Dear all,I have find it difficult to choose the better one from themFin-math is relatively easy for job-hunting, but NCSU is not among the first tie.The brand of Columbia is huge, but I am unfamiliar with Statistics and I don't know its job prospects in USA,especially for the students with master's degree not Phd. Maybe is not as good as fin-math. And I wonder whether I could find a job in financial sectors with MA in Statistics.I wonder whether you could award me some precious advice on it. thanks

Have you ever considered upgrading your MSc to PhD once in Columbia? You could always identify a Professor with interests in Finance related topics.

There are definitely jobs for stats people in finance, particulalry if you try to choose options on your course that are relevant.

Hi channelxue,So what did you choose? I am also looking for advice. How sane decision is for a Java developer to Pursue Fin Math at NCSU,Raleigh? Could somebody please help me on this?thanks,

QuoteOriginally posted by: rdxrdHi channelxue,So what did you choose? I am also looking for advice. How sane decision is for a Java developer to Pursue Fin Math at NCSU,Raleigh? Could somebody please help me on this?thanks,To be honest, it is a waste. MFE is mainly a brand game and location is another bonus. NCSU is neither that well known to recruiters nor Raleigh as a location would help you find a good internship/job. There used to be some big banks in Charlotte, sort of driving distance but most of them are in trouble already. Add to it NC is a fairly dull and boring place. Instead of going to NCSU you could try the MA economics at Duke. It is worth a bit more on resume and more hands on.

Thanks for replying.I will be keeping my current job,how are the prospects if I move to NY after graduations and look for a job where I can leverage my MS in Financial mathematics? QuoteOriginally posted by: cryptic26QuoteOriginally posted by: rdxrdHi channelxue,So what did you choose? I am also looking for advice. How sane decision is for a Java developer to Pursue Fin Math at NCSU,Raleigh? Could somebody please help me on this?thanks,To be honest, it is a waste. MFE is mainly a brand game and location is another bonus. NCSU is neither that well known to recruiters nor Raleigh as a location would help you find a good internship/job. There used to be some big banks in Charlotte, sort of driving distance but most of them are in trouble already. Add to it NC is a fairly dull and boring place. Instead of going to NCSU you could try the MA economics at Duke. It is worth a bit more on resume and more hands on.

QuoteOriginally posted by: cryptic26QuoteOriginally posted by: rdxrdHi channelxue,So what did you choose? I am also looking for advice. How sane decision is for a Java developer to Pursue Fin Math at NCSU,Raleigh? Could somebody please help me on this?thanks,To be honest, it is a waste. MFE is mainly a brand game and location is another bonus. NCSU is neither that well known to recruiters nor Raleigh as a location would help you find a good internship/job. There used to be some big banks in Charlotte, sort of driving distance but most of them are in trouble already. Add to it NC is a fairly dull and boring place. Instead of going to NCSU you could try the MA economics at Duke. It is worth a bit more on resume and more hands on.Credit Suisse and Fidelity have offices in RTP. Why do you think NC is a boring place? Even NJ is a a boring place

DC is right. There are lots of job opportunities for those who have a degree in statistics. Also, after completing the MS, you have the option of going after a PHD. I also think that there are too many who have a MFE. Sounds over-supplied.

QuoteOriginally posted by: lexingtonQuoteOriginally posted by: cryptic26 Credit Suisse and Fidelity have offices in RTP. Why do you think NC is a boring place? Even NJ is a a boring placeJust two firms? And that would fetch you a job without experience in a market like this? Add to it, the salary would be around 10-20% lower and bonus (if at all any) would be much more lower.NJ could be boring if you are living somewhere close to PA & lazy to spend an hour to get to NYC. Add to it there are conferences, seminars, networking events that you could go to in the city. Not that many options in NC. That is why NC is boring - way too boring compared to NYC/NJ/CT!

QuoteOriginally posted by: rdxrdThanks for replying.I will be keeping my current job,how are the prospects if I move to NY after graduations and look for a job where I can leverage my MS in Financial mathematics? If you have a geographical preference to NC, then I would recommend applying to MBA at Duke. It is not easy but a lot better option than MFin at NCNU.

