I'm sorry if this has already been discussed before. But for Fall 2004, do you think it is easier to get into Columbia FE or Math Finance? I am applying straight from undergrad. 3.3 GPA, GRE 800 quant, 740 verbal, 5.0 writing. double major in Management Engineering and Economics-Honors.

QuoteOriginally posted by: krystle920I'm sorry if this has already been discussed before. But for Fall 2004, do you think it is easier to get into Columbia FE or Math Finance? I am applying straight from undergrad. 3.3 GPA, GRE 800 quant, 740 verbal, 5.0 writing. double major in Management Engineering and Economics-Honors.Your GPA is terrible, so I'd say look into a community college program.

Historically, math finance was more difficult. A couple of years back, math finance accepted in the neighborhood of 10-15%, while FE was closer to 20-25%. But math finance has been growing in size, whereas FE was always large - this may be narrowing the gap (no idea). Also, FE might be more attractive now that both Derman is officially there and they have somewhat revamped the program structure. Not sure how these things will impact the relative difficulty going forward, but as I said 2 years ago math finance was tougher.FE also has more students with no experience, whereas math finance has a number of people that pursue the degree while working during the day. So it's an overall slightly older crowd in math finance (by a couple of years), or at least was a few years back.

QuoteOriginally posted by: BeavisQuoteOriginally posted by: krystle920I'm sorry if this has already been discussed before. But for Fall 2004, do you think it is easier to get into Columbia FE or Math Finance? I am applying straight from undergrad. 3.3 GPA, GRE 800 quant, 740 verbal, 5.0 writing. double major in Management Engineering and Economics-Honors.Your GPA is terrible, so I'd say look into a community college program.While this opinion may be slightly exaggerated, it is certainly warranted, 3.3 is a bit on the low side. If you have trouble getting into the top tier schools, you may want to look at Baruch College's Math Fin program, also in NYC. I went there undergrad and the math faculty is, though not well-known, is quite good.

QuoteOriginally posted by: hazeriderQuoteOriginally posted by: BeavisQuoteOriginally posted by: krystle920I'm sorry if this has already been discussed before. But for Fall 2004, do you think it is easier to get into Columbia FE or Math Finance? I am applying straight from undergrad. 3.3 GPA, GRE 800 quant, 740 verbal, 5.0 writing. double major in Management Engineering and Economics-Honors.Your GPA is terrible, so I'd say look into a community college program.While this opinion may be slightly exaggerated, it is certainly warranted, 3.3 is a bit on the low side. If you have trouble getting into the top tier schools, you may want to look at Baruch College's Math Fin program, also in NYC. I went there undergrad and the math faculty is, though not well-known, is quite good.I am starting my MS FinMath at Baruch Collge this Fall and having visited the school, I concur with your assessment of the caliber of its faculty (half of which graduated from NYU Courant PhD program). Morever, the program is very well put together, the courses follow a logical progression and are not being shared with other programs. Only FinMath students are allowed in these courses (i.e. you will not have Baruch MBA Finance students as classmates)BTW Would love to get in touch with anyone who's part of Baruch's FinMath program (please PM me).

I don't know if anyone is still reading this, but I'm a CU MathFin grad and would say that the Mathfin is still more difficult to get into. I graduated last May and the acceptence rate was a little less than 10%. However, Mathfinance is correct in saying that with Derman now a part of the faculty, the FE program might have more of a draw (both are very similar, but Mathfinance focuses more on Stochastics). In terms of your GPA, that is certainly a key factor, but not the only one. I myself had a low GPA and was accepted to the program. Experience helps a lot. Also, if you are in the NYC area, dropping in and introducing yourself to Prof. Smirnov and making a case for yourself can be beneficial. Just don't tell him I told you to.

Just a quick reply I have been admitted to CU Math-Fin program and not accepted to CU FE program I don't know if it helps you

Krystal,I had a 3.3 undergrad in EE and a quant GRE score of 800.I got into CMU MSCF, Chicago MBA, and Columbia MBAwith those scores. What is more important is how you did in your math/engineering/physics classes, than you roverall GPA. Also three semestersI worked which tanked my GPA. A good freind of mine got into Columbia Math Finance with scoressimilar to you, but had a lot of work experience. Make a case for yourself with Prof. Smirnov.

I did not apply to Columbia MathFin anymore since the consensus seems to be that it's harder to get into and students would generally have work experience. I applied to Princeton Finance, Columbia FE, NYU MathFin, and USC MathFin. So far I've only heard from Princeton - rejected. A lot of people seem to have gotten their acceptances already from Columbia FE but I haven't heard from them yet so I'm assuming I got rejected. Things are not looking up. What alternatives do I have?

My friend didnt get acceptance to Columbia MathFin till mid-May.

I'm sorry if this has already been discussed before. But for Fall 2004, do you think it is easier to get into Columbia FE or Math Finance? I am applying straight from undergrad. 3.3 GPA, GRE 800 quant, 740 verbal, 5.0 writing. double major in Management Engineering and Economics-Honors.My daughter went through this last year and wasn't accepted at CU until May. It's harder to get into many these programs if you're just out of undergrad, but I think you still have a good shot. Caution: Since most of the students in these programs have work experience and/or MBAs/PhDs, the learning curve for folks just out of undergraduate school is extremelyhigh.

Did you asked Columbia Univ about the decision......QuoteOriginally posted by: krystle920I did not apply to Columbia MathFin anymore since the consensus seems to be that it's harder to get into and students would generally have work experience. I applied to Princeton Finance, Columbia FE, NYU MathFin, and USC MathFin. So far I've only heard from Princeton - rejected. A lot of people seem to have gotten their acceptances already from Columbia FE but I haven't heard from them yet so I'm assuming I got rejected. Things are not looking up. What alternatives do I have?

I got rejected at Princeton and... USC! I still haven't heard from NYU and Columbia..

I just received an acceptance from the Columbia MFE program a few days ago. Don't despair yet, I suspect they are still reviewing or re-reviewing applications based on the yield from the "first round" of admits....