Should I enroll in UCB MFE now or wait for other admissions?

[EquityQuant]

Hi all, I’m currently working as a buy-side quant in an Asian market and doing well, but I’m considering an MFE for career advancement. I’ve just received an offer from UCB MFE and need to decide within 2-3 days. I’ve heard some concerns about the current job market for MFE grads and, ultimately, I’d like to return to a buy-side quant role after the program. Should I accept UCB MFE now, or wait for potential offers from places like Princeton or Baruch? Any honest insights or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[kombuchalover]

Hi all, I’m currently working as a buy-side quant in an Asian market and doing well, but I’m considering an MFE for career advancement. I’ve just received an offer from UCB MFE and need to decide within 2-3 days. I’ve heard some concerns about the current job market for MFE grads and, ultimately, I’d like to return to a buy-side quant role after the program. Should I accept UCB MFE now, or wait for potential offers from places like Princeton or Baruch? Any honest insights or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

If the UCB offer is for Spring admission I’d enroll at UCB since you already have quant experience and you’re the target candidate for their program and you’ll be in the US before Trump gets in office (I think that’s a big deal personally) and probably have a better shot at a job in USA. If it’s fall admission, that would be a tougher call and I could see the pros and cons either way.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

UCB MFE only has Spring admission which means @EquityQuant needs to act soon.
I don't know if he will get decisions from other programs before deadline.
Worst case, he can put down a deposit for UCB and wait for results from Princeton, Baruch.

 

[EquityQuant]

Hi @Andy Nguyen, you are right. I received an offer last night and I am supposed to act by 25th Dec (Phew!) UCB orientation week coincides with when I expect to hear from Princeton, so if I commit to UCB, I’ll need to handle the visa process and other logistics in the coming weeks—quite a big investment of time and resources. If Princeton admits me, I wouldn’t hesitate to leave my current job and restart. But with other programs, I feel anxious about whether I’m truly making the most optimal choice.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Reach out to students in those programs on LinkedIn and ask for their frank suggest. They may give you insights to make an informed decision.
They are in a better position than many of us.
Princeton will give decision in mid March and if you reach out, they may give you an earlier decision.
Baruch has a very short turn around time (average 39 days) so you should hear back before March.
In any case, I would be curious to learn about your timelines and results from all programs so please do me a favor and share yours on the Tracker.

 

[EquityQuant]

Thanks a lot for your help! I will add all my applications to the tracker.