Columbia MFE Columbia MFE Application Discussion

[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...

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[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.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Another week and the number of pending is still at 42.
We only account for a fraction of the actual applicant pool so I imagine there are hundreds of applicants still pending at this point.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Last year, they sent offer to 155 applicants out of 1473 applicants.
This year, we already have 25 admits out of 67 members on our Tracker.
This is an astounding number because while only account for 4.5% of last year applicant numbers, we have 1/6 of last year admit.

 

[nkscb]

Quantnet's admission data shows some fluctuation. Last year ( 2024), 31 out of 81 applicants received offers, resulting in a 38% admission rate. This contrasts with 2023, when the rate was notably higher at 58% (21 offers from 37 applicants).

For the current cycle ( 2025), 24 acceptances have been confirmed so far, with 43 applications still pending decisions. If all pending applications were rejected, the admission rate would fall to approximately 35% (based on 24 acceptances out of the 67 known outcomes). Conversely, if the final admission rate were to match the 2023 figure of 58%, it would imply that approximately 9 more offers are yet to be issued to the pending group.

This analysis suggests that the chances for applicants still awaiting a decision appear slim. Even under the more optimistic scenario mirroring the 2023 admission rate, the probability of receiving an offer seems to be less than 1 in 5 for the remaining candidates (9 potential offers / 43 pending applications).

 

[ywywywy]

Hi, I got waitlisted today. I wonder if this program ever admit any students from the waitlist in previous years.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Hi, I got waitlisted today. I wonder if this program ever admit any students from the waitlist in previous years.

Not that I know of. This has become a familiar pattern. They moved everyone to a waitlist and no result until late May. At that point, most people have given up or joined another program.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

It's very interesting that we have no single rejection on the Tracker for 2025. It's either pending/waitlisted or accepted.
If anyone has any insight into this, I would love to learn more.
My theory is that rejection needs manual review and takes longer so they prioritize the admits first.
Pending -> waitlisted can be handled automatically so it gives applicants the impression that progress is being made.
Reality is that either you get admits up front, most people will get a rejection notification in the next few months.
Moving from waitlist to accepted is very rare at this point.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Looks like rejection notices are coming out today. We have a few people on Tracker with the updates today.

 

[TryAgain]

Looks like rejection notices are coming out today. We have a few people on Tracker with the updates today.

yeah sadly didn't make it.
Congrats on people who did! Hope the best for everyone

 

[Andy Nguyen]

yeah sadly didn't make it.
Congrats on people who did! Hope the best for everyone

The silver lining is that applicants can get a decision sooner and instead of waiting until May or June.

 

[ShivC]

The silver lining is that applicants can get a decision sooner and instead of waiting until May or June.

I still haven't received anything from them.