COMPARE Princeton University MFin vs Stanford University MCF

[Christopher]

Hi everyone,

I've been admitted to both masters in Princeton and Stanford and I was wondering if someone knowledgeable could give me a list of pros/cons that can help me choose between these 2 options. Thanks you very much

 

[Umnik]

Hi! Congratulations!
What would you like more - to study 1 year in California or 2 years near NY?

 

[Christopher]

Thanks, I'd be doing the program in Princeton in a year as well, so both programs will have equivalent lengths

 

[Umnik]

Also, am I interested, did you receive your Stanford offer by e-mail? (I have no response from them yet)

 

[Christopher]

Yes a few hours ago

 

[Umnik]

Hm... That means I'll see a rejection letter soon

 

[Will D]

Congratulations- those are some fantastic offers- you must be a very talented student. Can you share your profile and what kind of job you want to get down the road?

A quick $0.02: the Stanford program is probably more rigorous (since it's in the math department) but the Princeton program should have better recruiting. You should reach out to alums for their perspective- Fabulous Fab for one

 

[Christopher]

Thanks, I went through the french educational system with top ranking in France's top engineering school, doing a lot of high-level APplied Maths. For the moment I'm looking into a job in derivatives structuration. I'm starting an internship in the next few months.

The program appeals to me more in Princeton, although living in the San Francisco Bay area for a year sounds great (way better than a year in Princeton...) That's why I'm hesitating mostly! Basically I would like to know if someone has been through the Stanford program if the placement record is as good as Princeton's, how are the courses...

 

[Sherlock]

Princeton no doubt about it.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Keep in mind that Stanford program also includes coterminal undergraduates and PhD students in other departments. This results in much larger class size (40-50 students). Many of their graduates go on to PhD programs.

 

[lim]

Hi there!

I am deliberating between these few schools, and I am not sure which to pick.

I hope to pursue a career as a quant or a trader in the future; what are some thoughts on the programs?

 

[mhy]

Go to Princeton - you won't regret it

 

[lim]

I actually go to school in New York.. so I thought a change of environment would be nice...

 

[Khorge]

Go to Princeton - its by FAR the best program of the three.

 

[mhy]

If that's what you want, fine. But Princeton >>> Stanford/LSE for jobs, reputation, everything.

 

[TehRaio]

I actually go to school in New York.. so I thought a change of environment would be nice...

where do you want to live and work primarily?

These 3 choices are outstanding so it's really a matter of preference. You shouldn't just pick a school because it's the most prestigious, you want to make the best of your time there, sometimes the environment and the lifestyle are a big factor in your success.

if you don't care about working in Europe then LSE might be a bit too far from your present location. Also, you might want to tell us a bit more about yourself, it will help us provide comments that are actually useful.

 

[IntoDarkness]

where do you want to live and work primarily?

These 3 choices are outstanding so it's really a matter of preference. You shouldn't just pick a school because it's the most prestigious, you want to make the best of your time there, sometimes the environment and the lifestyle are a big factor in your success.

if you don't care about working in Europe then LSE might be a bit too far from your present location. Also, you might want to tell us a bit more about yourself, it will help us provide comments that are actually useful.

this is bs. dont listen to it

 

[TehRaio]

Not necessarily.
Stanford is not a highly rated program judging by quantnet ranking. Regarding LSU, I would also like to know if OP sent an application to their Msc in Financial mathematics.
I'm interested in knowing if there are any particular reasons why the OP can't decide between Princeton and the rest (which is an easy choice to make for many).
Now if there are none then the choice is obvious and it's a shorter travel too.

 

[lim]

Not necessarily.
Stanford is not a highly rated program judging by quantnet ranking. Regarding LSU, I would also like to know if OP sent an application to their Msc in Financial mathematics.
I'm interested in knowing if there are any particular reasons why the OP can't decide between Princeton and the rest (which is an easy choice to make for many).
Now if there are none then the choice is obvious and it's a shorter travel too.

Oh.. no no traveling distance isn't my main concern. I am an international student and go to college in New York. I am inclining towards being a quant/trader but since I have not had much internship/work experience, I am not sure if that is what I want to do in the finance industry.

I wanted to go to Stanford because of its programming element. I am a Math and Economics major, but I lack programming skills, so I thought going to Stanford might be a good complement. However, the program is new and not as recognized.

LSE is great as a location and a nice change of environment, but I heard the Stats department isn't that good. I did applied for the Financial Mathematics program but that was my second choice and my essay was not geared towards that, so naturally I did not get in.

I also did got into Cambridge's Mphil Finance, which gives me another alternative school if I want to go to the UK.

Princeton's program is by far the most established, but it is too near New York. So.. those are my considerations. I'm guessing Princeton would be a natural choice for others.

The ideal situation would be Princeton quality program located in a different environment, hence my dilemma.

 

[lim]

Okay.. so here are my offers - I managed to get places in MIT Finance, Princeton Finance, Stanford Mathematical and Computational Finance, LSE Risk and Stochastic and Cambridge Mphil Finance. I might have eliminated MIT and Cambridge initially, but here are my options, so that perhaps more advice might come in too. Thank you for all the advice I really appreciate!!