COMPARE Columbia University MFE vs Carnegie Mellon University MSCF

[CaliIBHopeful]

Not really because mscf students and bscf students pretty much take the same courses. I wouldn’t say mscf students are more advanced tbh. They may have more experience in which case they join as associates then they are paid more. The primary difference is that mscf students take financial computing I, II, III and our programming courses just don’t have applications to finance but the core material taught is the same. In fact a lot of employers would prefer undergrads to grad students. If you take studies in financial engineering with Duane seppi he mentions that the projects of bscf students are better than those of mscf students.

 

[CaliIBHopeful]

Is it possible that recruiters preferred MSCF graduates over BSCF? More advanced students for the same price...

Not really because mscf students and bscf students pretty much take the same courses. I wouldn’t say mscf students are more advanced tbh. They may have more experience in which case they join as associates then they are paid more. The primary difference is that mscf students take financial computing I, II, III and our programming courses just don’t have applications to finance but the core material taught is the same. In fact a lot of employers would prefer undergrads to grad students. If you take studies in financial engineering with Duane seppi he mentions that the projects of bscf students are better than those of mscf students.

 

[mhy]

If you take studies in financial engineering with Duane seppi he mentions that the projects of bscf students are better than those of mscf students.

Would not be surprised. The pace of that class is brutal. By the time you've got a handle on the case study, the course is almost over. Most students were scrambling to get something together in the last 1-2 weeks of the 7-week class (while studying for finals in other classes, preparing for interviews, and going to recruiting events all at the same time).

 

[Vaibhav Goel]

Anyone deciding between the two?
What is your preference and why?

I am inclined towards CMU MSCF (Pittsburgh)
for which the only downside according to me is not being in New York. Could anyone comment on how big a disadvantage would that be?

 

[Zeroxieeee]

Definitely vote for CMU
Better career placement

 

[Ann Z]

I'm also trying to decide between these two (need to make a decision before the 7th). Help!

 

[Yifan Zheng]

Definitely CMU. Better career service and strong background.

 

[Onegin]

CMU is a partnership of 4 departments with courses specifically designed for the field in close partnership w/ industry. I'm not sure about Columbia. I was impressed w/ Pittsburgh; students there seemed very focused on material. NYC seemed more focused for those going to interviews. Probably an advantage for short term, but I think it will catch up with them long term.

 

[rohitkrohit]

You can check the placement statistics for Columbia MFE and CMU MSCF from the below links.. Columbia have recently updated their stats:

MSFE Career Placement Statistics

Companies that made a full-time offer to one or more MSFE student who graduated in October 2019 or February 2020

ieor.columbia.edu

https://www.cmu.edu/mscf/careers/employment-reports/2018%20MSCF%20Employment%20Report.pdf

 

[IntoDarkness]

You can check the placement statistics for Columbia MFE and CMU MSCF from the below links.. Columbia have recently updated their stats:

MSFE Career Placement Statistics

Companies that made a full-time offer to one or more MSFE student who graduated in October 2019 or February 2020

ieor.columbia.edu

https://www.cmu.edu/mscf/careers/employment-reports/2018%20MSCF%20Employment%20Report.pdf

these two look comparable. pick either one is fine. i don't think the op will miss anything from the other program

 

[Risky Business]

You can check the placement statistics for Columbia MFE and CMU MSCF from the below links.. Columbia have recently updated their stats:

MSFE Career Placement Statistics

Companies that made a full-time offer to one or more MSFE student who graduated in October 2019 or February 2020

ieor.columbia.edu

https://www.cmu.edu/mscf/careers/employment-reports/2018%20MSCF%20Employment%20Report.pdf

Placement statistics are a tricky thing....

 

[anmbl]

Spoke to folks in both the programs (MFE and CMU Pittsburgh) - Said that there is little (if any) disadvantage of CMU's Pittsburgh location.

 

[FrozenZ]

Definitely CMU MSCF NYC campus. Pitts is good for academic experience but it is not the whole point of a master in financial engineering. The whole point is securing a potential professional opportunity.

 

[Risky Business]

Definitely CMU MSCF NYC campus. Pitts is good for academic experience but it is not the whole point of a master in financial engineering. The whole point is securing a potential professional opportunity.

I am recluctant to pay 100k to take online classes. Besides, talking with employers about experiences you ahd with your teachers and such is always an interesting topic.

 

[FrozenZ]

I am recluctant to pay 100k to take online classes. Besides, talking with employers about experiences you ahd with your teachers and such is always an interesting topic.

Which is why I didn't choose CMU MSCF NYC campus. A very very good program but it's just overpaid lol.

 

[michael K]

Hello everyone!

I am having trouble deciding between these two programs which I have been admitted to.

The Columbia MFE seems like a well rounded program for quants in general, but has a less robust support in terms of career services.

In contrast, CMU MSCF is well-known for its concentration to computer programming, and has a strong career caring services; however the name value is a little bit behind Columbia, and I am not sure that NY campus is a best place to satiate my academic needs.

My goal is to (1) land successfully in the US as a quant (haven't decided a specific role yet), and (2) meet great colleagues who are both motivated in academics and job searching.

If there are any current students or alumni seeing this post, it would be great to know more about the general pros and cons of each program. Thank you very much!

 

[cheron_jrm]

Hello !
First, congrats on your admits !

I'd personally go with CMU.

Indeed, Columbia is a well established program in NYC, and is definitely well represented in all IBs in NYC, so you'll have plenty of networking opportunities. On the other hand, CMU has an incredibly strong curriculum, and its graduates got into great jobs in both IBs and buy side firms. If you are unsure about the type of jobs you'd like, I'd advise you to go to CMU, as I guess you'd get more skills, and the placements are strong in a wider range of jobs.

I may be wrong, but I feel like Columbia's MFE is not as good as it used to be in terms of curriculum, and that it did not manage well the post-crisis switch to data oriented methods. Don't get me wrong, it is still a strong program and has strong placements and a very strong name. However, I think that Courant's and CMU for instance may be more interesting in terms of skills.