UCLA Masters in Financial Engineering

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>Like everyone else I would like to know my chances only because I have to very different undergraduate GPA’s. Any response is appreciated.</p>

<li>School: University of California-Riverside (2002-2008)</li>
<li>BA Economics: 2.5/4.0 scale (2002-2006)</li>
<li>BA Mathematics: 3.7/4.0 scale (2006-2008)</li>
<li>Minor: Statistics: 3.8/4.0 scale (2006-2008</li>
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<p>MY ECON GPA WAS BEFORE THE TOPIC OF MY ESSAY, WHICH I WILL SOON EXPLAIN!!</p>

<li>Research with a Business professor who specializes in Financial Eng.</li>
<li>Senior Thesis: Stochastic Process</li>
<li>3 strong letters of recc from 2 math professors and 1 econ professor who clearly indicate that despite my econ GPA, my math and stats GPA clearly make me ready and prepared for this graduate program.</li>
<li>2 internships: First, an entrepreneur starting and directing a painting business. Second, an associate at Merril Lynch. </li>
<li>Essay Topic: Studied for 1 month in India in 2006 with colleagues of the Dalai Lama. This changed my life and helped me realize what I wanted in life.</li>
<li>GRE: 680 Verbal, 780 Quant.
OBVIOUSLY MY ECON GPA MAKES ME VERY WORRIED ABOUT WHAT ADMISSIONIONS COMMITTEES WILL THINK. BUT IM HOPING MY ESSAY, RESEARCH AND MATH/STATS GPA’S ARE PROOF OF HOW DEDICATED I AM. TELL ME WHAT MY CHANCES ARE. WHAT SHOULD I ADD TO MY APPLICATION??</li>
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2

<p>You need far more work experience than that. The average applicant has years of experience, at least to top programs. UCLA's Master's in Financial Engineering program is a fledging program so it is hard to say how stringent the admissions standards will be. Your econ gpa may affect you, but your other two gpas are very good, though it doesn't mean quite as much because you're not coming from a top top school. </p>

<p>Your test scores are outstanding for an MFE program. but i'm afraid that this alone can't necessarily do it for you. </p>

<p>Also, you NEED computer programming background in C, C++. Matlab is also a plus. </p>

<p>Also, one of your recommendations should definitely come from an employer.</p>