COMPARE Stevens Institute of Technology MFE vs Fordham University MQF

[jim simmons]

Hey guys I have got stevens with 14k scholarship
And fordham with 25k scholarship
I want to work at an hedge fund or asset management
Which would you suggest as a better course and more learning
Both MSQF and MFE

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Put your timelines and profiles on the Tracker so we can assist you better. Thanks

 

[jim simmons]

Put your timelines and profiles on the Tracker so we can assist you better. Thanks

Hi Andy,I also wanted to thank you for working on this platform,it really helps us students really means a lot
I have to reply by March 20th
While I do love coding,I don’t look at myself as a quant developer,I wanted to do something which involves more usage of my knowledge of fundamental finance,I would want to use various arbitrage,relative value,macro strategies at a hedge fund.I enjoy correlating finance with economics too .I have pursued my CFA level 2 with a 90th percentile score rather than developing software for quant trading.I enjoy valuations, derivatives, asset, portfolio management.
I have received a admit from Fordham ,Rutgers and Stevens, after my scholarships both Stevens and Fordham will cost the same to me
Is fordham a semi target school

 

[blrichard]

Fordham may be a bit better? Although I imagine Rutgers may have the best name of the three. If I were in your shoes I'd be a bit partial to Fordham though, as they have some nice econometrics courses esp one with machine learning which is cool

 

[jim simmons]

Fordham may be a bit better? Although I imagine Rutgers may have the best name of the three. If I were in your shoes I'd be a bit partial to Fordham though, as they have some nice econometrics courses esp one with machine learning which is cool

thanks buddy

 

[lighnity]

Hello, I'm an international student, and between accepted programs, I decided to choose my graduate program between two: Stevens MFE and Fordham MSQF.

I know these are not top-tier universities for financial engineering, so I think their difference isn't that big, but I want to make my best decision between the two.

I'll write some pros and cons for both programs from my point of view.


Stevens

• Pros:
  • Good location: close to NYC
  • Strong Mathematical Background: This program's origin was in the math department
  • Good curriculum(curriculum): I can clearly see what they would teach and which professor will take the class
  • Flexibility: It's an engineering school, so I can take some ML courses too.
  • Peers: Their undergrad students from CS/QF come to get an acceleration MS program at MFE, so it would be good for networking.
  • Recent ranking: It has been into the T20 since 2022
• Cons:
  • History: Idk the reason why, but this program had low ranking at Quantnet. Lower than Fordham for years. Now it's #19 for two years.
  • Reputation: Maybe slightly lower reputation than Fordham in the finance industry?

Fordham

• Pros:
  • Good location: Classes are in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan.
  • Good curriculum
  • Flexibility: It's not engineering school, but I still have some electives options in Data Science/ML classes (But idk how much it would be deep)
  • Peers: According to Risk.net, Stevens's acceptance rate is 90%, but Fordham's is 47%. So, Fordham is more selective than Stevens.
  • History: This program's ranking was high a few years ago. In recent two years, it has become lower than Stevens.. but still, it doesn't change this program has great graduate alumni in the market
  • Reputation: Maybe slightly higher reputation than Stevens
• Cons:
  • Low Detail about curriculum: The curriculum structure is great(curriculum) but I don't know who will teach that. Their faculty number (faculty) looks not enough to cover all the curriculum. So it means adjunct professors would cover most curriculums? I'm not sure who is going to teach me
  • Recent ranking: It was in T20, but recently, it has been out of T20.
  • Program director changed multiple times: maybe it is a minor issue, but their program director changed two times in 5 years.

Thanks for reading this. I'll wait for your wise advice!

 

[MichaelLewis]

Hello, I'm an international student, and between accepted programs, I decided to choose my graduate program between two: Stevens MFE and Fordham MSQF.

I know these are not top-tier universities for financial engineering, so I think their difference isn't that big, but I want to make my best decision between the two.

I'll write some pros and cons for both programs from my point of view.


Stevens

• Pros:
  • Good location: close to NYC
  • Strong Mathematical Background: This program's origin was in the math department
  • Good curriculum(curriculum): I can clearly see what they would teach and which professor will take the class
  • Flexibility: It's an engineering school, so I can take some ML courses too.
  • Peers: Their undergrad students from CS/QF come to get an acceleration MS program at MFE, so it would be good for networking.
  • Recent ranking: It has been into the T20 since 2022
• Cons:
  • History: Idk the reason why, but this program had low ranking at Quantnet. Lower than Fordham for years. Now it's #19 for two years.
  • Reputation: Maybe slightly lower reputation than Fordham in the finance industry?