Thanks All For replying.I don't have geographical preference to NC,In fact I don't like this place as all the seminars,events,conf ,etc happens in cities like NYC. I choose this course because :(1) I am resident alien working on H1B visa and only 2 years are left on my visa. I can move to NYC and can find a job their but I am not sure if my new employer will be willing to do my GC(Permanent Residency). Even if they do, I have to wait till 2011 end and it will be very close to my visa expiration.(2) Financial Mathematics @ NCSU is for $12,000 and I will be paying this from my pocket.(3) I saw the ranking as 11, So I thought it's decent course.(4) I can't leave my job as I have financial obligation.(5) I like Diff equation, Calculus kind of math and when I checked Curriculum of Financial mathematics program , I kind of liked it. So I choose FM.Link to FM http://www.math.ncsu.edu/finmath/index.html

Go to Columbia stats.MFE is useless unless it is from Berkeley or physically located in New York City.After Stats MS/PhD you have better chance as you are a specialist.Ignore cost. 12000 is rounding error compared to lifetime earning differential of career in finance versus what you are doing now.

rdxrd: why don't you apply for Canadian PR? That is what all the IT people on H1-B do. It will take 18 months to get. Then you just rent a UHAUL and drive to Toronto. That is standard technique for the IT people. There are lot of IT jobs in Toronto. Also healthcare is free and quality of life is much better for your kids with free healthcare and free education. Otherwise you will go from H1-B to H1-B and you will have to leave and return home after 2 years when your H1-B time runs out. NCSU is a really good MFE program but the brand name is just not good enough to get a job especially since you will be requiring visa sponsorship. You will get the same job as Java developer and when H1-B time runs out you will have to go home. Even if the company sponsors you for Green Card it will take 7-10 years to get. Do you really want to live in uncertainty for that much time. Just follow the standard IT technique and go to Toronto. If you are able to get admission in Berkeley or NYU or Princeton or Stanford, then it is worthwhile to do the MFE because in this business the school brand name means everything.

QuoteOriginally posted by: traderjoe1976in this business the school brand name means everything.The prestige that comes from being admitted to one of the top schools will get you through the first year or two but not necessarily further. A masters program offers the student a golden opportunity to build a solid basis for his future career; course content and quality of teaching are crucial.Jim Gatheral said that

QuoteOriginally posted by: traderjoe1976rdxrd: why don't you apply for Canadian PR? That is what all the IT people on H1-B do. It will take 18 months to get. Then you just rent a UHAUL and drive to Toronto. That is standard technique for the IT people. There are lot of IT jobs in Toronto. Also healthcare is free and quality of life is much better for your kids with free healthcare and free education. Otherwise you will go from H1-B to H1-B and you will have to leave and return home after 2 years when your H1-B time runs out. NCSU is a really good MFE program but the brand name is just not good enough to get a job especially since you will be requiring visa sponsorship. You will get the same job as Java developer and when H1-B time runs out you will have to go home. Even if the company sponsors you for Green Card it will take 7-10 years to get. Do you really want to live in uncertainty for that much time. Just follow the standard IT technique and go to Toronto. If you are able to get admission in Berkeley or NYU or Princeton or Stanford, then it is worthwhile to do the MFE because in this business the school brand name means everything.All IT people on H-1B indeed do that. I did too. However when I went to Canada for landing I was so disillusioned by the lack luster nature of the place that I decided never to go back. Yes there are Java jobs in Canada, but mostly short term contracts which you will be hunting for all the time. Salaries are seriously lower and its not much use to be ambitious there. Just not enough scope to do very well. In US getting a GC is hard, especially if you are from India/China but its still a better place. If you are a strong programmer why can a second tier MFE help you land a quant developer role. Besides with Comprehensive Immigration Reform in the works (possibly early next year) the next generation if H1-B's from India/China will not have to wait for 8-10 years in the queue for the GC. 2-3 may be what one needs to wait which is the ball park for the Canadian GC as well.BTW its less easy to get the Canadian PR these days. Canada is tightening up their immigration policy of late.