COMPARE UCB MFE vs Columbia University MFE

[Rohittttt]

I think you may contact the Office of Graduate Student Affairs at (212) 854-6438, as mentioned in the offer letter.

Thank you!

 

[TrueStoryBro]

Hello, I am a fresh undergrad just as you and I've received a recommendation for admission last friday for UCB. I've chosen to go there and rank it above all other programs I was admitted to for 1000 reasons. Let me share to you how I considered every aspect. California is an amazing place to live and I have no doubt it is the reason why so many people stay there and don't go to cloudy NY. Plus, there is no other MFE placing 9 students out of 60 at Morgan Stanley for instance which is amazing. When it comes to numbers, there is no rivalry for UCB. In addition, Shaghai rankings, graduate school rankings, quantnet rankings (if they mean something) will confirm those numbers.
Other point that may interest you, I have a bunch of friends enrolled at Columbia MFE and the majority of them were not able to find summer internship in IB because they lack professional experience (0 internship btw). The fact that UCB MFE starts in march is outstanding, you can do a 6 month off-cycle internship and... have the time to learn Hull's book by heart.
The career services seem absolutely amazing. Long story short, I had an issue with my application (it was sent to the MBA division by mistake), I contacted them and the discussions (and refund!!) were very smooth and straighforward.
I think I would get the same "WOW" from my friends when I say I go to Berkeley or Columbia, but I'm confident to say I'll enroll UCB next year

 

[MartinTo]

Hello!
I have an admission offer from Columbia Financial Engineering program at this moment and am waiting for the UCB to answer before the Columbia payment deadline. Considering that I, probably, won't have much time after I get the decision I would like to understand which program is better in my case.
I have bachelor's and master's degrees in Economics in a little country in Caucasus with GPAs 3.8-3.9. I also have three years of job experience as a Financial Broker(I am still 24 though ), 2 levels of CFA cleared. I have a decent knowledge and experience with Python and R(including also ML and DL ) and good knowledge of maths with up to Calc 3, Stochastic processes, Statistics, ODE.
If I understand right from previous threads that are pretty old, the main advantage of UCB was career placement. However, I'm afraid that with bigger cohort size in last years, there might be a downgrade in this process. While on the other side Columbia MFE has more rigorous and industry oriented curriculum with not bad at all career services.
Will appreciate any help, especially from current students and alumni of these programs.

 

[MartinTo]

Up.

 

[ThewolfJD]

Hi, if you don´t mind could you tell us if you got interviewed at UCB?

 

[MartinTo]

I applied fir UCB last year too and was waitlisted after I was interviewed twice. So, probably, I'll get the decision without an interview this time.

 

[MartinTo]

Actually, voting didn't make it any easier.
If you can, please elaborate a little about the reasons why you choose one or the other.

 

[mez]

up

 

[mez]

anyone would like to elaborate?

 

[mez]

I see people are voting Columbia, but why, could someone please let us know

 

[quanthopefully]

Berkeley has a much better careers service (from what ive heard) and so placement and starting salaries are slightly better. Columbia benefits from being in NYC. Both are fantastic but I would go with Berkeley

 

[omd]

Hi,

I am a 4th year undergrad at UCB studying Applied Math and Econ. I got offers from UCB and Columbia's MFE programs, had my interview with MIT rescheduled for this week, and have not gotten interview requests from CMU or Princeton yet, so I assume the latter two I am not getting into. I have interests in ML and algo trading so I would prefer to end up on the buy-side as a quant trader/researcher at a top prop shop or hedge fund (Two Sigma, Citadel, HRT, Jane Street, Optiver, etc.) rather than quant work at a big bank. I am trying to decide between my above options and am heavily leaning toward UCB at the moment due to the small cohort, emphasis on tech that can allow me to do DS in case quant doesn't work out, and the top-notch career services provided (I hear considerably better than Columbia, Princeton, MIT, and CMU). My only reservations are that I spent 4 years at Berkeley and it might be best to explore another environment, perhaps one closer to NYC to help with recruitment due to proximity. Also, the start date being in March means I would likely take on a part-time job or internship in the fall and then enter the workforce later than other programs. In examining Columbia's program, my initial takeaway was that it had a more flexible curriculum w/ more ML and DL than UCB but far worse placement in my desired industry (prop trading). I would love to know what you all think about my options given my desire to go into quant trading at a big shop. And despite it being a long shot given I haven't gotten an interview yet, would Princeton or CMU offer better career placement in this industry or even MIT? I've heard bad things about MIT's program due to shoddy career services but the prestige of the school is undeniable. Thanks!

 

[Skylime]

Hi Omd,

I am not too familiar with the US prop trading scene so pls take my opinion with a grain of salt.
I think both programs are pretty strong academically. Given that you already have a degree from UCB, I'd suggest Columbia for the masters since it improves your educational diversity and gives you access to a large pool of Columbia alumni networks.
I think UCB undergrad + master would open up the same prop trading opportunities as the UCB + Columbia combo. Once the interview starts, it's your own intellect, knowledge, and experiences that matter.

Disclaimer: i'm a quant dev from a regional prop trading shop in APAC region, I find getting interviews from top firms aren't difficult.

 

[Qui-Gon]

Go to Berkeley. The culture Linda has set up is unmistakable (even though she is leaving, the culture isn’t going to go away). Watch this interview (if you haven’t already): An interview with Linda Kreitzman and Dan Stefanica

Columbia and Berkeley’s MFEs are on par with one another in terms of coursework and reputation, but honestly, the culture of Berkeley’s program makes me a bit upset I did not apply there.

Congratulations on your admits.

 

[kerryvin]

Go to Berkeley. The culture Linda has set up is unmistakable (even though she is leaving, the culture isn’t going to go away). Watch this interview (if you haven’t already): An interview with Linda Kreitzman and Dan Stefanica

Columbia and Berkeley’s MFEs are on par with one another in terms of coursework and reputation, but honestly, the culture of Berkeley’s program makes me a bit upset I did not apply there.

Congratulations on your admits.

Hi Qui-Gon,

Would you mind sharing some insights regarding Linda leaving the UCB MFE program?

Thanks in advance

 

[Qui-Gon]

Hi Qui-Gon,

Would you mind sharing some insights regarding Linda leaving the UCB MFE program?

Thanks in advance

I don't have any insights. Watch this interview An interview with Linda Kreitzman and Dan Stefanica -- Linda briefly discusses that she will be stepping down (at the 59-minute mark).

 

[kerryvin]

I don't have any insights. Watch this interview An interview with Linda Kreitzman and Dan Stefanica -- Linda briefly discusses that she will be stepping down (at the 59-minute mark).

Thanks for sharing!

 

[mez]

Hi Qui-Gon,

Would you mind sharing some insights regarding Linda leaving the UCB MFE program?

Thanks in advance

I think she already left, what an amazing person, I was just talkin about how amazing she is to a friend yesterday.