Question about the MFE application

[JEFFFERY]

Hey Guys,

I am currently a rising senior study at Lehigh University and I need some help for my Grad school applications. Here's a little bit about my background, I started off as a Computer Science & Business Major, did not do well (party too much during Freshman year), switched to Accounting Major because it is the strongest Business Program at my school, absolutely hated it, and then ended up being a Finance/Business Information System student right now. However, while I was studying for the CFA last month, I found out that I am really interested in the Quantitative Stuff and I really wanted to get a Master of Financial Engineering degree. My confusion is that most threads I read here said I really need a Math/Computer Science/Physics Undergrad Degree to pursue a MFE degree, so will my majors right now(Finance/Business Information System) put me in a hugely disadvantage position? If so, is there anything I could do to cover it? I have not taken any math courses during college because I transferred both AP Cal AB&BC, and so far I only learned SQL/JAVA for my Business Information System major(which I think it is not rigorous enough). Please give me some advices because I have to study for the GMAT and prepare for the applications soon, and I am thinking if I should stay an extra year to catch up some of the math/Computer Science work. I don't want a MSF degree because i think it is pretty similar to what I learn in College and I would not get much out of it. Thanks!

 

[mhy]

You don't need a CS/math/physics degree to get into an MFE program, but those degrees typically satisfy the entry requirements (which vary by program). You need to research all the programs you want to apply to and take additional college classes to close the gap between your coursework and the programs' requirements.

 

[Pratul Agarwal]

Hi,
I needed some insights on the importance of college GPA and particular grades on the MFE application.
I have taken most of the mathematics courses you have mentioned(Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations and Statistics), but my grades aren't very competitve. I come from an Economics Honrs and Electrical Engineering background, and I have a good curriculum record in Economics and Finance courses(including C Programming, Econometrics and Applied Econometrics). I have also done a plethora of courses with straight A grades in many finance courses including Derivatives and Risk Management, Portfolio Management, Security Analysis, Financial Management, and Financial Engineering basics.
Could you tell me please, how bad is it going to hurt my chances, considering my weak grades in maths courses? I have a good programming experience though and am a CFA level2 candidate.
168 quants in GRE.
Thanks