Profile Review – Fall 2026 MFE Applications

[yashsagarwal]

Hello everyone, I’m planning to apply for Fall 2026 MFE programs and would appreciate feedback on my profile.

Education:

• B.E. Chemical Engineering, Minor in Finance – BITS Pilani (GPA: 8.8/10)
• Cleared CFA Level I

Tests:

• GMAT Focus: Quant full score
• GRE (planned): Targeting Q170

Math / CS Coursework:

• Calculus & Vector Analysis – A-
• Linear Algebra & Complex Analysis – B (COVID semester)
• Probability & Statistics – B (COVID semester)
• Differential Equations & Applied Analysis – A-
• Computer Programming in C – C (but since then, extensive Python work experience)

Professional Experience- Liquidity Risk Analyst (JPMorgan – Treasury & CIO Office, Mumbai | 2.5+ yrs):

• Managed cross-currency intraday liquidity risk (USD/GBP/EUR/JPY) for $200B+ daily flows
• Built stress testing models (COVID, SVB, Credit Suisse scenarios) for liquidity buffers
• Automated regulatory/risk reporting (LCR, NSFR, ILST) using Python, SQL, VBA, Tableau
• Developed macroeconomic monitoring tools (Fed/ECB/BoE/BoJ balance sheets, debt ceiling scenarios)
• Peer benchmarking of issuance/redemption patterns (Bloomberg) for funding decisions
• Designed Tableau dashboards for intraday limits (500+ hrs saved/yr); automated Snowflake + Python pipelines (300+ hrs/yr)
• Conducted technical interviews for analyst candidates for US team

Questions for the community:

1. Given my C in C-programming, do I need to demonstrate stronger C++ expertise before applying (e.g., QuantNet C++ course, projects)?
2. With A-/B grades across math coursework, should I also show additional math expertise (e.g., Real Analysis, advanced probability) to strengthen my application?
3. Beyond coding/math, is there anything else I should improve in my profile to be competitive for top MFEs?
4. Overall, is this profile competitive for CMU MSCF, Berkeley MFE, NYU Courant, Baruch, Columbia, and Princeton (MFin)?

Thanks in advance for your time and guidance!

 

[Andy Nguyen]

1. Yes, if you get distinction in the C++ course, it will triumph any lower grade in college for similar C++ course. The course is highly rigorous, relevant and has been taken by thousands of MFE applicants.
2. Good idea, probability is always a good idea as it prepares you for interview, brain teaser, etc.
3. Do Leetcode, interview mockup, etc.
4. It's how you package and present your profile. Programs want applicants who perform well in interview and can sell themselves as marketable. It's not all about hard skills.