QuoteOriginally posted by: rdxrdThanks 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. Link to FM http://www.math.ncsu.edu/finmath/index.htmlIf you are doing part time then no one is going to hire you as a quant researcher or trader at the completion of a degree from NCSU. At the best you would be a quant developer on the trading desk and that is your best shot. Secondly I doubt if anyone would do your GC if you leave your current job (assuming your current employer has filed your GC). The best course would be to do Fin math or stat degree from well known univ full time and requesting your employer to keep your GC application (for some terms that you would work after completion of degree or during the summer etc). These days you get 18 months or longer OPT at the completion of a full time degree (which would be at least a year long). In 3 years you might have gotten your EAD at least. And most employer would be willing to do 1 year H1b till you get GC. If you have financial obligation then it is what it. That being said, given the immigration rules, I doubt if you would get your GC in another 2 years. Sorry for sounding pessimistic but that is reality.

QuoteOriginally posted by: ArthurDentGo 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.I am curious what strategy people usually follow? Not everyone is able to make into tier-1 school. There could be many factors in one's candidature rejection but one factor is always there, Seats are limited! So what they actually do? apply next year? a guy is not able to make into tier-1 school straight from last 2-3 years, so it's better to get into tier 2 school or keep trying?Ain't it worth to get into tier-2 school and get the basic clear? ain't it worth of getting GPA close to 4 from tier-2 school than GPA 2.5-3 from tier-1 school?thanks,

QuoteOriginally posted by: rdxrdQuoteOriginally posted by: ArthurDentGo 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.I am curious what strategy people usually follow? Not everyone is able to make into tier-1 school. There could be many factors in one's candidature rejection but one factor is always there, Seats are limited! So what they actually do? apply next year? a guy is not able to make into tier-1 school straight from last 2-3 years, so it's better to get into tier 2 school or keep trying?Ain't it worth to get into tier-2 school and get the basic clear? ain't it worth of getting GPA close to 4 from tier-2 school than GPA 2.5-3 from tier-1 school?thanks,Dude, most of the people on this forum are PhDs and they are making TEN times what you are making as a programmer. They were kind enough to take the time to give you accurate information. If you want to get into arguments, you will be happier on forums like global-derivatives.com or quantnet.org where there are a lot of MFE students who are helping each other out. The people on this forum are mostly highly experienced professionals in this field.