COMPARE NYU MS in Mathematics in Finance vs Columbia University MAFN

[DJC]

I'm trying to become a quant trader eventually in buy-side or trading strategist in sell-side.

I got accepted into those two programs as part-time (currently working as full-time in bank), which program should I choose? (I live closer to NYU so distance wise NYU is preferable. Thanks!

 

[CN Chen]

If you have any questions about the NYU program as part-time, feel free to PM me. Unfortunately, I don't know all that much about Columbia's Math Finance program, so I can't say one is better than the other for your situation.

 

[DJC]

Thank Chen!

 

[jsim]

How are these two viewed in the job market?
They both don't show much information about placement..
Thanks in advance!

 

[rnvpx]

Columbia MAFN doesn't know anything about its students' placement info. No one talks to the director, so they feel no obligation to tell him. Last year was tough for the class of 2015 but previous years, most students got market risk jobs and the top kids got strats jobs at investment banks.

 

[jsim]

Columbia MAFN doesn't know anything about its students' placement info. No one talks to the director, so they feel no obligation to tell him. Last year was tough for the class of 2015 but previous years, most students got market risk jobs and the top kids got strats jobs at investment banks.

Thanks for the info! Do you know anything about NYU MathFin?

 

[pingu]

Thanks for the info! Do you know anything about NYU MathFin?

NYU Math Finance out of Courant is one of the original programs that started this trend in the US. It's very well known and has had an outstanding reputation.

Columbia MAFN is like three rungs below out of the Columbia programs (I lost count how many are out there).

 

[Junkai Yang]

COURANT definitely prevails.

 

[KevinR]

Do you guys think the MAFN is a waste of time?

 

[pingu]

Do you guys think the MAFN is a waste of time?

Do you have any other option?

 

[KevinR]

Do you have any other option?

work an average paying job in the homeland lol

 

[jsim]

Do you have any other option?

How's MAFN compared to Columbia MSOR?

 

[pingu]

work an average paying job in the homeland lol

come to US and make the most out of it.

 

[KevinR]

come to US and make the most out of it.

lol for some reason, that actually made me feel a whole lot better. thanks

 

[AlphaBC]

I would work for a few years then do a US MBA.

 

[rnvpx]

How's MAFN compared to Columbia MSOR?

MFE>MAFN>OR>Stats
Not sure where MSFE fits in, probably at the MAFN level (slightly higher or lower who knows). But mafn is not as bad as you think. most of us end up with 80-90k jobs, altho it's not easy, nor at the top investment banks. in the end with a program like mafn where there is zero career support from the program, you will be fine if you have the talent. you'll get the interviews

 

[AlphaBC]

You will get interviews for risk, maybe strats. Top jobs are reserved for undergrads and MBAs here.

 

[Levine Push]

Hello everyone. I just received NYU MSMF unofficial admission. I have received offer from Columbia MAFN before as well and I want to choose between these two programs. Can anyone give some information about these two programs regarding the placement status? Since I am an international student I would also like to have some info about the reputation of NYU outside USA, like HK and China. Thanks for any helps.

 

[volmacro]

I work full-time and am considering applying to the same 2 programs to study part-time. My impression is the following:

NYU Pros:
-great curriculum
-good experienced mix of professors and practitioners
-smaller program with better career support, but you still need to take your own initiative
-better location (at least for part-time, perhaps less so for full-time).

NYU Cons:
-weaker on computing, do any firms really still use Java?
-slightly weaker name recognition, brand, possible Tandon MFE dilution


Columbia Pros:
-Ivy League brand
-bigger alumni network (those hundreds of graduates from MFE, MSOR, MAFN actually mean there are many more people out there in industry).
-perhaps location for full-time. Think the central campus is nicer.
-option to finish in 1 year if you want

Columbia Cons:
-also weak on computing instruction
-curriculum less structured and cohesive
-little to no career support; you basically have to take initiative on this

If I had to choose for full-time and I don't have a reputable undergrad, I think I would end up choosing Columbia just to get an Ivy League degree. If I already have a decent undergrad, I would just go with NYU for the better program. Don't think either one publishes full placement stats. I think on average NYU would place a little better just because of size.

 

[AlphaBC]

Curious why people with full time jobs apply for these programs. Is it because people in your group have advanced degrees or hoping to get a better job out of it?