Have any one in this message board applied to the program in U of Chicago, Princeton, NYU? I am an applicant for Fall 2003. Have they adcom released any admission news for Fall`s term? How would you all practitioners and current students consider the education among those universityies? I really want to be practice-oriented expert in this field.Thank You,

I applied to Princeton's MS (finance) but haven't heard any decision result yet.

BlueSea,I have been accepted to Univ of Chicago's program for Fin Math for Fall 2003. haven't heard from Columbia yet. What's your status? Have you heard from any of the programs? Niket

I know a few people that went through U. of Chicago's Fin Math program and said that it was great. I opted for Illinois Institute of Technology's Master of Science in Financial Markets. Not a bad program, but not as quantitative as Chicago's program. Obviously, Chicago has the reputation, and it's theories are well known in this field. I was not aware of this program when I started at IIT, but if I could do it again I would definitely go to U. of Chicago.

Uky,When did you complete your program? Are you currently working in this field? I'm in a bit of dilema as I currently I'm working as a Mgmt Consultant, though I want to get in the Quant Finance field, but wondering about the timing of my going back to school as the economy is in such a state of flux. Wondering what are the job prospects like after getting this degree.Of the people you know who went to Univ of Chicago, were they able to find jobs easily after getting their degree??If you are in this field, what are your thoughts?Thanks

HI param200,I apologize for the time it took me to reply. I will complete my MS from Illinois Institute of Technology this summer. I am currently in the field. I trade Soybean Meal options on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade. I have been doing this for 7 years. I went back to school to expand my horizons and keep my options open. The market has been slow for a long time where I am at, and across the floor in general. A lot of Stock option traders at the Chicago Board Options Exchange are being let go by their firms. Not much happening. As all of this is happening, it might be the best time to pursue a higher education. IIT has a pretty new, and small, placement office. They are working on building up contacts within the business. It seems that they are getting along with it pretty good. On the other hand, U. of Chicago has the reputation, and a darn good placement office. My one friend who went through the MS Financial Math at U of Chicago got a job on the Corporate Bond desk with Banc One Capital Markets. Not a bad gig for coming right out of school. To sum things up, I think an MS is a smart route to take and would stronly suggest looking into it. I hope this helps, and good luck.UKY