<p>Hi, can someone tell me how strong this program is at NU? And how it compares to other schools (specifically Carnegie Mellon). Thanks</p>
<p>well, or anything you know about this school
I got off the waitlist, after not really researching this school that much, so if anyone can help me, thanks a lot</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon has, I believe, the number one financial engineering department in the world. That being said, it's also a notoriously terrible socially, if that's a big deal for you (which Northwestern isn't as much I'm sure). Also, Northwestern has a very strong finance (specifically economics) department, and is right next to Chicago (interning opportunities galore, with, of course, the rest of the city of Chicago). Lots of good things. Keep researching, I'm sure other people will also respond. Check both out. I don't think you can go too wrong either way.</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>btw, how did you find that cmu has the best fin engineering department?
I've looked at the CMU boards, and people there don't seem to mind the social life too much so I'm not gonna decide based on that.</p>
<p>You should check out industrial engineering and management sciences department also. They have financial engineering courses. Quite a few people double-major in that and econ. Both the econ and IEMS departments are top-10 in the nation.</p>
<p>CMU only admits 10 students in each class to its undergraduate financial engineering program. The Masters in Fin. Eng. is top-notch at CMU, but not the top IMO. Also, if you're looking for i-bank jobs, CMU has a record for landing more back office jobs and tech-oriented jobs than the coveted positions.</p>
<p>Are you talking about a specific program at Northwestern? The finance department is excellent but as an undergraduate you won't have any contact with it. i-banking people etc. from Northwestern typically would major in economics, mathematics, MMSS, or some combination.</p>
<p>For what it's worth financial engineering is not finance, and while CMU Tepper is good at it, they do not have an unambiguous claim on being the best. </p>
<p>There is essentially no area or level of academia where a single school is the undisputed best in the world or even best in the US. It simply does not work that way and never will.</p>
<p>At the graduate level, Berkeley's FE is supposed to be the best; but it's a graduate program. I actually heard that Waterloo has the best FE undergrad program.</p>
<p>In addition to what Sam Lee said, you could major in econ and mathematics. Or just do econ and take classes in fields that are of interest to you. An econ degree, if taken with enough math, should be plenty for a career in financial services.</p>
<p>I would be doing computational finance if I attended CMU, not financial engineering... would that put me in the same place job-wise after graduation?</p>
<p>(Not really planning on grad-school right now)</p>
<p>bambi, I meant computational finance previously not FE. There is an application process to get into CF that occurs in spring semester of Sophomore year and only 10 qualified students get accepted. What is your backup plan if that does not fall through?
Here is the link: <a href="http://www.math.cmu.edu/%7Erw1k/undergrad/ungrd.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.math.cmu.edu/~rw1k/undergrad/ungrd.htm</a></p>
<p>Also, I suggest you take a deeper look into the social life at CMU. While I understand the academic programs are your primary focus, you do have to live on campus for four years. If you are not enjoying life, you won't be able to work to your potential. I was considering CMU before and here are some of my comments based on visiting the campus and talking to current students.</p>
<p>Pros:
* Strong in quantitative/technical fields. That's where CMU's reputation comes from.
* In the city. Pitt has a lot of college students, second to only Boston.</p>
<p>Cons:
* Housing - Housing is not very organized and dorms are small.
* Food - Campus food is terrible. Most people try to get off the meal plan after first year.
* Depression - A lot of students suffer from it at CMU.
* Student body - CMU students take geekiness to another level. Also, 62% of students are guys (higher if you include grad students) and only ~40% are white. That is a very low number compared to most schools. 24% students are Asian-American, with another 11% coming from Asia.
* Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh doesn't have that many attractions compared to Chicago. Also, everything shuts down after 5 on Sundays. Like, everything.</p>
<p>If CF falls through, I'd try to double CS and Math.</p>
<p>I thank you for you comments on CMU, but what I really need advice on are Northwestern programs.</p>
<p>Ask Sam Lee.</p>
<p>Sam, I have a question for you. I can't PM you, so I'll try here. If I do an Industrial/Econ double major, should I start taking Econ classes first year or second year? The traditional plan of study file suggested to start Theme classes sophomore year, but what if I change my mind and want to do a single major in Econ instead. Wouldn't I be in a better position if I took Econ classes first year and the Chem/Natural Science sequence second year?</p>