty awful grades in calc 1/2, but I'm hoping the GRE and actuarial exams will show that was an aberration.

 

[Theactuary]

Any thoughts?

 

[GoalSeeker]

no harm trying. But why are you leaving actuarial sciences?

 

[Ramy_Gaballa]

I have credit for 4 actuarial exams, one of which was almost exclusively on derivatives pricing. The others tested multivariable calc, partial differential equations, and time series, all of which look like pre-requisites to most MFE programs. .

As an SOA candidate pursuing the actuarial exams, I didn't hear about an exam that covers PDEs. If you mean the models for financial economics (MFE) exam, it does not cover PDEs at all. You use the Black Scholes PDE's solution in pricing/hedging and the exam does not require solving the PDE from scratch.

 

[Theactuary]

no harm trying. But why are you leaving actuarial sciences?

I want to be a trader.

As an SOA candidate pursuing the actuarial exams, I didn't hear about an exam that covers PDEs. If you mean the models for financial economics (MFE) exam, it does not cover PDEs at all. You use the Black Scholes PDE's solution in pricing/hedging and the exam does not require solving the PDE from scratch.

You're right. There were some PDE derivations, but after looking at syllabi for college course, I would take one before entering an MFE program.