COMPARE University of Toronto MMF vs University of Waterloo MQF

[eclipseYan]

So you didn't get accepted at UW yet, just got an interview offer? Also, how come do you know so much about UW? Did you go there for your undergrad? In any case, any extra info you have about the program, please share. It is very useful.

I also agree that being more theoritical isn't a draw back at all!

UW has given me ad , and UT gives me the interview invitation. I know these because I am currently in UW and having a course taught by Adam ：） Also I have graduate friends in Master of Actsc who are having several courses together with MQF students. I also went to the reception and talked to the current MQF students. I personally love UWaterloo very much. Have a lot of friends here and people in this city is reeeally nice. Maybe a little boring after staying for several months but since you are doing MQF you won't have much time playing. lol This year MQF only accept 15 students compared to 25 last year. they seem to select students with different background so that they can learn from others.

Actually I think both programs are great. Program itself doesn't promise our future. it is us that makes the difference. Focus on the course materials, establishing a good network and most of all, enjoy the process, you would get what you want：）

Good luck on your MMF.

 

[J-R]

Thanks eclipseYan! This is really useful information. If only the MQF was located in Toronto, that would make my choice so easy!

Since we are at it, google map says Waterloo-Toronto is 1:30 hours by car. Does that sounds right to you? I guess I add 1 hour around rush hour?

 

[jondan]

Hey guys, it seems like we all applied to the same programs , I also have the offer from UW MQF and some US programs but not heard anything from Toronto yet. Given the current economy I don't know if it is wise to go to US and spend a fortune there, if I am not able to get a decent job offer after the program, I will be in deep **** with undergrad loan and a new huge loan for MFE, my parents have no savings so I can't get any support from them. Any of you guys have offers in US too? What is your decision?

 

[J-R]

No US for me. That will sound lazy, but I didn't want to study for the GRE. I figured that I'd rather spend this time studying quant related topics.

This decision was also related to the fact that I came to the conclusion that working in the US (at least starting position) was not worthwhile financially. When rent in Manhattan is $3000-5000 a month, the extra money you could potentially make is eaten away by the cost of living quite quickly.

 

[eclipseYan]

Thanks eclipseYan! This is really useful information. If only the MQF was located in Toronto, that would make my choice so easy!

Since we are at it, google map says Waterloo-Toronto is 1:30 hours by car. Does that sounds right to you? I guess I add 1 hour around rush hour?

googlemap did a pretty good job. you can take greyhound to toronto，roundway trip cost is CAD25，it takes approximately 2 hours. if you drive a car 1.5 should be enough.

Living in NY is unbelievably expensive... I'd rather stay in Gta lol

 

[J-R]

In case people are interested, I accepted Waterloo MQF offer in the end. I still have not heard back from Toronto MMF, but I came to the conclusion that Waterloo was better suited for me anyway.

I hope to see some of you there.

 

[sgmfof]

hey J-R, Waterloo is an excellent program and they are cheaper too, heard that their placement is always 100%! Thanks for sharing your decision, wish you all the best!

 

[mitchieyy]

Any one know about the M-Phimac(math finance) program at Mcmaster? Does it have any reputation in Canada? I have an offer from mcmaster

 

[eclipseYan]

hi J-R good to know you've made the decision. now i'm faced with the same choice. just got the offer from mmf this afternoon. my friends are talking me into mmf but i am still thinking that maybe mqf would taught more which may turned out to be useful later. Anyway, enjoy your stay in Waterloo! That's a really tough 16 month

 

[awais]

Hi
I am a junior year student thinking about pursuing a Masters in mathematical finance/quantitative finance/financial engineering in a Canadian university. Any one know what is a competitive undergrad GPA ( in percentage) for these program ( beyond just the min stated)..Would a GPA in low to mid 80s be too low to be competitive?
thanks

 

[eclipseYan]

Hi
I am a junior year student thinking about pursuing a Masters in mathematical finance/quantitative finance/financial engineering in a Canadian university. Any one know what is a competitive undergrad GPA ( in percentage) for these program ( beyond just the min stated)..Would a GPA in low to mid 80s be too low to be competitive?
thanks

From what I know , MQF focus mainly on GPA. most UW MQF students have a GPA around 4 or even higher. Toronto MMF may take other things into account like your work experience, but generally 3.7 is a must.

If you can get a 3.9 or 4 that would be enough, I guess. Math and statstics is most important. Good luck：）

 

[ITS]

Hi guys,

I am applying for Waterloo Quant program, can any one share the format of their entrance test and general interview questions?

 

[nidaye]

Hi, I have been admitted into these 2 programs and am still hesitating to make a decision. Could anyone share experience or ideas on them? Understand that both of them are almost equal in terms of reputation and placement in Canada. My career goal is to do some work relevant to risk management or quantitative analysis in Toronto. I know that most grads from MMF went to risk management in major banks, but how about MQF?
Any suggestion or recommendation would be highly appreciated.

 

[Pangpang]

r u kidding? toronto mmf is definately better than waterloo mqf..........

 

[James McGill]

@Pangpang Why is that?

 

[okmijn]

Did you not read this: https://www.quantnet.com/threads/ne...a-graduate-of-that-program.19501/#post-147278

 

[Vincent Yang]

Waterloo hands down!! MMF is not on par with the rigor of MQF's curriculum. The tuition is also cheaper(you can almost cover the tuition from internship)

 

[yo yue]

Waterloo hands down!! MMF is not on par with the rigor of MQF's curriculum. The tuition is also cheaper(you can almost cover the tuition from internship)

yeah... thats probly true on the curriculum side... but placement rate might not be as good as Toronto MMF...

 

[mzamfir]

yeah... thats probly true on the curriculum side... but placement rate might not be as good as Toronto MMF...

I don't know what Toronto's MMF placement rate is, but from UWaterloo's MQF website, looks like during the last few years, there has been at most 1 person who didn't get placed upon graduation, out of ~20ish. Seems pretty good.

 

[Mike Rudd]

From what I've read in the last half year (mostly on this site) both are excellent programs with a very good reputations on Bay Street. The MMF is almost definitely better known internationally (see QuantNet rankings) but maybe doesn't deserve to be.

Based on the job postings I've read all of the most interesting (my opinion) risk-related jobs seem to prefer candidates with a PhD. If you decide to go for a PhD after one of these programs then it seems the MQF would more appropriate, as Vincent said it much more theoretically rigorous than the MMF.

If not then it's a tougher decision. I assume from the way everyone points out how much more theoretical the MQF is that it might not be as practical as the MMF. You would have to ask yourself what would suit your career goals better.