COMPARE Cornell University MFE vs Columbia University MSOR

[akshatmittal]

@alain .. sorry for using short cuts.. will take care of them in future postings..
I wanted to know from Joe what happened from the discussion at the department at Columbia about taking up courses allowed for MSFE students..
Also i wanted to know that is it better to wait for MSCF at CMU results or go with the MSOR program at Columbia... I've received mixed reviews about the MSOR program.. Wanted to know more about the recent placement rate and the career services offered by columbia for MSOR graduates.
Another query is regarding the class size for MSOR ??

 

[subhrain]

@alain .. sorry for using short cuts.. will take care of them in future postings..
I wanted to know from Joe what happened from the discussion at the department at Columbia about taking up courses allowed for MSFE students..
Also i wanted to know that is it better to wait for MSCF at CMU results or go with the MSOR program at Columbia... I've received mixed reviews about the MSOR program.. Wanted to know more about the recent placement rate and the career services offered by columbia for MSOR graduates.
Another query is regarding the class size for MSOR ??

CLass size of MSOR is 120+

 

[akshatmittal]

@subhrain
all 120 are full time or includes part time as well?
Does anyone have any idea, what percentage of class approximately picks up the finance courses in MSOR program

 

[kbharadwaj]

Why don't you guys find out the statistics by calling up the department and/or career services department of Columbia. That would give you a better idea, because neither of you are a current or previous student of the MSOR, so I feel asking the respective departments would be your best bet rather than asking each other. Hope this helps.

 

[subhrain]

@subhrain
all 120 are full time or includes part time as well?
Does anyone have any idea, what percentage of class approximately picks up the finance courses in MSOR program

FT/PT both I think.

See, most of us want a high paying job, which means most of us would like to get into Finance. You can get the rest ...

I you want more guidance email me at gho05002@gmail.com. I am in the same situation as you are, so I might be able to help out.

 

[akshatmittal]

I have been trying to call the department.. they have put it on voice messaging ...

 

[akshatmittal]

Joe..
can you please tell us what happened to the discussion with IEOR department regarding picking up the MSFE electives.
Also, If anyone has contacts of any alumni/current students of MSOR, please pass them to me as well.. thanks

 

[kbharadwaj]

Akshath, call the admissions department and tell that you need the contact emails of few current students of MSOR, they sure would help you out. That is what I did to contact the current students of my program. Hope that helps.

 

[dkeric]

The original question is "which one is better choice between cornell(MEng) and columbia(MSOR)"

 

[subhrain]

I do not know much about Cornells' program, but if it were to be the same with that of Columbia's MSOR (big possibility), I would avoid it. But, thats JUST ME!!!

I would try to get into a full fledged MFE/MSMF program.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

I try very hard to come up with a good analogy for this MSOR/MFE question but the best I can come up with is someone who buys an old model of BMW and puts on new parts to make it looks like the 2010 model.
At the end, people may not notice the difference but underneath, it's not the same. I'm not going to sugarcoat this whole thing.

If you really want to study MFE, then apply to one. If you get referred to MSOR, obviously they deem you unqualified for their MFE program. You can try reapply next year.
MSOR is NOT designed as a clone of MFE program. It may have great overlap but it is really designed for people who are interested in a career in operation research.

Recently questions about Columbia MSOR program make it look like Columbia should eliminate their MSOR program and double the size of their MFE.

 

[Sherlock]

Dear All, I have an issue I need to figure out. I was redirected from Columbia FE to Columbia MSOR (I need to respond with a paragraph why I would be interested to take it). Imagine I get it. Now comes the issue: which one is better if you want to persue a carreer in finance: Columbia MSOR or Cornell FE. I already got the admission from Cornell. (I will post my results in the tracker when I am done )

Here are my thoughts.

First about Columbia. I wanted FE more but it is irrelevant now. First it has the advantage of being in New York. However, this is not that big of a difference since Cornell's last semester is in NY as well. So why Columbia? I think it is juuuuuuuuuuuust a little bit more respected as a name. Both of them are Ivy League. Looking at the big picture Columbia is around 11th place and Cornell 15th. However, it is better to compare the programs not the schools as a whole. So I have no information about MSOR. I have read some stuff but not enough to have a clear oppinion. Let's say you go to Columbia MSOR. What are the perspectives in front of you? Do you have high chances of securing a summer internship in a well-respected company, and by well respected I mean top 10 (GS and company :D). This is only if you decided to finish the program in 3 semesters. And later on what are you chances of becoming an analyst/associate in one of these companies?

Cornell now. I really really like Cornell. I have read a lot about it for the past week and my oppinion is becoming better and better. It is Ivy League. It is respected. It offers great carreer services which I am not sure about Columbia MSOR. From what I have read they really do take care of their students. The people in the program both faculty and students seem to be very bright. They do help you find an internship. I have read that their placement stats were better than Columbia's around 2008/2009. Last semester in NY should be great. Also I have read that some people did their Senior Projects with GS, JP, Deutsche so Cornell really is well-respected.

To summarize, I really like Cornell and Columbia FE but now I need to think about MSOR. I particularly want to hold a position that would give me the opportunity to work with structurers and traders to model new exotic derivative products and trading strategies. Working with traders using models to analyze risk and develop opportunities in trading books for complex derivatives would enhance my understanding of what it is like to work in the front office. Sooner or later I would like to try traders position so I must aim for sales&trading. I am not sure if Columbia MSOR would head me in this direction. What do you think?

As a whole which program do you think is better ( I know they are different and hard to compare). Which one is more respected? Which one would help you more in securing a job? In the long term I know it is up to you to be successful but still now you should try to take the right decision and this is what I am trying to do.

I would kindly ask the people with experience to give me their piece of mind. Thank you in advance.

Good Luck to All.

 

[Penglu]

I would suggest to go to Cornell. 1. 5 year is about right to learn something and have an internship experience, while 1 year is just something on your resume without so much value. IMO

 

[Sherlock]

I believe Columbia MSOR can be extended to 3 semester as well ? And still you cannot call a MS from Columbia just something on yor resume without so much value ?

 

[Penglu]

I believe Columbia MSOR can be extended to 3 semester as well ? And still you cannot call a MS from Columbia just something on yor resume without so much value ?

Sorry man, I just got redirected. Feel not very happy about the school. That's it lol. You know, a lot of personal feeling involved. All financial engineering programs are excellent. That's why so many exceptionally good people pursue this degree. But everyone share different views on these top programs.

 

[tonylich]

Vote for Cornell 1.5 yr program. These two programs are job-oriented, so make it more flexible. If coming back to Asia, I do not see Columbia has advantage.

 

[Sherlock]

@Joy Pathak what do u think ?

Thanks in advance to all of you guys.

 

[Mayur Patel]

Cornell.

 

[zimingsk]

I heard Cornell has its last term in NY...if thats true then I would say Cornell....

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Cornell has its last (3rd) semester in NYC where they use a room in the same building as CMU at 55 Board Street. I went there couple months ago when I visited CMU. The facility is quite small compared to CMU. It's not a "campus" in any meaningful sense, just a small rental place that they use for classes and meeting.
That would mean you need to find housing in NYC after living in Ithaca for a year.