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game · 03-16-2008, 04:26 PM

Hi guys,
I am interested in doing a Phd in Finance. I have done my undergrad in computer science and also masters in computer science with minor in math. i have no experience in Finance and have not done any courses in it. here goes my profile:

PROFILE:
Type of Grad coll: top 5 US univ for Computer Science
grad GPA: 3.8
Type of Grad: Major - Computer Science, minor - Math
GRE: 1280 (760 Q, 500V, 4.5 AWA)
Math Courses: calculus I,II. linear algebra, complex and real analysis, Differential Equations, Statistics and probability etc and many others.
Finance Courses: none
Other Courses: many advanced computer science courses
Research Experience: Good
Teaching Experience: tutoring experirnce

Can u guys suggest which places i can target and tips on how to improve my profile ( like writing math subject gre or taking a couple of finance courses etc) as i still have one more year(applying for fall 2009). My dream place is Stanford. What do u guys think are my chances over there?
any help would be really appreciated.

grkevin · 03-18-2008, 08:34 AM

Since no one else has responded, I'll take a shot...

Your math and computer science background is very strong, and I think it would play well towards your applications, since getting a Ph.D. in finance benefits from a good background in both subjects (especially math).

To improve your profile: Try to get some finance classes on your transcript before you apply (summer classes are good). Take the finance classes offered by well-published faculty, and ask them for letters of recommendation. Raise your test scores. Write a strong SOP. When all this is done, ask those finance professors where you should apply.

Where to apply: Apply at Stanford, but don't get your hopes up. Apply to as many schools as you can. More important than where you go is what you do while you're there. If your dream is to go to Stanford, then you'd be much more likely to get into their CS program. If your dream is to get your Ph.D. in Finance, then you should be happy regardless of where you go.

I hope this helps. Best wishes, and keep us updated!

game · 03-18-2008, 02:22 PM

Thank uou grkevin for the reply. yeh i will surely do some finance courses this summer and try and increase my chances.

ginmanga · 03-21-2008, 09:23 PM

I think grkevin's advice is spot on. I would like to add that taking some micro courses might be usefull as well.

grkevin · 03-22-2008, 11:31 PM

Thanks ginmanga! Your advice is spot on as well. Did you have any luck this year?

doubtful · 03-23-2008, 06:18 AM

chances in finance are always small but there is a sensitive correlation between some places.
as ginmanga knows, during my (our) last interview it was funny to know that the admission chair told me he has been to all the other places I am getting an offer.
I mean, if you like empirical asset pricing, then build your application around that and apply to places that have more than 3-4 faculty members doing that.

ginmanga · 03-24-2008, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grkevin

Thanks ginmanga! Your advice is spot on as well. Did you have any luck this year?

I did get lucky this year. I finally got an admit after 6 straight rejections!!!!

Bloomsbury · 03-24-2008, 10:36 PM

I'm French student in the penultimate year of a Master in Management,
and currently enrolled in an exchange programme at American University
in Washington with a major in Economics.
I plan to apply next year to some doctoral programs in finance and
business economics in the US, I saw this topic and thought it would be the opportunity for me to ask you guys if you think I have any chances

PROFILE:
Type of Grad coll: I will graduate from a master in management (concentration in finance) in a decent French business school (not known at all in the US, but however the school has been ranked in the top 10 of the master in management ranking of the FT for the last 3 years)
grad GPA: we don't have any equivalent, however my grades might be converted as a A
GMAT : I'm currently preparing the GMAT and plan to pass it this summer
TOEFL : 107/120 with 5 on the essays
Math Courses: Advanced Analysis, Arithmetic, Combinatorics, Complex Analysis, Linear and Matrix Algebra, Logic & Set Theory, Multivariable Calculus, Probability Theory
Other Courses: Macroeconomics, Industrial Economics, Corporate Finance, Finanial Markets, Marketing, Human Ressources, Organizational Behavior
Research Experience: small, I'm working part time as a research assistant intern for a Washington based think tank, in Economic Research
I assume I have to work on this point
Working experience : I worked one year as a junior analyst on a trading floor in London, and a few months as a credit analyst

I was thinking about applying for a phd in finance but I know it's very competitive and I have more a background in Econ than in Finance. Do you think I should apply for other areas of study to improve my chances ? Do you think I can still target the top 20 with my profile ?

