Columbia University?

What's going on everyone? So I have a 2.9 GPA and major in History. I'm also studying my ass off for the CFA® (Level 1) in June. I'm currently looking for internships as well. But my question is, do you think with all this going is it worth it to enroll into Columbia University (Business Certificate Program)? There is no way I'm getting in on regular admissions and the certificate program would cost 20k all together. Any value for resume?

 
Best Response

Certificate programs are worthless. $20k is absurd. If you want to pad your resume and you're currently in NY do a MS in something applicable to general finance at a state school such as Baruch. You can finish the program in a year and it will cost less than $20k.

Do your CFA and perhaps a CAIA if you're into alternative investments. If you have $ to burn go onto Amazon and buy books on what skills you need for your dream yet realistic job (e.g. advanced Excel, VBA, modeling in Excel, SQL, C++, books about industry concepts, etc.)

 
mb666:
Certificate programs are worthless. $20k is absurd. If you want to pad your resume and you're currently in NY do a MS in something applicable to general finance at a state school such as Baruch. You can finish the program in a year and it will cost less than $20k.

Do your CFA and perhaps a CAIA if you're into alternative investments. If you have $ to burn go onto Amazon and buy books on what skills you need for your dream yet realistic job (e.g. advanced Excel, VBA, modeling in Excel, SQL, C++, books about industry concepts, etc.)

Thank you for the advice, you're right it would be a waste of money. I could not find anyone on linkedin that was particularly successful in AM/PWM (or any part in finance) that did that program. I was a sucker for name brand for a moment there.

The problem with MS is that I don't have the GPA to really get into the school I want. CFA and CAIA and reading more would probably be the best bet for me. Thanks again though.

 
madmoney15:
mb666:
Certificate programs are worthless. $20k is absurd. If you want to pad your resume and you're currently in NY do a MS in something applicable to general finance at a state school such as Baruch. You can finish the program in a year and it will cost less than $20k.

Do your CFA and perhaps a CAIA if you're into alternative investments. If you have $ to burn go onto Amazon and buy books on what skills you need for your dream yet realistic job (e.g. advanced Excel, VBA, modeling in Excel, SQL, C++, books about industry concepts, etc.)

Thank you for the advice, you're right it would be a waste of money. I could not find anyone on linkedin that was particularly successful in AM/PWM (or any part in finance) that did that program. I was a sucker for name brand for a moment there.

The problem with MS is that I don't have the GPA to really get into the school I want. CFA and CAIA and reading more would probably be the best bet for me. Thanks again though.

You don't need to aim too high (MS school wise) if all you want to do is AM/PWM. You can do fine with second tier schools such as Fordham, Rutgers, Baruch, etc.

Now if you want to work in IB for a bulge bracket, or on the buy-side/front-office for a HF, PE, etc. then of course that Ivy background would help.

 

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