What are my chances to get into top MFE or Ms Finance?
Hi everyone,
I'm currently a junior at a non-target school with a major in Econ and a minor in Math. My plan is to apply to a top ten MFE or Ms in Finance program (haven't decided which one yet) right after graduation. Below is my profile:
- GPA: 3.98
- Extracurricular Activities: VP of ENACTUS, VP of a financial club, eboard member in several other student clubs, work-study in the tech studio and resident assistant.
- For MFE, I wonder if a Math minor is enough. By the time I apply, I will have Calculus, Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, Proof, Stat, and probably Analysis I&II in my transcript. No knowledge in computer science though.
- I may take CFA L1 next June. Not sure how much that will boost my chance to get acceptance.
- Work exp: very little. I got an internship with a small local firm in a marketing & sales position so it probably won't help much, but I'm trying to land a better internship next summer.
So my questions are:
- What kind of program better suits my profile, MFE or Ms Finance?
- Anything I can do now to improve my application. Please be as specific as possible (e.g: what type of internship I should get?)
- I'm also considering a program outside the U.S such as LSE or HEC (shorter, maybe less costly). However I want to work in the U.S after that so will that be a drawback?
Any other advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!!!
what positions are you targeting post-MS/MFE? - that would determine what program is best suited for you.
if you know that..you could try to get internships in that line. -
Also, look at the student profiles of accepted students at the schools your are targeting - that could serve as a benchmark and all.
You're borderline for Princeton MFin. You certainly have the G.P.A. The math is kinda there. The lack of a F.O. internship at a well-established makes this a tough sell, though. It's still worth applying, but I don't think your odds are much better than 15% against stochal masters from Tsinghua and Polytechnique.
I think you've got a much better shot at NYU, Columbia, CMU, and maybe MIT. I think one of those schools will take you.
An FO internship at an established firm, working on portfolio/strategy research, doing some sort of quantitative trading, or perhaps IBD would give you as good a shot as an American undergrad not from an east coast private school gets at Princeton.
I also strongly recommend speaking to Andy Nguyen at Quantnet.com. He is kinda the go-to expert on MFE/MFin admissions.
Please answer my thread! (in regards to attaining prerequisites for MFE/ Master of Math in Finance)
Anyways, different topic; as OP stated, he has no real programming/comp sci skills. Is this a sort of prereq for MFE programs? They state math prereqs on most sites, but don't really disclose computer skill prereqs. Is C++, etc typically needed for these degrees?
You're stats are fine assuming you crush the GMAT. Better question is what do you want to do with the degree. MSF's and MFE's are completely different degrees and provide different opportunities. I'd figure out what you are interested in before deciding which degree to study.
Also, have you tried networking and securing a job from undergrad? A masters might not be necessary in your case.
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