Hi,I am in the process of applying to a couple of US (Chicago FinMath, CMU, NYU) and UK (LSE Fin&Eco, City MTF, Imperial) programs, and I was wondering how Princeton's MFin was ranking compared to these. I mean, mainly from a professional point of view as I do not intend to go on with a PhD (I have the impression that Princeton is quite focused on academics, and maybe to a less extent on business issues compared with other major universities). Any info on this appreciated, as the deadline for application is very early this year (1st of Dec).Tks

Hi,The problem with Princeton is that it is far from the real business life. I know that it could sound silly, but I prefer an University close to the Financial World such that New York, Chicago or London and their respective Universities.Moreover, I would just add Columbia University indeed, there are several interesting teachers there: Broadie, Glasserman, Sunderasan, Derman, Karatzas and more

By far, you meant from a physical point of view, as well, right?Regarding Columbia, I cannot attend it due to its (too) early beginning of courses but it was obviously short-listed!

You should also consider the new MSc in Financial Mathematics at CASS, which is far more quantitative theory orientated than MTF (which is mostly for practitionaires).

QuoteThe problem with Princeton is that it is far from the real business life. I know that it could sound silly, but I prefer an University close to the Financial World such that New York, Chicago or London and their respective Universities.Regarding distance with respect to theory versus practice - it is true that Princeton overall as a school is biased towards theory and academics rather than implementation.Regarding distance with respect to proximity to a financial center (as implied by hotone's response) - Princeton is essentially an hour by train to NYC. That's the local train. Many people commute to the city to pursue their financial careers. It's probably as easy of a commute as that faced by anyone living in the CT suburbs.As an aside, Columbia has apparently revamped their FE program (offered by IEOR) to start in the second half of the summer. However, their math finance program (housed within the math department) still (I believe) follows the standard academic calendar.

my mistake: the FE is indeed the one starting mid-summer; as for math finance, are you talking about the Master of Arts in Mathematics with Specialization in the Mathematics of Finance? I'm not familiar with Anglo-Saxon academic programs, so how does an MA compare with an MSc?As for Cass, the application forms offer three choices, so I'll put FinMath as #2...Tks

Hi,I have the feeling that Mathematics are classified in Arts instead of Physics which is classified in Science, I believe (for instance in England, you become a Doctor in Philosophy with Thesis in Mathematics ). But there is no real difference between those two diplomas : actually, you can easely choose courses from those two masters even courses at the Business School.

"so how does an MA compare with an MSc?"Often not much difference, and nowadays mostly academic turf battles, but it used to be Erte versus Techne.Folks who studied the 'Arts' were toffs. Folks who studied 'Techniques' were clever laborers.This is overdrawn, but these degree names are traces of those class systems. (too dumd for even a polytechnic)In the end, it maters what is in your brain.But consider this: dumb-o MBAs get high-paid jobs better suited to a quant with a technical degree all the time. Meanwhile the quant is suffocating coding away while some dope shmuck trades things with horrifying gamma.Happens everyday.

When I graduated in maths we had the opportunity to have a BSc or a BA! Out of the 125 group, 124 chose BSc and 1 BA!

Quotemy mistake: the FE is indeed the one starting mid-summer; as for math finance, are you talking about the Master of Arts in Mathematics with Specialization in the Mathematics of Finance? I'm not familiar with Anglo-Saxon academic programs, so how does an MA compare with an MSc?Yes, that's the program I was speaking of. And as James and hotone said, there's essentially not a real difference. If I recall correctly (not sure about this one), the reason for Columbia's strange and lengthy title for this program was a result of turf wars regarding who has the authority/ownership on using the word "finance" with respect to a degree - and the business school won.

QuoteOriginally posted by: hotoneHi,The problem with Princeton is that it is far from the real business life. I know that it could sound silly, but I prefer an University close to the Financial World such that New York, Chicago or London and their respective Universities.Moreover, I would just add Columbia University indeed, there are several interesting teachers there: Broadie, Glasserman, Sunderasan, Derman, Karatzas and moreDoesn't sound silly at all....except for the columbia part...hehehe NYU's program is WAY better than Columbia's...