MFE Programs: How Soon Can One Seek Internships?

[hammingbird]

Dear Community,

I have wondered for some time how soon international MFE students can seek internships after enrolling in an MFE course. I specify this question below.

Many MathFin programs such as Columbia's MAFN or NYU's MSMF have flexible curricula, allowing students to basically complete the programs "at their own pace". It seems that for students, securing internships while still enrolled in the program is crucial for future job sucess. However, I wonder how soon international applicants are able to seek internships after enrolling (due to visa restrictions, etc).

Is it possible for international students to secure internships say, after just one semester?

Your Sincerely,

hammingbird

 

[Andy Nguyen]

The usual rule is F-1 visa students are eligible for CPT internship after one academic year (9 months).
You can work full-time during break (summer, winter break) and up to 20 hours/week while school is in session.
http://www.upenn.edu/oip/isss/cpt

And there is OPT
http://www.isso.cornell.edu/immigration/f1/OPTfaq.pdf

So in short, no. You can't do internship after 1 semester. Most MFE programs start in the Fall so the earliest you can intern full-time is summer of the following year.

 

[MusorZ]

The usual rule is F-1 visa students are eligible for CPT internship after one academic year (9 months).
You can work full-time during break (summer, winter break) and up to 20 hours/week while school is in session.
http://www.upenn.edu/oip/isss/cpt

And there is OPT
http://www.isso.cornell.edu/immigration/f1/OPTfaq.pdf

So in short, no. You can't do internship after 1 semester. Most MFE programs start in the Fall so the earliest you can intern full-time is summer of the following year.

I wonder how UCB MFE program students can do their internships in 6-7 months after start of the program

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Please keep in mind the "one academic year" keyword. Most universities use a "semester" system. Two semesters (Fall, Spring) takes about 9 months.
UCB uses a "session" system.
Their students do internships in Oct-Jan after studying in Spring session (March-May), Summer session (Jun-July), Fall session (Aug-Oct).