Columbia University MS in Financial Economics Application Discussion

[tips]

Current Finance PhD student at columbia interviewed me (graduated from the program a year or two ago)

 

[Qui-Gon]

What are your guys’ thoughts on having students do the interviews? Do you think this is done because the interviews are really geared towards fit (at least from the 4 of our experiences) and who better to assess fit than current MSFE/Finance PhD students?

 

[tips]

My interviewer said the point is to get a gauge for how good of a fit the candidate is going to be for the program from goals / math background / financial acumen, and I think current/ former students do a good job of judging that fit.

it seems like they’re looking for people with work experience in finance that can hit the ground running in the program. He seemed to feel that the programs career services aren’t great, so you shouldn’t be coming with the expectation you’ll get a lot of help there. Having pre-existing networks is super helpful

 

[Qui-Gon]

it seems like they’re looking for people with work experience in finance that can hit the ground running in the program. He seemed to feel that the programs career services aren’t great, so you shouldn’t be coming with the expectation you’ll get a lot of help there. Having pre-existing networks is super helpful

I was regretting having not asked about career services — thank you for posting this.

 

[tips]

Yeah, he said the program is very much meant for people who could get a job in the field without much help from the program. He made a point to stress how much disparity there is in recruiting between MBAs, for example, and students in this program.

Overall it still seems like a good fit for me, but he did stress that stufents coming in with less pre-existing network connections or recruiting experience may struggle at first with the process. Also, he mentioned that as far as getting internships goes, the coursework you’re taking in the program isn’t super helpful for that in your first semester, which also makes recruiting a bit difficult.

 

[Zelong Qiu]

Yeah, he said the program is very much meant for people who could get a job in the field without much help from the program. He made a point to stress how much disparity there is in recruiting between MBAs, for example, and students in this program.

Overall it still seems like a good fit for me, but he did stress that stufents coming in with less pre-existing network connections or recruiting experience may struggle at first with the process. Also, he mentioned that as far as getting internships goes, the coursework you’re taking in the program isn’t super helpful for that in your first semester, which also makes recruiting a bit difficult.

Did that student mentioned that's the exact disparity is? The program director told me MSFE student can use the career service for MBA students and have 2 additional dedicated career service staff.

Agree the curriculum design(especially the first year) is geared more toward the finance research rather than industry application. Definitely not a program fit everyone's need.

 

[tips]

His criticism (which I’ve heard for similar programs like MIT) is that the recruiters coming for the business school are coming primarily for MBA candidates so the jobs are primarily better suited for mbas and financial econ students aren’t their primary objective

 

[Zelong Qiu]

His criticism (which I’ve heard for similar programs like MIT) is that the recruiters coming for the business school are coming primarily for MBA candidates so the jobs are primarily better suited for mbas and financial econ students aren’t their primary objective

I see. So the issue is more like the discrepancy between the target student those recruiter trying to hire and the nature of this program. I thought it is something like the MBA students have access to XYZ but MSFE students don't.

 

[Qui-Gon]

Personally, I don’t really think the 1st year curriculum is not industry oriented. Track B certainly is. However, if they don’t have built out career services specifically intended for MSFE students, that for me is the deal breaker. The curriculum is unparalleled, at least with respect to my interests, however, given the importance of post-grad placement for me, I don’t think coursework alone is enough to carry this program, at least for those students like myself who don’t have substantial experience working in finance.

Can’t understate how appreciative I am for @tips posting what he has above, I think it has made up my mind for me.

 

[Kevinxiong]

I scheduled an interview later today, but the google form didn't ask me for a Skype account. I still didn't receive any confirmation email and had only 4 hours left before my interview. For those people who have already finished interviews, I am wondering how and when the interviewer contact with you. Thanks a lot.

 

[Qui-Gon]

I scheduled an interview later tomorrow, but the google form didn't ask me for a Skype account. I still didn't receive any confirmation email and had only 4 hours left before my interview. For those people who have already finished interviews, I am wondering how and when the interviewer contact with you. Thanks a lot.

For me, my interview was through Zoom. My interviewer sent me a Zoom invite 2-3 days before my interview. I would send an email to Dr. Johannes. If you’re being interviewed by a student, I’m sure that they are likely just busy and may send it to you closer to your interview time.

 

[Zoz]

I scheduled an interview later today, but the google form didn't ask me for a Skype account. I still didn't receive any confirmation email and had only 4 hours left before my interview. For those people who have already finished interviews, I am wondering how and when the interviewer contact with you. Thanks a lot.

Mine was sent to me one day before the Interview. Zoom as well.

 

[rivoltP]

I scheduled an interview later today, but the google form didn't ask me for a Skype account. I still didn't receive any confirmation email and had only 4 hours left before my interview. For those people who have already finished interviews, I am wondering how and when the interviewer contact with you. Thanks a lot.

When did you receive the invitation email? Mine was like 10 days ago. Why do you schedule the interview so late? Or they just sent out another batch?

 

[tips]

did anyone else besides @Zelong Qiu get an unofficial offer already?

 

[rivoltP]

did anyone else besides @Zelong Qiu get an unofficial offer already?

Wait, what? Unofficial offer? How does that work?

 

[Zoz]

What does an unofficial offer mean? By email?

 

[Zelong Qiu]

What does an unofficial offer mean? By email?

Yes, an very unofficial email from the program director(probably because he was in my interview). And he mentioned they won't send out official decisions in next few weeks(on Feb 21). So I guess they official ones may come next week after their spring break.

 

[Zoz]

Yes, an very unofficial email from the program director(probably because he was in my interview). And he mentioned they won't send out official decisions in next few weeks(on Feb 21). So I guess they official ones may come next week after their spring break.

Did you get it right after your Interview or recently this week？

 

[Zelong Qiu]

Did you get it right after your Interview or recently this week？

one day after the interview. My interview was Friday afternoon and got an email on Sunday.

 

[Zoz]

one day after the interview. My interview was Friday afternoon and got an email on Sunday.

Mine was Sunday afternoon. I sent a thank-you email to my interviewer and the interviewer said "it was a nice chat with you." Couldn't see whether it was successful or not...