COMPARE Several MS (BU, Rutgers,...)

[Galzra]

Hi everyone,

I've been admitted to many different FE/FM/MF programs and so I would need some help in order to make the right choice. I'm a student from France and so my knowledge about Grads Schools in the US is pretty weak.

Here are the masters I am considering:

-Rutgers
-Boston U
-Claremont
-Minnesota
-Florida State

I'm a maths major, fond of probability but not too much into pure programming (that's why I haven't applied to NYU for instance).
To me, Rutgers and BU seem better than the other (tell me if I'm wrong).

I would also appreciate if someone could tell me how "busy" students are in such programs compare to a junior/senior undergrad maths major (4 maths classes/sem).

Thank you!

 

[isaac ahouma]

quelle ecole en France?

 

[Dataminer]

I'm a maths major, fond of probability but not too much into pure programming (that's why I haven't applied to NYU for instance).

I thought NYU's program's mainly about math and not much about programming..? Guess I was wrong. Also I'm sure most will agree that Rutgers and BU is better than the rest. IDK about how busy the students are tho.

Rutgers does have syllabus of courses online which outlines their tentative schedule for the semester, so you can look at that and see how much studying you'll need.

http://www.finmath.rutgers.edu/index.php?d=academics&p=degreeprogram

 

[Galzra]

Isaac > je ne suis pas dans une école mais à Paris VII Diderot.

Dataminer > thanks for your answer. I've already looked up at the syllabus but it does not say how busy people are. I studied one year in the US and although it seemed crazy for others I took 4 maths classes per semester it was pretty easy for me; that's why I'm wondering how "challenging" is such a program.


Does anyone could tell me more about Rutgers or BU?
Claremont does not even need to be compared because it's that inferior? Their program looks interesting to me and it's possible to "double-graduate" in FE and Maths by taking a few more classes but I don't know what are the opportunities graduating from this school.

 

[melodie]

got my admission to Rutgers MSMF as well, haven't decided yet but will probably go due to its location and the rigorous curriculum(said my prof&advisor).

 

[Dataminer]

You can do double masters at Rutgers as well.

 

[isaac ahouma]

Tu devrais considerer quelques programmes en Europe aussi a mon avis. (LSE Mathematical Finance, HEC finance, ou meme Paris Dauphine pour un Masters)

Concernant les programmes dont tu parles, je n'y etudie pas mais j'entends dire que leurs placements ne sont pas excellent et tu pourrais avoir des difficultes pour trouver du travail aux Etats-Unis apres. Tu pourrais aussi tenter tes chances a MIT et Princeton ou tu pourrais apprendre la finance appliquee aux maths/statistiques mais avec moins d'accent sur la programmation. Tout le monde sur Quantnet deconseille aux etudiants d'aller dans les programmes moins bien classes parce que souvent ils n'offrent pas de bonnes opportunites apres l'obtention du diplome.

Dans le cas ou tu voudrais absolument aller dans les programmes que tu as cite, Je pense que tu t'en sortirais au niveau math mais qu'importe le programme tu seras tres occupe.

Je suis a peu pres dans les meme conditions que toi, a part que je fais mon universite a Toronto. Mais je compte juste appliquer en Europe et a MIT/Princeton.

 

[C S]

Isaac > I've already looked up at the syllabus but it does not say how busy people are. I studied one year in the US and although it seemed crazy for others I took 4 maths classes per semester it was pretty easy for me; that's why I'm wondering how "challenging" is such a program.
.

French universities must be fairly uniform in difficulty from your attitude. In the US, universities greatly differ in difficulty. For example I know someone that had a 4.0 for two years, then transferred to a much harder school,dropped courses that were too hard but still barely managed a 2.5 gpa. More relevantly, stellar students from mediocre American universities may find Rutgers MSMF rather difficult, but that's not to say Rutgers is that difficult for someone with a decent math background. A reasonable litmus test is this: if you went to a strong university and took real analysis with lebesgue integration and didn't find it ridiculously difficult, you'll be fine.

 

[Galzra]

Tu devrais considerer quelques programmes en Europe aussi a mon avis. (LSE Mathematical Finance, HEC finance, ou meme Paris Dauphine pour un Masters)
[...] Tu pourrais aussi tenter tes chances a MIT et Princeton ou tu pourrais apprendre la finance appliquee aux maths/statistiques mais avec moins d'accent sur la programmation. Tout le monde sur Quantnet deconseille aux etudiants d'aller dans les programmes moins bien classes parce que souvent ils n'offrent pas de bonnes opportunites apres l'obtention du diplome.

Je tiens vraiment à retourner aux Etats-Unis. Si je souhaitais rester en France, nul doute que j'aurais tenté le Master Laure Elie de Paris VII (qui est bien au dessus de HEC, Dauphine,...). Tu considères donc que Rutgers n'est pas bon? Il est pourtant classé ~top10. Pour ce qui est de postuler aux MIT ou Princeton, je ne l'ai pas fait car leur programme de me plait pas (trop finance), en revanche, un master à Columbia m'interesse mais la deadline pour postuler est après le 15 avril...Cela voudrait dire que je mise tout sur Columbia en recalant ceux qui m'ont accepté? Risqué non?

CS > Thanks for your comment!

If you guys have any info I take it! Also, I was wondering if saying "yes" to a program and not attending it is possible? I must answer to the universities I admitted in by April 15th but MAFM Columbia's application deadline is in May...

 

[diegosanaz]

Yes, it is possible, you would just loose your deposit.

All I can say is yes, I am a busy student. Projects, midterms, homeworks and looking for internships will keep you busy. Although some people still manage to study for the CFA.

Also, please post in english. My guess, since you are applying to this programs, is that you are all good english speakers. It also makes it more likely for people to take interest in the post if they can understand the discussion.