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.
