COMPARE Columbia University MAFN vs Columbia University MSOR

[S_Thomas]

Can anyone tell me which is better, if I have no working experience in financial industry? To me, it seems Columbia MAFN is more reputed and a lot of math, which I am fine with. But as Columbia MSOR is one year and a half, so maybe I can do one more internship? And I heard there is really zero career service in Columbia MAFN.

 

[mhy]

If you want to get into quant finance, I believe MAFN is looked upon more favorably. The MSOR is just that, a MS in Operations Research. Not financial engineering. As you said you are largely your own when it comes to finding a job. By the way, starting in Fall 2013, Columbia MAFN added the option of doing the program in 3 semesters rather than 2 so the internship shouldn't be an issue. (I know because I was admitted to MAFN in 2013 and they told me about the change)

 

[S_Thomas]

If you want to get into quant finance, I believe MAFN is looked upon more favorably. The MSOR is just that, a MS in Operations Research. Not financial engineering. As you said you are on largely your own when it comes to finding a job. By the way, starting in Fall 2013, Columbia MAFN added the option of doing the program in 3 semesters rather than 2 so the internship shouldn't be an issue. (I know because I was admitted to MAFN in 2013 and they told me about the change)

Thanks, it looks like you are satisfied with this year in MAFN?

 

[mhy]

I ended up attending a different program

 

[S_Thomas]

I ended up attending a different program

All right

 

[jsim]

I'm deciding between these two programs..
I also got admissions from Cornell in AOR track and from UChicago MSFM but I'm not considering these options. Since my undergrad institution is in upstate New York I thought NYC is a better choice than Chicago for networking in terms of location (I also read that Chicago has not very good career services/placement).
I'm waiting for results from NYU Math Finance which I will probably join if I get admitted.

I'm graduating this May from my undergraduate institution and entering masters this coming fall.
No plans for PhD and I'm an international student but have no plans on going back to my home country until I work for at least a few years if I find a job here after masters.
Not much work experience except some internships, but these were finance related yet not so quantitative roles. That means, no hands on experience in quantitative finance.

So here are my questions.

1. One thing I like about the Columbia MSOR program is that it's very flexible. I'm going for masters directly out of undergrad so I think the flexibility of the curriculum will be a big plus for me.On the other hand, the MAFN seems more leaned towards core curriculum, which I think could be good if I like it or bad if I end up not liking it. Not having so much work experience, I'm honestly not sure if I will like the curriculum more leaned towards core courses, since I feel that my interest could always change (that's why I think the flexibility of the MSOR program is good for me). My concern about the MSOR program is that it looks like it is less valued in the job market than the other programs in NYC. Is MAFN certainly valued more in the market and has better placement than MSOR? My ultimate goal is in getting a job anyways, so whichever one that puts me in a better position in the job market would be the better one for me.

2. I read from some posts that the MAFN program has almost no career service (although I wasn't sure what this actually meant). Does this mean that other than job postings, there are almost no networking opportunities, no career workshops, no one-on-one advising, and no opportunities to have contact with employers through the program other than on my own? The posts that talked about its career services seemed to be pretty old so I'm hoping it's got better at this point. I'm fresh out of college heading for masters so I think career resources are pretty important for me.

3. How's the career services at MSOR? I'm guessing since it's class size is quite large it's hard for them to provide good care for its students (correct me if I'm wrong)? Do they share career resources with the MFE students and MAFN students?

Thanks all in advance!!

 

[Janday]

I was in the same boat with u. I end up going to the Columbia MSOR. I think NYC has more opportunities.. ! However Both programs will be amazing.

 

[jsim]

I was in the same boat with u. I end up going to the Columbia MSOR. I think NYC has more opportunities.. ! However Both programs will be amazing.

Thanks for sharing your decision!
Can I ask you what made you choose MSOR over MAFN?

 

[quantape]

Wasn't sure if there was already a forum on this, but how does these 2 programs compare and whether there's any significant difference between them. Thanks!

 

[Andy Nguyen]

They are completely different programs under different departments. MSOR is designed for supply chain and such but over the years, people find ways to tailor their courses selection for FE. Be prepared for not getting any dedicated career services if your aim is to get into quant finance.
In this highly competitive job market, it's recommended to do a proper program with dedicated career support team that can better prepare you. Even with the right program, getting in is just the first and easiest step.

 

[Leggoo MFE]

In this highly competitive job market, it's recommended to do a proper program with dedicated career support team that can better prepare you. Even with the right program, getting in is just the first and easiest step.

If I am not mistaken, this is the 'Industrial Engineering and Operations Research' and is ranked at no. 6 with a better Avg Salary right? If so, how come they achieve it without a dedicated career support team, any idea? They do have a dedicated Financial Engineering track.
I got into Columbia MAFN but myself wondering if I should wait for Columbia MFE results (which I believe is the Fu Foundation one which is IEOR). I have 4 years of workex (2 years quant structurer) and want to break into QR. I see many alumns of MAFN who are QR themselves doing what I aspire. So MAFN makes more sense if my research is correct?

Also, is it true that most experienced individuals prefer MAFN over MFE?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Columbia IEOR dept hosts several master programs, each with 100+ students. MFE and MSOR are just two of them.
The ranking is for the MFE program. We don't rank their MSOR program.
As for the career services, I would refer you to the reviews by recent graduates to get a better idea.

Columbia University - Masters in Financial Engineering - Reviews

quantnet.com

Columbia MAFN is offered by the Math department and the Statistics Dept. By its nature, it is more mathematical which may be more useful in QR roles. They don't publish detailed breakdown of their graduates by roles, firms so it's hard to know.
Each program enrolls 100+ students each year.