Rady (UC San Diego) MF vs. Claremont MSFE?

[Levon]

Dear Intelligent QuanNet Community,
I was accepted to both programs and need to make a decision ASAP. Here is some info:

Rady MF: 1st year program, one year program, $45k tuition (w/ $10k fellowship I received), focus on big data, will have to pay rent (aprox. $1000 per mo. for 12 mo.)

Claremont MSFE: 1.5 year program, $80k tuition (no fellowship), I live in LA and can stay w/ family rent-free

I am in a deep dilemma over this and I want to choose the best option cost-benefit wise. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you very much in advance for your advice and assistance,
Levon

 

[IntoDarkness]

i dont see any dilemma here...

 

[Levon]

i dont see any dilemma here...

Thanks for your response. Why don't you see any dilemma? Is it b/c one program is superior to another? If so, which program? Is it the cost difference? If you could please explain I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[SadKillarrious]

I would take the guess that he means Claremont. You want to go with an established program as employers will be more familiar with the program and recruit there. 45k in debt and cant get a job is worse than 80k in debt and making 70k/year. And its LA.

 

[Levon]

I would take the guess that he means Claremont. You want to go with an established program as employers will be more familiar with the program and recruit there. 45k in debt and cant get a job is worse than 80k in debt and making 70k/year. And its LA.

Thanks for your response. However, I'm afraid that I'm weak in math and that it might affect my performance at Claremont. I just haven't taken a lot of math.

Additionally, do you really think that going to a brand new Master of Finance program will likely yield poor results in my job search? I know Claremont is established, but it's not a top tier program and it's almost twice as expensive.

 

[Levon]

Any more input would be greatly appreciated. From the response I got and from the lack of responses generally I am beginning to think that the question might seem ridiculous. However, I legitimately could use some sound advice.

 

[CasanovaJ]

However, I'm afraid that I'm weak in math and that it might affect my performance at Claremont.

This may come off as a bit harsh, but if you're so afraid that you might not be able to get through a relatively not-so-great MFE program, maybe you should consider a different career? Are you aware of how competitive this field is and the types of animals you'll be up against?

 

[SadKillarrious]

I agree with ca. It sounds like you are dreaming of the millions you'll think you'll make instead of the actual path. And your not good with math? Math Olympiads can't even break the wall sometimes. Take some harsh advice, its a "pipe dream."

 

[Levon]

I agree with ca. It sounds like you are dreaming of the millions you'll think you'll make instead of the actual path. And your not good with math? Math Olympiads can't even break the wall sometimes. Take some harsh advice, its a "pipe dream."

Well, I'm very good at math, but I just haven't taken a lot of upper level math classes. That's what I'm mainly worried about. Some people I've talked to have taken very high level math classes. I haven't done this. However, I'm very mathematically inclined. I received a 740 on the GMAT and did very well on the math section.

As for dreaming of millions, that's definitely not the case. I understand what I could expect to make and I would be satisfied with something relatively modest to start out with.

I'm leaning towards Rady's (UC San Diego) program b/c it's a bit cheaper and b/c I can finish in 1 year instead of 1.5 years. Any other input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sammy]

Before you acquire such debt you should figure out which area of finance you want to work in. Both degrees are different. A MSF degree tends to focus on the analytical aspects of finance (corporate finance, financial statements analysis, investment theory etc.) and doesn't require mathematical maturity. The MFE degree is the quantitative one. Without a solid background in math and programming you will struggle with the curriculum regardless of how high your GMAT score is.

 

[Levon]

Before you acquire such debt you should figure out which area of finance you want to work in. Both degrees are different. A MSF degree tends to focus on the analytical aspects of finance (corporate finance, financial statements analysis, investment theory etc.) and doesn't require mathematical maturity. The MFE degree is the quantitative one. Without a solid background in math and programming you will struggle with the curriculum regardless of how high your GMAT score is.

I like the idea of both, but I'm leaning more towards the quantitative side for some reason.

Is an intermediate understanding of Python and decent knowledge of Multivariate Calculus and Linear Algebra sufficient preparation for an MFE?

 

[SadKillarrious]

What about stats and partial differential equations? C++? Matlab? SAS, R? Python isn't bad except the high level of abstraction doesn't do you justice. What did you do your undergrad in?

 

[Levon]

I did my undergrad in Economics. I decided to go with the Claremont program. Thanks to everyone for their advice.

Best,
Levon