Apply for 2008 or wait out?

[Adam G]

Hello all. I'm a May 2007 chemical engineering graduate who is currently working in the engineering field, but would like to go into an MFE program in the near future. I have good scholastic credentials, 3.65, 790/560, all As in my math classes. I took a few finance classes in undergrad, and entered last year's IB contest, but did not have enough trades to place. I trade stocks and options in my personal IB account and have written a VB.net program that is successfully doing ETF arbitrage.

I know I should retake the GRE to get that 800, but should I also try and get more relevant work experience also?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

MFE programs will always be there for you to apply. If anything, there will be more programs springing up in the future
Getting relevant experience would
1)help getting in a top program
2)give you clear career goal
3)benefit more from the program

Even though I've seen many fresh graduates successfully transfer to the finance industry from an MFE program, I have an impression that those with 1-2 years of relevant working experience benefit the most. They seem to know exactly what they want and can apply the knowledge right away.

But studying while working is always tough.