I am looking for some advice. I want to apply to the top MFE schools as well as the M.Fin programs at Princeton and
MIT, but I'd at least like to have an idea of what sort of chances I have. If it is going to be a long shot, I want to know up front so that I can play up other parts of my personality and life. I am about to start my senior year of college and I would like to know where I am at. Here are my stats:
I am taking the GRE in a couple of days which I know will affect things, but just assume I do well. I usually do well on standardized tests, i.e. SAT, ACT.
Undergrad double major in Math and Finance from non-target state school. So far I have a 4.0 and should finish my senior year with a 4.0 overall and (obviously) in both majors.
Math courses:
Calc 1-4, Differential Equations, Fundamentals of Mathematics (How to write proofs, basic number theory, basically just how to think and read in math terms), Linear Algebra 1 and 2, Discrete Mathematics, Abstract Algebra, Real Analysis, Theory of Statistics and Probability 1 and 2 (Calc based probability and statistics as well as more theoretical stuff)
Finance courses:
Corporate Finance 1 and 2, Bank Management, Investments, (Money Markets, Capital Markets, and Financial Institutions), Portfolio Risk Management, International Finance, Advanced Financial Management
I've also taken an intro level programming course and done some personal programming projects. I'm not especially skilled in any particular programming language but I generally understand how the programming languages work and could quickly learn.
I have quite a few extracurricular activities. I am the vice president of the Financial Management Association as well as the co founder of our schools investment club. We are working on starting a fund managed by students at our school. We are attending two or three investment conferences throughout this next school year. I am also treasurer of the Math Club. I am also Vice President of Pi Mu Epsilon math honor society. I am also in the Golden Key Honor Society. I have also maintained a job throughout my undergraduate college experience without letting it keep my 4.0. I am also joining my school's triathlon team this year.
I don't really have much relevant work experience. I have had a job since I was 16, but little if any of it was related to Finance directly.
Some other interesting classes I have taken are Environmental Economics, Acoustics (Physics of Sound), and Cultural Geography.
Some other personal info: I am from America and English is my first language. I speak a little Spanish. I am well read and well spoken. Most people find me rather charming and I'm not too bad on the eyes either! (Haha, I know that probably has little to do with it) I interview very well and have no problem talking to people about most any subject, though I will admit when I am not well versed on a subject. In my spare time, I cycle and do triathlons. I mention this because I think it shows dedication and willingness to work hard. Triathlons are not for the lazy lol.
My rankings for schools I am going to apply to are as follows:
1.
MIT/Princeton
2. Columbia/NYU
3. Rutgers/Cornell
4. Vanderbilt
By the way, I am not trying to say these programs are the same, I just feel equally excited about them.
So, what do you guys think? I'm applying either way; I just want to know what my chances are. Thanks so much!