Chances for Columbia, USC

jchanmba · August 29th, 2003, 5:31 am

Hi everybody, I'm considering to apply for Columbia and USC Quantitative Finance programs. My profiles are:Mathematics degree (Second/Lower)MBAGMAT: 710No finance working experienceCan anybody tell me sincerely do I stand any chance for these schools? If not, what alternatives can I have?Thanks.

Bob33 · August 29th, 2003, 8:47 am

This is just a general question, but without work experience, how do you know that you want to go into quant? With an MBA, why not get a few years of banking experience to see what working in a bank entails?

Beavis · August 29th, 2003, 1:37 pm

I know that USC needs the GRE, not GMAT. Columbia may accept the GMAT, though. I'd say your chances at USC are much better. Columbia's program is highly regarded and more competitive. USC is rigorous also, however, and considerably cheaper. They also offer the option of completion in 1 year, vs 2 for Columbia.

MathFinance · August 29th, 2003, 2:07 pm

I'm pretty sure Columbia does indeed accept the GMAT in place of the suggested GRE. It's a one year program if one attends full-time.USC's website is ambiguous regarding the ability to substitute the GMAT; one area says yes, another states the GRE is required. It looks like it's a one-year program as well, as there are 30 required units.I think that one of USC's program directors, Cvitanic, was a former student of Karatzas' at Columbia.

jlee11 · August 30th, 2003, 12:02 am

For USC.. prerequisites (all the classes listed on the website) are very important.. and a min. gpa of 3.0 for USC grad. school.

dradams01 · September 2nd, 2003, 2:54 pm

Sure enough Cvitanic was the program director for Math Fin at Columbia before coming to USC. SC will accept the GMAT if you are good enough.

pb · February 11th, 2004, 12:28 am

Math Finance:Could you please share your views regarding Georgia tech's QCF program. Thanks

MathFinance · February 12th, 2004, 2:22 am

Unfortunately I have none, beyond what I may have already posted. No familiarity other than possibly cruising the website eons ago coupled with some stereotypical and rather uniformed view of the school in general.

hotone · February 12th, 2004, 3:32 pm

Just a quick reply:at Columbia, I think the GRE/GMAT are recomended not required