COMPARE UCLA MFE vs Chicago MSFM

[Lin]

get the names of the 2010 students from the website and google name + linkedin

 

[pocari]

>> better quality of education
I think that depends on you ,which program do you see yourself fit the best? One is in business school, one is financial mathematics. Without knowing your background, Can't you get a job in Chicago and attend the program part-time there, that seem to be most cost-effective.

From reading reviews by students, I get the impression that the professors are a lot better (at teaching) @ ucla compared to chicago. Also, I've been out of school for a few years so I think I'll fit in with the crowd in UCLA more. The program director from chicago told me that most people at chicago are going to be students from china who just finished their undergrad.

In terms of doing part time, I am not an American so getting a job in Chicago would be a challenge.

 

[pocari]

UCLA sent me the placement states for the 2010 class.
75% placed after first quarter. 83% placed so far this year.

Salary data:
average 98000
low 70000
high 155000
Median 95000
avg bonus 32000

 

[abcdefh]

Good for you finding it out.

Surprised that Chicago told you most people are from China.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Surprised that Chicago told you most people are from China.

Historically, it's been the case at most MFE programs though now the top programs wise up and put in some effort to recruit domestic students.

 

[sgupt]

UCLA sent me the placement states for the 2010 class.
75% placed after first quarter. 83% placed so far this year.

2010 class graduated in Dec'10 so does this mean 83% ppl got the job?
bonus? How do they know the bonus numbers, students havent worked for even a year!

 

[pocari]

2010 class graduated in Dec'10 so does this mean 83% ppl got the job?
bonus? How do they know the bonus numbers, students havent worked for even a year!

I'm guessing those are signing bonus

 

[Arash_Barmas]

Hi everyone, I got offers from UCLA MFE and Chicago MSFM. I initally wanted to accept UCLA, but Chicago offered me 70% scholorship on tuition which is very tempting. My career goal is to become quant research analyst in hedge funds. I’d like to know which program is better for quant research role in buy-side. Chicago location is obviuosly an advantage and curriculum looks very good, but I heard bad things about the program. UCLA MFE also is a very good program, and the employment stats looks better than Chicago.

Any insight or comment would be appreciated.

 

[Rojb]

Hey, i think chicago program is more tailored towards trader positions but im not sure

 

[quantnoob]

I got admits from UCLA MFE and UChicago MSFM (with 35% scholarship). Please help me decide between the two programs. Below is my background.

Engineering Graduate from a Tier 1 College in India (Not in Computer Science) with a minor degree in Finance.​

​

I have already cleared CFA L1 and will clear (hopefully) CFA L2 by the time I join in Fall 2021.​

​

2 years of work experience as a quantitative analyst in the Risk Management division for Credit Suisse. The work was mostly related to regression models and the use of econometrics.​

Average coding skills (I am working on improving this before the start of the program)​

Strong Finance and statistics knowledge.​

 

[EverythingPOINT]

Mention a few lines about what you wish or not wish to do post graduation and that will help others to guide you better. For example: if you are looking for trading roles, the MSFM is no brainer.

 

[quantnoob]

Sure, I have worked a bit on financial models and I found model/ strategy development to be interesting. I don't have any exposure to quant research or quant trading. But, I would love to work in those areas. If buy side doesn't work out, I am fine with some quant role in IBs.

I don't want to work as a data scientist in banks or IT companies.

 

[prisonMike]

I totally agree with @EverythingPOINT, if you want to work as a Quant Trader, Chicago is the better option. Else it is 50-50.
You should also consider that Chicago MSFM program in under their Physical Sciences dept. where as the UCLA FE program is in their business school. Based on my research a few folks from UCLA do go for non quant roles.
I think if you are sure about Quant, you can go for UChicago(given that you have secured a scholarship as well) and if you wish to explore other non-quant areas, UCLA might be a better fit.

 

[kaventkw]

Hi Everyone. Hoping for some advice from some of you who've been through the process if possible.
Results came out on 10 March that I've been waitlisted by Chicago MSFM and MIT MFin. Currently, I've been accepted into UCLA and UIUC. I am also waiting for the results from Cornell. I'm wondering if I should accept UCLA or wait and see for the other programmes.

For context, I have aspirations to become a quantitative trader with a focus on equities. I scored a 750 on my GMAT (Q49 & V44). I have First-Class Honors in Finance from a non-reputable university and 3 years of experience in buy-side Equity Structured Products & Derivatives in a Singapore bank.

I am wondering what my chances are like for clinching a spot on the waitlist, and if UCLA is a good enough choice if I want to fulfil my career aspirations. Thank you so much for inputs

 

[kaventkw]

Bumping for more replies

 

[Frank Chen]

I wonder how many people usually can get out of the waitlist.

 

[kaventkw]

I wonder how many people usually can get out of the waitlist.

I was wondering that as well. Thinking if there’s some way to see that via the tracker.

 

[Charles_Song]

I believe that they've already sent enough offers to those students they want and to ensure that they will have enough students to deposit the offers, i.e., UChi intends to secure 91 FT students and 10 PT students this year (same data from last year). And to guarantee it would still have those amount students left for those missing students who prefer other better programs that they've already got admitted to, the University will usually send out an excessive amount of offers, i.e., 200-250. And based on my tentative guess that, as UChi is not a bad program and the amount of WL they've sent exactly on the due date of the decision day, I think there will be a considerable amount of people in this pool right now waiting to be admitted. So, good luck to all of us, and wish we can be the lucky ones to be drawn out from the WL pool.

 

[RCRGTG]

I was wondering that as well. Thinking if there’s some way to see that via the tracker.

I was waitlisted by UChicago last friday and on monday I received an admission offer

 

[kaventkw]

I was waitlisted by UChicago last friday and on monday I received an admission offer

Congratulations!