UGrad CS to MFE profile advice

[brijesh.hota]

Hi QuantNet,

I'm a recent grad from a 2nd tier Canadian university and currently work as Data Scientist for a pension fund (in their Quant Investment team). I'm hoping to stick around for 2-3 years and applying for a MFE program preferably in US. I want to enter into the Quant Finance industry through a MFE program as few of the portfolio managers we have also have MFEs (some PhDs and MBAs). But I don't know how to build my profile stronger, as I have only 3.5 ugpa from a Computer Science undergrad.

My profile after few years would look something like this:
- undergrad in CS, minor in Stats
- 3 years as Data Scientist (Quant Investment team) in pension fund
- 3.5 ugpa
- 4 co-op/internships in tech (total 1.4 years during school)

Are there some realistic ways I could work on to improve my profile? I'm aiming for schools like Baruch, Cornell, UChicago and CMU

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Get some relevant work experience, build some projects that relate to quantitative finance, either through work or side projects.
Build up your math background to meet the requirements, through local colleges or online like Baruch pre-MFE courses.
Get your Python/C++/database skills current either through courses or projects.
Learn more about the industry, different firms and roles. Target the roles you want and learn about the skillsets.
Deep research on programs to see which ones lead you there.
Apply.

 

[brijesh.hota]

I definitely want to target the Baruch, UChicago, GT, CMU and Cornell MFE programs. I've taken calc courses like Multivariate Calculus, Differential Equations and with my CS ugrad I've extensively worked on Systems Designs Paradigms with C++. I plan to work for 2-3 years as a Data Scientist (also get good referral from my few Portfolio Managers and QRs) and then apply for Pre-MFE courses which will give me refresher before facing the QBA.