Chances for financial engineering?

Graduate School Business School - MBA
1

<p>Hey so I'm a junior right now, and in fall I will be applying for fin eng and fin math programs. I know the applicant pool is getting more and more competitive every year, so I want to know how good my chances are. I'm at UC Berkeley right now with a double major in Econ and Applied Math.</p>

<p>Overall GPA: 3.53. Math GPA: 4.00 (only taken 4 classes so far though). Econ GPA: crap</p>

<p>Calc I: A
Calc II: A
Multivariate Calc: A+
Linear Algebra + Diff EQs (they put it in one class): A+
Probability (taking it this semester, but assume it to be an A)
Real analysis and numerical analysis I will not have taken by the time I apply.</p>

<p>I realize that my math grades are good and all, so I'm wondering how much the rest of my resume is gonna hurt me. My overall GPA isn't too good, and I get mostly Bs in my econ classes. Also, I have no relevant work experience (although I have some accounting experience, which could be relevant finance experience). Also, I have not taken any programming classes, nor am I going to by the time I finish college (no space in my schedule).</p>

<p>Now first off, is there anything missing that I haven't mentioned? Second, my plan is to knock out programming and work experience with one stone. A buddy and I are trying to learn C++ or Matlab and try (under the guidance of our linear algebra teacher) to do SOME type of research in finance. Of course that's tremendously difficult, but it was my only idea.</p>

<p>Can people tell me how important work experience and programming knowledge is, and any suggestions other than the one I listed might be good for me to consider?</p>

<p>Thank you for your time and consideration. I really appreciate it.</p>

2

<p>Double major is not likely to help or hurt you; and your math gpa is irrelevant for the most part they will be more concerned with cumulative.</p>

3

<p>Programming knowledge is very important.</p>

<p>You can pick up a book and teach yourself.</p>

<p>I would highly recommend you get at least 1 year of relevant work experience because without it, you would be in a difficult position once recruiting comes around. Plus, you'll be in a better position to understand all that programming jargon. And it makes the advanced degree much more meaningful.</p>

<p>Not only that, but you'll have some negotiating power if you do get an offer.</p>

4

<p>"Double major is not likely to help or hurt you; and your math gpa is irrelevant for the most part they will be more concerned with cumulative."</p>

<p>I was under the complete opposite impression that ONLY my math grades count for this. I mean, i seriously doubt they care what I got in my greek mythology class. Second of all, a large, large percentage of MFE students are foreign, so it's not like they're english is THAT good. I figured all schools really care about is how well your mind works mathematically. What are you basing that judgement on?</p>

5

<p>you are correct to assume that math gpa is much more important than econ gpa in mfe applications (along with your programming abilities).</p>