COMPARE UCLA MFE vs NCSU MFM

[saikartheek]

Hi guys,
I got admitted to North Carolina State University (NCSU) MFM and UCLA MFE programs. I am having a hard time deciding which one to choose. NCSU has recently been going up the ranks in the Quantnet rankings, while UCLA has been going down year over year.
Any help from the community would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[John Chan]

If you are looking for a quantitative experience then definitely NCSU. UCLA mfe is based on a business school. Many graduates reflect that the degree feels like a variation of an MBA. Also, career placement stats haven't been so pretty since 2018.

 

[doubleohseven]

Hi guys,
I got admitted to North Carolina State University (NCSU) MFM and UCLA MFE programs. I am having a hard time deciding which one to choose. NCSU has recently been going up the ranks in the Quantnet rankings, while UCLA has been going down year over year.
Any help from the community would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

How was your admission from NCSU worded? I got a notification today that I have been recommended for admission pending a final review, which I am assuming means I was accepted. Wondering if yours looked the same

 

[saikartheek]

How was your admission from NCSU worded? I got a notification today that I have been recommended for admission pending a final review, which I am assuming means I was accepted. Wondering if yours looked the same

Hi, sorry for the late reply. Yes it was the same for me.

 

[saikartheek]

If you are looking for a quantitative experience then definitely NCSU. UCLA mfe is based on a business school. Many graduates reflect that the degree feels like a variation of an MBA. Also, career placement stats haven't been so pretty since 2018

Thank you, John

 

[Sicong Gao]

Background:
1. I started to take certs last November. I took 2 pre-MFE seminars (NLA, AC-FE) from Baruch, and the C++ course over the previous 6 months
2. Signed a 6-month intern contract with one of the top crypto CEX on their future business groups (can't disclose the name), commencing this May.

UCLA
Pros: 1. School title

2. alum?​

Cons: 1. weak curriculum (tbh I don't think the curriculum they offered can be considered as a FE program),

2. location (not sure if the West Coast is an ideal place for a quant)​

NCSU
Pros: Employment data
Cons: School title

Options I have:
A. Join either UCLA or NCSU (Personally prefer NCSU)

​

B. Reapply for next year

1. Stronger profile this year? (with the cert I took over the past 6 months, and the working experience)​

2. Did not put much time into school courses, bad GPA performance on stage 4 (don't think my school course can help me build useful knowledge in my career anyway, courses are not selectable)​

​

C. See where this intern leads me

Pros: 1. Potential opportunity to transition into a full-time role​

2. Remote work (flexibility)​

3. I do love cryptos and blockchain tech, really excited for this working experience​

Cons: 1. Not A QUANT ROLE, not sure if this can add any value as I aim to break into the quant industry. If you have read the Flash Boys, I think my group is more like Schwall's role? business-oriented (if this is the right term)​

2. Read a thread the other day saying that this kind of working experience does not add value, because the working culture is so distinctly different (not sure if this is a valid point)​

​

D. Join one of the programs and reapply for next year


I appreciate all the valuable advice and opinions given!
Thank you for your time.

 

[tpnv]

Background:
1. I started to take certs last November. I took 2 pre-MFE seminars (NLA, AC-FE) from Baruch, and the C++ course over the previous 6 months
2. Signed a 6-month intern contract with one of the top crypto CEX on their future business groups (can't disclose the name), commencing this May.

UCLA
Pros: 1. School title

2. alum?​

Cons: 1. weak curriculum (tbh I don't think the curriculum they offered can be considered as a FE program),

2. location (not sure if the West Coast is an ideal place for a quant)​

NCSU
Pros: Employment data
Cons: School title

Options I have:
A. Join either UCLA or NCSU (Personally prefer NCSU)

​

B. Reapply for next year

1. Stronger profile this year? (with the cert I took over the past 6 months, and the working experience)​

2. Did not put much time into school courses, bad GPA performance on stage 4 (don't think my school course can help me build useful knowledge in my career anyway, courses are not selectable)​

​

C. See where this intern leads me

Pros: 1. Potential opportunity to transition into a full-time role​

2. Remote work (flexibility)​

3. I do love cryptos and blockchain tech, really excited for this working experience​

Cons: 1. Not A QUANT ROLE, not sure if this can add any value as I aim to break into the quant industry. If you have read the Flash Boys, I think my group is more like Schwall's role? business-oriented (if this is the right term)​

2. Read a thread the other day saying that this kind of working experience does not add value, because the working culture is so distinctly different (not sure if this is a valid point)​

​

D. Join one of the programs and reapply for next year


I appreciate all the valuable advice and opinions given!
Thank you for your time.

I don’t think NCSU is bad for school title, it is well known in the tech/consulting based company around research triangle area and east coast. It is definitely not a pretty name like Ivy but the name NCSU is not cons at all.

UCLA is recognizable in SoCal but their MSBA and USC MSBA are more well known and prestigious comparing to both school MFE. However the MFE has a strong alumni network and can give slight favoritism in interview which I would say is advantage especially if you are from either UCLA or USC for local company (definitely not quant/market maker but more on trading alt) or model validator for local bank. Bigger name like Capital Group does hire from UCLA but their focus is more toward MSBA or CS undergrad.

If you just score finance role then NCSU is better choice imo, not sure what the hiring outcome of this year but they seems to have good stats last couple year as evidence. But if you are more hardcore quant focus then I would say re-apply next year with school like CMU, Princeton, big name one for better chance.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

@Sicong Gao
If you plan to reapply next year, my advice would be to investigate why you didn't get into your top choices this year. The answers will help you redirect your time and effort in the right direction.
If it's the lower GPA (3.43), it can be overcome as showed by @Leggoo MFE experience getting into U Chicago MSFM with a 2.9 GPA.
If it's your SOP, LoR, interviews, etc then they can be improved significantly by working with coaches or advisors.
I saw that you got interviews from Baruch and Chicago but didn't convert. You certainly can prepare and do better.

Ultimately, if you want to work and reapply, it's not a bad choice. It gives you some relevant work experience and a better focus on what you want as a career.
If you decide to take NCSU, it can be a good launch into a career in risk management at a regional bank in Charlotte. Lot of graduates from other programs end up in Charlotte as well so it can't be that bad.