UK CS Masters application - is it remotely competitive?
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Your coding background is definitely going to be solid. The question is will the math ability be high enough. From your coursework it certainly looks like you have taken the right things. Your work experience is also excellent. What will your response be when you are invariably asked why the transition from comp sci into quantitative finance?
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Regarding the GRE, I'd suggest looking at the tracker to compare your scores. To be honest, Q169 V161 is amazing. Aiming for 170 when you have 169 is a waste of time in my opinion, you're 1 point away from a perfect score and we all know how silly this test can be. I believe we tend to over emphasize the importance of the GRE in the application. That being said, it is still remotely useful to show that you have "math" abilities, especially when your math background is lackluster. But you won't get rejected because you have 169 and not 170 on the quantitative part of the GRE...
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I agree my maths ability doesn't really have much evidence propping it up. I have a high GPA in all my maths modules, but I see that's a hole I should try to further fill. Thanks! Is there anything in particular that could prove my mathematical ability?
Regarding the question about the transition - I saw my CS degree with ML specialism as a great opportunity to deeply understand ml theory and put it into practice in quantitative finance. I believe the 2nd Masters will bolster my financial understanding so I have a more comprehensive understanding of the field.
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I agree with your take on it and likely won't retake it simply because I think there are likely more useful things I can do to demonstrate my maths capabilities. I will continue to take maths-centric modules, but I understand my maths background is certainly behind applicants with a pure mathematics degree. Any ideas on what else I could do to demonstrate my maths ability? Thanks!
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For the math background taking
Calculus 1, 2, 3, linear algebra, advanced calculus/real analysis 1, a differential equations course, a probability course, a stats course, a numerical analysis course, and maybe another course or two basically gets you a major in mathematics in an undergraduate program here in the US. You probably have a lot of this math already with the CS degree!
Calculus 1, 2, 3, linear algebra, advanced calculus/real analysis 1, a differential equations course, a probability course, a stats course, a numerical analysis course, and maybe another course or two basically gets you a major in mathematics in an undergraduate program here in the US. You probably have a lot of this math already with the CS degree!
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Hello there, I agree with the aforementioned messages. I would like to add that although all three universities are located in London, they vary significantly in terms of their academic standing. As a student of a top London university who is applying for MFE in the US this year, I suggest carefully targeting the master's programs you intend to apply to, based on your current university as well. Imperial is highly regarded, UCL is also decent, while King's is not as strong, particularly in the areas of Computer Science and Mathematics. Best of luck to you, as you have a great profile!
I have a similar profile with you, with a MechEng MSc from a top UK uni which arguably less relevant than CS and got into both Princeton and Berkeley. One thing I will mention is that KCL is in a completely different tier from UCL and Imperial, and I also think that a first class degree is definitely much higher than a 3.7 equivalent for GPA.
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Hmm... What makes you say that?
UCLA MFE, and GaTech QCF should definitely be fine with 169Q. For the other 2 programs however since your profile is kind of lacking in terms of maths, but you have a strong coding base as well as relevant work experience, I would focus more on improving the maths part of your application in any way possible.
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I see - makes sense. Thanks