UCB MFE Completing requirements while still working

[Jae Sang Shim]

Hello Quantnet!


I've just been admitted by UCB MFE, and the requirements are (except for the pre-program and reading) :

Python, R, SQL at any accredited institution
Coursework in Machine Learning (recommended course at Coursera)

Now, these are four courses that I have to take, and the due date is December 1st. So it leaves me with 3.3 months to complete all four courses.

I am currently working at a buy-side firm, working from 7:30 am to (at least) 6:15 pm.

The question is : would it be possible to take all the four courses within 3.3 month? Just by simple calculation, I have 3.5 weeks to complete each course.. which does not seem easy.

My total work experience is 6 months so far, but the firm I am working in is just a local buy-side firm and does not give much brand value to my resume.

I am leaning toward "quit the job in 1 month and study the subjects" option. Anybody ever had a situation like me? Any opinion on how much effort the courses require?

 

[TehRaio]

4 courses = full time = 40 hours per week of going to school, and study.
if you keep the full time job, and you try to do that, it's not going to end well.

 

[Levi McClenny]

I agree. I tried doing just 2 courses this summer while working full time and it ended very badly. Grades didn't turn out awesome and I was getting around 4 hours of sleep a night. This wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't so consistent. Since you got admitted to the program, and already have 6 months at this firm, it sounds like you'd be better off committing 100% to doing the pre-reqs for the degree. Especially if its just buy-side and doesn't really look too flashy on your resume. 4 courses is a lot, but I think its doable if you really commit.

I've been doing machine learning (self-study) and its not too complex with a decent probability background. Looks like there's a Coursera class opening on Sept. 1st. - Coursera - Free Online Courses From Top Universities

As far as the others are concerned, I'm proficient in R but that's because my thesis is making and submitting a package to CRAN. Learning that is a practice thing. I'm not sure what courses exist out there for them in an online delivery format, aside from Coursera. The others I'm not incredible proficient in, but I believe 3 months is enough time to get to a functional level with them. For Python and SQL you might look at teamtreehouse.com to get a good understanding, but you mentioned "accredited insitutions" and I'm not sure what that encompasses.

Just my 2 cents though. Good luck.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

Python, R, SQL at any accredited institution
Coursework in Machine Learning (recommended course at Coursera)

Now, these are four courses that I have to take, and the due date is December 1st. So it leaves me with 3.3 months to complete all four courses.

I am currently working at a buy-side firm, working from 7:30 am to (at least) 6:15 pm.

No way.

 

[Levi McClenny]

I agree. If I were you'd I'd be out the door today from the firm (figuratively) and committing to studying.

 

[Jae Sang Shim]

Aw... even if I do them on online courses like Coursera? (UCB comfirmed that it is an accredited institution )