Stanford MCF vs EPFL MFE
- Thread starter nlgh
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Think of it this way. Most of your tuition goes into paying for the F1 visa, which allows you to work in the US for 3 years subsequent to graduation.
Studying a MFE is not really about the lectures or the coursework. It's about getting a job in your geography of preference. And there's relatively little chance you can land a good job in the states graduating from Switzerland.
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Where do you want to work? MCF is a better program, two years long and rigorous- despite what @bootstrap says you will learn a ton. It is not like most MFE's, it only sorta fits into that mold, their graduates often go into Ph.D. programs. It is an academically elite program with a very applied focus.
I believe EPFL has a full semester for a required project - so even less courses- it is great if you want to work with a company nearby but not if you want to end up in the US.
I believe EPFL has a full semester for a required project - so even less courses- it is great if you want to work with a company nearby but not if you want to end up in the US.
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EPFL has some incredible professors. If you are doing research under say a Damir Filopovic and have potential to stay on for a PhD from Swiss Finance/EPFL, I would go with living and learning in Switzerland. You will get your opportunities for work in Switzerland, German, London, NYC, Hong Kong.
Stanford is not really in a finance ecocluster, but if your goal is something in VC or in emerging firms/startup in FE software, etc, then Standord could be a good choice.
NYC city dominates so about 1000 of the 1500 or so slots for seats in FE programs are within 100 miles of Manhattan. If possible, you should be in NY metro region, whether US or Foreign students. It is likely where you will have greatest opportunity for work, followed by Chicago and fewer in other markets at the salary level a good new quant can command in NYC, now approaching $300k for top tier students out of top tier programs.
Stanford is not really in a finance ecocluster, but if your goal is something in VC or in emerging firms/startup in FE software, etc, then Standord could be a good choice.
NYC city dominates so about 1000 of the 1500 or so slots for seats in FE programs are within 100 miles of Manhattan. If possible, you should be in NY metro region, whether US or Foreign students. It is likely where you will have greatest opportunity for work, followed by Chicago and fewer in other markets at the salary level a good new quant can command in NYC, now approaching $300k for top tier students out of top tier programs.
