Boston MSMFT Enroll to Boston University or take a gap year-Urgent.

[Mallaby]

Hi folks,
I got an admit to Boston University's MS in Mathematical Finance & Financial Technology program for Fall'22. For the rest programs, I have either been waitlisted or rejected.
Therefore, I'd like to ask the experienced people out here to guide me on whether I should join Boston University's program or take a gap year and apply to the better-ranked programs again next year.
I am an Indian student and my major target is employment after Masters. I dream of working in asset management firms or hedge funds. Will Boston university provide me sufficient exposure to be able to join the major firms?
Kindly guide me.

Thank you.

 

[Qui-Gon]

If you have negligible costs associated with passing on BU and re-applying to other programs next year, I would highly consider it.

This is conditional on you having a strong academic background—if this is the case for you, by focusing this coming year on developing a strong understanding of quant finance and your interests therein, and writing a strong personal statement, I think you would significantly increase your chances of getting into a top 10 program. I think personal statements play a critical role in admissions decisions—do not overlook them, and to write a truly well-thought out one requires you have done months long due diligence on the field of quant finance.

If your academic background has several holes—too many to plug in one year—and/or weak grades in key courses, I would take the BU offer. I’ve seen some MSMFT alumni doing interesting things, but by and large most seem to be in “periphery” roles.

 

[Mallaby]

Thank you @Qui-Gon for the response.
Much appreciated.

 

[jarryds]

If you like the program and can afford it, go. Don't worry about rankings on Quantnet, the rest of the world does not know about this ranking system and does not care. BU is a good school, you will learn a lot.

 

[Mallaby]

Thank you @jarryds. I have received dean's scholarship of 15K USD, which makes the BU program slightly less expensive and therefore affordable for me. I can see I am inclined towards BU's program.

 

[jarryds]

Thank you @jarryds. I have received dean's scholarship of 15K USD, which makes the BU program slightly less expensive and therefore affordable for me. I can see I am inclined towards BU's program.

Great, good luck!