QuoteOriginally posted by: BeavisAttention all:Berkeley's program is now rated #1 in the US.Above CMU?

QuoteOriginally posted by: VeeganQuoteOriginally posted by: BeavisAttention all:Berkeley's program is now rated #1 in the US.Above CMU?Of course, way above CMU (http://www.global-derivatives.com/schoo ... 003-04.php) My biased view/experience is that the Berkeley MFE is superbly balanced, the faculty are top-notch, and IMHO, the worst apect of the program is its location in Berkeley, CA. Being in New York, London etc., is an underrated advantage, but that Berkeley's program is part of the business school is also an enormous, excessively overlooked advantage.

Hi oscarin, can you PM please? I would like to ask you some questions about quant shops within insurance companies. thanks

Berkeley itself isn't inherintly bad or anything. There are some nice parts that are chill. And the school isn't any more liberal than any other school as far as I'm concerned. The problems all stem from the type of people that "reside" in parts of the city. There is a homeless majority here. Some may have been former hippies, some were evidently bussed in from other cities wishing to rid themselves of the burden. Most of them are very aggressive. They are loud and obnoxious and will follow you down the street, stand inside stores, and not leave you alone until you give them something. Either money or a nice "fuck off you piece of shit" comment. If you ignore them, they only get louder and more persistent and say things like, "maybe you'll be in my place someday." I usually respond with, "if I were ever homeless, I'd kill myself right away." The people that live here seem to be used to them and I see too many people giving them money. It seems to be part of the culture. Often you see the "trust fund kids" pretending to be homeless for whatever stupid reason they have. The other thing that annoys me is the amount of Organic food everyone buys. Often it is NOT healthier than regular food. Everyone I've ever spoken to about it uses the same argument. They all think that corporations can't be trusted and that chemicals in the food are going to kill them. It's an ignorant way of thinking and very easy to refute. All in all, the weather's nice, but that's about it.

I am in the same boat now, deciding bewteen Cornell and Berkeley, how important is the proximity to NYC, also FE at Cornell is in engineering school where Berkeley is in B-School. Is the reputation for these two school similar on Wallstreet?Can any industry veteran give me some advice here. Thanks.

floatmoon:Berkeley's MFE is about to start in a few weeks. Have you not given UC Berkeley a reply yet?

Berkeley is for next spring

CB,I saw your posts on Cornell. I have been admitted to Cornell for Fall-2005. I was just wondering if you are doing your FE in cornell now and the information that you have collected on the program. FYI, I have MS in CS and have been working for the past 3 years. Also, I am admitted to U.Michigan. Do you have any idea of which one would be a better option. I would appreciate any response in this regard.Thanks,Cnu