Columbia MFE Columbia MFE Admission Discussion

[Andy Nguyen]

Got it on 3/5 but made my mind today only

I added you to the Whatsapp chat group for incoming students.

 

[matinal]

I have created a Whatsapp group for incoming 2025-2026 students. I will DM the link to any member who has a 2025 tracker with status Enrolled.

I like to be part of it please

 

[TryAgain]

Anyone got result past 2 weeks??

 

[efffff]

There was an accepted student day yesterday, they mentioned they only have a few applications they haven’t go through yet

 

[TryAgain]

There was an accepted student day yesterday, they mentioned they only have a few applications they haven’t go through yet

thank you that's good to know. I remember they released results on rolling basis, so i guess that would mean acceptance results are pretty much all out already?

 

[nkscb]

Though my Columbia decision is still due, but nevertheless I know this will be a big confusion for me if I get accepted. Columbia vs Georgia Tech vs UCLA vs NCSU. What's your opinion? I want a future role in HFT/ quant trading.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

For those with a pending application for this program, please take a look at your tracker.
I have added a personalized chart on each Tracker so you can see how your profile stacks up against the rest of the other applicants.
This is a long overdue update and I hope you guys find it helpful.

 

[sidvz]

For those with a pending application for this program, please take a look at your tracker.
I have added a personalized chart on each Tracker so you can see how your profile stacks up against the rest of the other applicants.
This is a long overdue update and I hope you guys find it helpful.

Hey Andy, the chart is really clean and helpful! Although it does give me a reality check that I'm probably not getting in :')
Do you believe that GPA and GRE Q are the most significant determining factors for universities? Did you consider adding in more charts with other attributes such as work experience?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Hey @sidvz
We are very glad you find the new charts useful. These visual insights are incredible.
I have another member suggested the same thing about experience. Let me know how you think we can quantify it as a signal in addition to the grades, tests.

The trackers data tell very interesting story. At some programs, the GRE Q, GPA play an important role. It seems like some programs will use these as cut off points. They may not have an interview and have a large number of applicants so they want to filter out.
Some other programs will look at experience and other factors beside your GRE, GPA. They also interview applicants with a compelling story so it's another way to overcome non-competitive scores. I think @Leggoo MFE can be a good example of that.
Overall, I think with the unique tools and data we provide, it has never been easier to get an edge in the admission process.
I think it's too early to lose hope. We need more applicants to share their profile and timelines on the Tracker to make it even more useful.

I also forgot to mention GPA. Since most applicants are international students with different GPA system, your grades will be evaluated differently by different programs. This is unfortunate issue but unavoidable. The GPA on the Tracker is self-converted and self-reported by our members so it may not be the same as what the programs convert.

 

[EmmeFromItaly]

Hi guys,

I have currently been accepted to the MFE at NYU, and to the MSc at Asset Management at Yale University.

I still haven't received any feedback from the MFE at Columbia. Do you think it's now too late for being accepted at that program? I haven't seen any rejections so far from this cycle in the tracker...

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Hi guys,

I have currently been accepted to the MFE at NYU, and to the MSc at Asset Management at Yale University.

I still haven't received any feedback from the MFE at Columbia. Do you think it's now too late for being accepted at that program? I haven't seen any rejections so far from this cycle in the tracker...

Hi Emme,
Columbia MFE is notoriously bad with their response and decision updates, according to this discussion thread going back the last few years. As you can see, there are 42 pending trackers with zero rejection.
You can look at your tracker and see that you are in that quartile of those already admitted so I'll say you have a very good chance. The question is how long they will send a decision. Last year, they put most pending cases into Waitlisted as late as May. For most people, the decisions are already too late because they have deadline at other programs and have to arrange visa.
I suggest that you contact them. There is no harm in doing so. Make sure to mention you have admits from other programs and deadline to response.

 

[smapacha]

I did receive another email from them stating that my application is complete earlier today (probably for the 4th time)!

 

[nkscb]

I got this reply today. It doesn't help at all.

Thank you for your email. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an exact date of when your application decision will be available nor can we expedite the application review process. Applications are reviewed by a small admissions committee, and therefore, this process may take up to several months. Be assured, you will be notified of the result of your application review as soon as possible.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

-->>> "this process may take up to several months."
Sorry to be bearer of bad news but this is not news.
All you need to know so you can better prepare is to look at the discussion here a year ago. The applicants were in the exact situation.

https://quantnet.com/threads/columbia-mfe-admission-discussion.5580/page-181

 

[vlot]

I just got accepted today, can you send me the whats app link please?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

I saw this post on LinkedIn and I thought I would share it here.

I Graduated from Columbia University. Please Think Twice Before Coming for a Master’s in Financial Engineering.”

When I got my acceptance letter from Columbia University for the Financial Engineering program, I felt like I had made it. The Ivy League name, the reputation, the dream of Wall Street — everything felt like it was falling into place.

I came from India with stars in my eyes and a loan of $80,000 on my shoulders. I had been a top student in undergrad, cleared CFA Level 1, and even had a few internships. I thought I was ready. But the reality hit me like a freight train the moment I landed.

First, the coursework is intense — and not in a good way. The professors were brilliant, but the competition was brutal. Everyone around me was either already working at a hedge fund or came from top undergrad programs with deep quant backgrounds. The learning curve was steep, and there was little support to bridge the gap if you were from outside the U.S.

Second, the job market wasn’t what I expected. I thought a Columbia degree would open doors. But the truth is: it gets you interviews, not offers.

Third, OPT and visa constraints are real. Many of my international friends got internships but couldn’t convert them into full-time roles because the firms wouldn’t sponsor. I saw talented classmates return to their home countries, disheartened and buried in debt.

I eventually landed a risk analytics role — not the front-office quant dream I envisioned. It pays decently, and I’m grateful. But I won’t sugarcoat it: I’m still paying off my loan three years later, and I often wonder if it was worth it.

So here’s my advice: don’t come for an MFE in the U.S. unless:

You already have strong coding/math skills (Python, C++, statistics, stochastic calculus).

You’re ready to network like crazy.

You’re okay with ending up in a mid-office or risk role.

You have a backup plan — or the financial means to take the risk.

Make your decision with open eyes, not just dreams.

 

[Csp]

Hi Andy, I saw it too. I think it generally applies to all MFE programs. You can’t expect to obtain a front office just because of the program

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Hi Andy, I saw it too. I think it generally applies to all MFE programs. You can’t expect to obtain a front office just because of the program

Exactly. I expressed it as such to the OP. If someone is on QuantNet, they already have an informational edge over other applicants. They at least read the bad/good reviews and know what to expect.
A lot of people see the $ sign and blindly jump in without doing the hardwork to prepare themselves. A degree from Columbia MFE is an expensive piece of paper if you can't pass an screening interview, don't know how to code, do not network, etc.
This would apply to any program, actually. Columbia attracts a larger share of applicants thinking Ivy league degree will automatically open more doors. The above example shows just how expectation and reality collide.

#besmart #beprepared #doresearch | Andy Nguyen

This kind of disappointing outcome can often be 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 with thorough research and clear-eyed expectations before committing to a $100K+ loan and a brutally competitive career path. ✅ 𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌. Read program reviews and feedback from past students. For example, check out the detailed...

www.linkedin.com

 

[nkscb]

Any update on MFE results of Columbia?

 

[TryAgain]

just another one of those "your application is complete" and "Join an upcoming event".

I'm guessing it's either rejection or waitlist at this point. it seems like there were no acceptances in past years after mid april.