Fordham

• Pros:
  • Good location: Classes are in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan.
  • Good curriculum
  • Flexibility: It's not engineering school, but I still have some electives options in Data Science/ML classes (But idk how much it would be deep)
  • Peers: According to Risk.net, Stevens's acceptance rate is 90%, but Fordham's is 47%. So, Fordham is more selective than Stevens.
  • History: This program's ranking was high a few years ago. In recent two years, it has become lower than Stevens.. but still, it doesn't change this program has great graduate alumni in the market
  • Reputation: Maybe slightly higher reputation than Stevens
• Cons:
  • Low Detail about curriculum: The curriculum structure is great(curriculum) but I don't know who will teach that. Their faculty number (faculty) looks not enough to cover all the curriculum. So it means adjunct professors would cover most curriculums? I'm not sure who is going to teach me
  • Recent ranking: It was in T20, but recently, it has been out of T20.
  • Program director changed multiple times: maybe it is a minor issue, but their program director changed two times in 5 years.

Thanks for reading this. I'll wait for your wise advice!

The curriculum at Fordham is more MBA oriented than quant oriented.

I have an MBA and took more quantitative classes in that program than Fordham offers in their MSQF.

 

[Eric Kopen]

The curriculum at Fordham is more MBA oriented than quant oriented.

I have an MBA and took more quantitative classes in that program than Fordham offers in their MSQF.

Interesting, what sort of classes on the Fordham curriculum list look MBA oriented? Besides the intro courses that can be waived and the communication course obviously I was talking to some alumni who said the math was rigorous so curious on your perspective

 

[Eric Kopen]

Hello, I'm an international student, and between accepted programs, I decided to choose my graduate program between two: Stevens MFE and Fordham MSQF.

I know these are not top-tier universities for financial engineering, so I think their difference isn't that big, but I want to make my best decision between the two.

I'll write some pros and cons for both programs from my point of view.


Stevens

• Pros:
  • Good location: close to NYC
  • Strong Mathematical Background: This program's origin was in the math department
  • Good curriculum(curriculum): I can clearly see what they would teach and which professor will take the class
  • Flexibility: It's an engineering school, so I can take some ML courses too.
  • Peers: Their undergrad students from CS/QF come to get an acceleration MS program at MFE, so it would be good for networking.
  • Recent ranking: It has been into the T20 since 2022
• Cons:
  • History: Idk the reason why, but this program had low ranking at Quantnet. Lower than Fordham for years. Now it's #19 for two years.
  • Reputation: Maybe slightly lower reputation than Fordham in the finance industry?

Fordham

• Pros:
  • Good location: Classes are in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan.
  • Good curriculum
  • Flexibility: It's not engineering school, but I still have some electives options in Data Science/ML classes (But idk how much it would be deep)
  • Peers: According to Risk.net, Stevens's acceptance rate is 90%, but Fordham's is 47%. So, Fordham is more selective than Stevens.
  • History: This program's ranking was high a few years ago. In recent two years, it has become lower than Stevens.. but still, it doesn't change this program has great graduate alumni in the market
  • Reputation: Maybe slightly higher reputation than Stevens
• Cons:
  • Low Detail about curriculum: The curriculum structure is great(curriculum) but I don't know who will teach that. Their faculty number (faculty) looks not enough to cover all the curriculum. So it means adjunct professors would cover most curriculums? I'm not sure who is going to teach me
  • Recent ranking: It was in T20, but recently, it has been out of T20.
  • Program director changed multiple times: maybe it is a minor issue, but their program director changed two times in 5 years.

Thanks for reading this. I'll wait for your wise advice!

Also I’m flying to NYC to tour some campuses this week, I’ll probably stop by both Fordham and Stevens and try and meet with some people there. I see Fordham has an info sesh this April 18th for the MSQF students, they just sent a reminder email.

 

[lighnity]

Also I’m flying to NYC to tour some campuses this week, I’ll probably stop by both Fordham and Stevens and try and meet with some people there. I see Fordham has an info sesh this April 18th for the MSQF students, they just sent a reminder email.

I also talked to some Fordham alumni, and they said the same thing: math and statistics are pretty rigorous.
Maybe I worry too much? haha Fordham program's history is quite long

Are you going to enroll to the grad school too in NYC this fall?

 

[Eric Kopen]

I also talked to some Fordham alumni, and they said the same thing: math and statistics are pretty rigorous.
Maybe I worry too much? haha Fordham program's history is quite long

Are you going to enroll to the grad school too in NYC this fall?

