COMPARE UCB MFE vs Columbia MSFE

[timmy_c]

I recevied these two offer and not sure which one is the better option. Columbia has the advantage of being located in New York but its curriculum isn't as good as Berkeley (not very sure though). Also, Berkeley is only a one year program while Columbia is a two year program. Any guidance on career outlook or academic workload will be much appreciated.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

They are aiming at different career paths. What do you want to get out of them?

 

[timmy_c]

I aim to be a trader in investment bank and I am also quite interested in the field of quantitative trading but I do not have much experience

 

[Andy Nguyen]

I aim to be a trader in investment bank and I am also quite interested in the field of quantitative trading but I do not have much experience

I would start by adding your application timelines to the Tracker so I can have a better understanding of your profile.
Again, being a trader at an IB is quite broad a description. It can be as simple as flow traders who executive trades for clients. These types of jobs have their own recruit pipeline (target undergrad programs or MBA programs). Sales traders are the typical type you see on trading desks in movies.
Then there are prop traders who trade bank's own money.
Quant traders, traders who work on specific desks, etc. The list goes on.
You should narrow down your interest so you can focus on which path to take and which program is best suited. Otherwise, you will be overwhelmed very quickly.

 

[timmy_c]

I would start by adding your application timelines to the Tracker so I can have a better understanding of your profile.
Again, being a trader at an IB is quite broad a description. It can be as simple as flow traders who executive trades for clients. These types of jobs have their own recruit pipeline (target undergrad programs or MBA programs). Sales traders are the typical type you see on trading desks in movies.
Then there are prop traders who trade bank's own money.
Quant traders, traders who work on specific desks, etc. The list goes on.
You should narrow down your interest so you can focus on which path to take and which program is best suited. Otherwise, you will be overwhelmed very quickly.

Thanks for the advice. I added my application to the tracker. If I want to focus in being a quant trader (and perhaps aiming for Jane Street/Jump), which program would you recommend? Thanks.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Hey Timmy, I'm not going to rose color anything for you. Reality is that none of your options will lead you to your desired goal of being a QT at JS/JT/Citadel/etc. In fact, very few people from these programs graduate to such a role. It's a long process and some may get there eventually on their own merits, not based on their master degree.
CBS MSFE is geared toward research roles. A look at their latest employment will show you that.
After 2 years there, you should expect a research analyst or associate (if you already have some years of experience) at one of the sell-side banks.
At for UCB MFE program, they have recent changes to the leadership team which is very controversial for recent graduates. It's unclear how it well it will place and where.
I would advise that you lower your expectation, do your best so you can get an internship after your first semester. Learn more about the industry, your strength and weakness and find your role.