COMPARE NYU Tandon MFE vs Fordham University MQF

[CrazyRussian]

Hello all,

I'm trying to decide between NYU-Poly and Fordham's MSQF program.
Here is the situation. Both are offering scholarships. But fordham added a GA-ship to the deal.
Does anyone know how these two programs compare? It seems it is very difficult to obtain stats/facts about either program.

From a pure program prospective, Poly has a much more flexible program with a richer selection of courses. But judging from previous posts, teaching and job prospects are poor. Can anyone affirm or disprove this? (By the way, does anyone know how big the classes are at Poly?)
Obviously, this wide selection comes as the expense of people having to fight for the most popular classes. At fordham, everyone just takes the same stuff, so no registration stress.

Secondly, the GA-ship at fordham seems like a good opportunity to gain some research experience, and networking with professors. I just don't know how valuable GA-ships are to Wall St. firms/hedge funds.

Thanks for your replies in advance

 

[Andy Nguyen]

I don't think anyone would be able to compare the programs vis-a-vis since nobody graduated from both. Everything is pretty much hearsay when it comes to these less mentioned programs. In a sense, you are throwing darts in the dark here.
My advice would be to get as much info as you can from both program's administrators. The internship/placement stats are best obtained from the program, not through some 3rd parties.

The ability to ask/answer tough questions are valued so you should exercise your rights as a paying student now.

My understanding of both programs is that they are not where they want to be yet. It will get tougher before it gets easier so be mindful of the shortcomings. Many students find it challenging in a program dominated by fresh graduates from China/India as is often the cases in some MFE programs.

 

[onthesc]

Have you try talking to students at both programs? Also search on LinkedIn to see what some alumni from the programs are doing.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

@Richard Phu is a current student at Fordham and he is pretty helpful with specific questions about his program. Just do your homework and ask good questions and you shall get your answer.

 

[DominiConnor]

As you will read elsewhere I've heard very bad things about Fordham, and they never responded to any of my questions in order to explain themselves.

 

[CrazyRussian]

yes, Richard Phu did give very informative answers. It is partly due to his answers that I am having a difficult time deciding.
My searched in LinkedIn were not very fruitful. There are very few people on there from either school that have any jobs.
Two former students from MSQF found good positions at some foreign banks. I only saw one person from Poly w. a job, and that was a sales position. I think the sample size is too small for me to make a judgement based on this.

 

[Paul Mithouard]

@CrazyRussian,

Have you considered reapplying next year. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you did not land your dream MFE program this year.
Giving it another try next year, with better credentials, definitely is an option.

Paul

 

[Andy Nguyen]

My searched in LinkedIn were not very fruitful. There are very few people on there from either school that have any jobs.
Two former students from MSQF found good positions at some foreign banks. I only saw one person from Poly w. a job, and that was a sales position. I think the sample size is too small for me to make a judgement based on this.

Your search skill is not at the ninja level yet.
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1159407&mostPopular=&trk=tyah
From any of this contact, there is a spiderweb of contact that should allow you to reach almost any target.

 

[CrazyRussian]

Yes, but joining that group requires approval. Since I am not an alumnus, that might not be so easy... lol

 

[Andy Nguyen]

You don't need to join that group to send the members a message.

 

[ronaldy]

Hey guys,

I just would like to know, what do people think about this program?
I heard a few bad things about the Poly FE program like, it has a ton of international students who don't well represent the school, classes are awfully taught, the job placement is sub-par, and can't even be compared to that from other top programs.

I've seen some old posts about this but have those two programs improved over the years?
Do graduates from these programs have good shot at working for top banks?

 

[Philip_Mitterrand]

You are closer to the truth. Stay clear of second rate programs, they dont offer any value in terms of teaching, jobs nor quality of peers maybe an expection here & there. If the class size is more than 30 that's good enough reason to be cynical about the program as its a clear indication that the program director cares more about getting as many bums on the seat than having a well filtered lot where it resembles some form of bespoke quality.

Hey guys,

I just would like to know, what do people think about this program?
I heard a few bad things about the Poly FE program like, it has a ton of international students who don't well represent the school, classes are awfully taught, the job placement is sub-par, and can't even be compared to that from other top programs.

I've seen some old posts about this but have those two programs improved over the years?
Do graduates from these programs have good shot at working for top banks?

 

[MartinOvie]

Peter Carr is working on changing all that.

 

[DamienKYC]

Hi everyone, so I got admitted to the MFE at NYU Tandon and also got an interview invitation to Fordham MSQF. Just wondering if anyone may help provide some comparison of the pros and cons of these two programs and if I should do the interview for Fordham? Appreciate all thoughts and advice, thanks so much!

 

[Philip_Mitterrand]

Fordham MSQF is dogshit. They need to hire quality faculty not find guinea pigs for irrelevant program. I would take the money and go on a world trip.

Hi everyone, so I got admitted to the MFE at NYU Tandon and also got an interview invitation to Fordham MSQF. Just wondering if anyone may help provide some comparison of the pros and cons of these two programs and if I should do the interview for Fordham? Appreciate all thoughts and advice, thanks so much!

 

[DamienKYC]

Fordham MSQF is dogshit. They need to hire quality faculty not find guinea pigs for irrelevant program. I would take the money and go on a world trip.

Thanks Philip! Also, wondering if you have studied at Fordham or know someone who has experiences with the program? What you think about the Program at NYU Tandon then?

 

[Philip_Mitterrand]

I haven't but linkedin could be good source. Open any standard Quant finance textbooks and if you can't find few names from the reference sections in the faculty lineup good enough reason to give the program a miss. $6oK is a too high price to not listen from the horse's mouth.

Thanks Philip! Also, wondering if you
have studied at Fordham or know someone who has experiences with the program? What you think about the Program at NYU Tandon then?

 

[Sara NYU Tandon MSFE Placement]

Hello @DamienKYC - We're hosting an informational webinar tomorrow with further insight into the NYU Tandon MSFE. If you're an applicant, you likely already received the information for the event; however, if you did not receive the invite and would like to join the webinar, please contact me at sara.tomeo@nyu.edu and I can provide you with the details.

 

[DamienKYC]

Hello @DamienKYC - We're hosting an informational webinar tomorrow with further insight into the NYU Tandon MSFE. If you're an applicant, you likely already received the information for the event; however, if you did not receive the invite and would like to join the webinar, please contact me at sara.tomeo@nyu.edu and I can provide you with the details.

Hi Sara, I registered for the event already, thank you so much for the info!

 

[diwei shi]

I heard Tandon is admitting excessive numbers of applicants. Assumingly, the class size would be huge so I wonder what kind of T/S ratio that would be...