I’m glad to hear you have gotten similar feedback! I have gotten into Fordham, Stevens, and the Univeristy of Minnesota (I’m from Minnesota so had to apply here!) and am waiting to hear back from others… however I am fairly certain I will pursue a school in NYC as I envision myself working there for a while as I start a career in quantitative finance.

 

[lighnity]

-

 

[lighnity]

I’m glad to hear you have gotten similar feedback! I have gotten into Fordham, Stevens, and the Univeristy of Minnesota (I’m from Minnesota so had to apply here!) and am waiting to hear back from others… however I am fairly certain I will pursue a school in NYC as I envision myself working there for a while as I start a career in quantitative finance.

Oh, congratulations on your acceptance to those universities! Yeah, I think staying in NYC would be really good for finding a job after graduation, especially in the finance industry. I talked with alumni from Stevens and Forham, and they all said location is quite important for getting internships and full-time offers.
So when are you going to decide? After touring the campus? or you already somehow made your mind?

 

[Eric Kopen]

Oh, congratulations on your acceptance to those universities! Yeah, I think staying in NYC would be really good for finding a job after graduation, especially in the finance industry. I talked with alumni from Stevens and Forham, and they all said location is quite important for getting internships and full-time offers.
So when are you going to decide? After touring the campus? or you already somehow made your mind?

thank you! Congrats to you as well. I think my deadline for deposit at Fordham is in early May so I will make up my mind then. I’m waiting to hear back from other universities, but if I don’t get in anywhere else then I’m almost certainly going to Fordham.

I think staying in Minnesota wouldn’t challenge me to grow professionally. And between Stevens and Fordham, I’ve had much better conversations and impressions from the Fordham team, got a $30k Fordham scholarship so it’s comparable costs, and I think that I will be able to give it my all there as a student and succeed as much as I can.

Of course this is contingent on confirming the course work is truly quantitative and rigorous and seeing how my visit goes!

 

[randomwalkpdf]

thank you! Congrats to you as well. I think my deadline for deposit at Fordham is in early May so I will make up my mind then. I’m waiting to hear back from other universities, but if I don’t get in anywhere else then I’m almost certainly going to Fordham.

I think staying in Minnesota wouldn’t challenge me to grow professionally. And between Stevens and Fordham, I’ve had much better conversations and impressions from the Fordham team, got a $30k Fordham scholarship so it’s comparable costs, and I think that I will be able to give it my all there as a student and succeed as much as I can.

Of course this is contingent on confirming the course work is truly quantitative and rigorous and seeing how my visit goes!

Hi Eric,

Are you going to swing by Stevens on the 20th? I'll be there. I'm interested in the Stevens MFE too.

 

[Eric Kopen]

Hi Eric,

Are you going to swing by Stevens on the 20th? I'll be there. I'm interested in the Stevens MFE too.

Hey, is there an event there that day? I should be able to drop by as I don’t leave NYC until the 21st.

 

[MichaelLewis]

Interesting, what sort of classes on the Fordham curriculum list look MBA oriented? Besides the intro courses that can be waived and the communication course obviously I was talking to some alumni who said the math was rigorous so curious on your perspective

Basics of Accounting
Basics of Economics
Basics of Finance
Finance Theory
Derivatives 1
Probability and Stats
Behavioral Finance
Alternative Investments

I took all these classes during an MBA and based on the course descriptions, the content in my MBA courses was more rigorous.

 

[Eric Kopen]

Basics of Accounting
Basics of Economics
Basics of Finance
Finance Theory
Derivatives 1
Probability and Stats
Behavioral Finance
Alternative Investments

I took all these classes during an MBA and based on the course descriptions, the content in my MBA courses was more rigorous.

Hmm, from what I understand, four of those are prerequistes to the program (Basics of Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Probability and Statistics) and you probably WOULD take those with MBA students... but I appreciate you adding that insight, will definitely need to further check with staff/alumni about the rigor of the other courses!

 

[MichaelLewis]

Basics of Accounting
Basics of Economics
Basics of Finance
Finance Theory
Derivatives 1
Probability and Stats
Behavioral Finance
Alternative Investments

I took all these classes during an MBA and based on the course descriptions, the content in my

Hmm, from what I understand, four of those are prerequistes to the program (Basics of Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Probability and Statistics) and you probably WOULD take those with MBA students... but I appreciate you adding that insight, will definitely need to further check with staff/alumni about the rigor of the other courses!

Ya, I don’t know anything about Fordham so take it with a grain of salt.

But these classes seem far less rigorous than most MFE programs. Maybe compare the courses from Fordham compared to other top 10 programs. They should be teaching similar concepts perhaps with some minor variations based on the strengths of the professors.