Thank you in advance for your help !

Bloomsbury · 03-24-2008, 10:43 PM

Furthermore, concerning my math courses, it was done through the French preparatory class (it's a 2 year preparation to enter into business schools), so I don't have any assessment of that, which makes difficult for me to prove my level, that's why I'm worried about my math background

doubtful · 03-25-2008, 12:16 AM

Bloomsbury... I tell you what you should do to get into a top10 business school.

Get a DEA in mathematical Finance, or Econometrics, or Statistics...
that would boost you at the top of the list of the candidate...

03-16-2008, 04:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
game Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4	Interested in Phd in Finance. Please help Hi guys, I am interested in doing a Phd in Finance. I have done my undergrad in computer science and also masters in computer science with minor in math. i have no experience in Finance and have not done any courses in it. here goes my profile: PROFILE: Type of Grad coll: top 5 US univ for Computer Science grad GPA: 3.8 Type of Grad: Major - Computer Science, minor - Math GRE: 1280 (760 Q, 500V, 4.5 AWA) Math Courses: calculus I,II. linear algebra, complex and real analysis, Differential Equations, Statistics and probability etc and many others. Finance Courses: none Other Courses: many advanced computer science courses Research Experience: Good Teaching Experience: tutoring experirnce Can u guys suggest which places i can target and tips on how to improve my profile ( like writing math subject gre or taking a couple of finance courses etc) as i still have one more year(applying for fall 2009). My dream place is Stanford. What do u guys think are my chances over there? any help would be really appreciated.

03-24-2008, 10:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bloomsbury Eager! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 39	Furthermore, concerning my math courses, it was done through the French preparatory class (it's a 2 year preparation to enter into business schools), so I don't have any assessment of that, which makes difficult for me to prove my level, that's why I'm worried about my math background Last edited by Bloomsbury : 03-24-2008 at 11:27 PM.

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03-18-2008, 08:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
grkevin Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 13	Since no one else has responded, I'll take a shot... Your math and computer science background is very strong, and I think it would play well towards your applications, since getting a Ph.D. in finance benefits from a good background in both subjects (especially math). To improve your profile: Try to get some finance classes on your transcript before you apply (summer classes are good). Take the finance classes offered by well-published faculty, and ask them for letters of recommendation. Raise your test scores. Write a strong SOP. When all this is done, ask those finance professors where you should apply. Where to apply: Apply at Stanford, but don't get your hopes up. Apply to as many schools as you can. More important than where you go is what you do while you're there. If your dream is to go to Stanford, then you'd be much more likely to get into their CS program. If your dream is to get your Ph.D. in Finance, then you should be happy regardless of where you go. I hope this helps. Best wishes, and keep us updated!

03-18-2008, 02:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
game Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4	Thank uou grkevin for the reply. yeh i will surely do some finance courses this summer and try and increase my chances.

03-21-2008, 09:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
ginmanga Eager! Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 53	I think grkevin's advice is spot on. I would like to add that taking some micro courses might be usefull as well.

03-22-2008, 11:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
grkevin Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 13	Thanks ginmanga! Your advice is spot on as well. Did you have any luck this year?

03-23-2008, 06:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
doubtful Within my grasp! Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 406	chances in finance are always small but there is a sensitive correlation between some places. as ginmanga knows, during my (our) last interview it was funny to know that the admission chair told me he has been to all the other places I am getting an offer. I mean, if you like empirical asset pricing, then build your application around that and apply to places that have more than 3-4 faculty members doing that.

03-24-2008, 10:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bloomsbury Eager! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 39	I'm French student in the penultimate year of a Master in Management, and currently enrolled in an exchange programme at American University in Washington with a major in Economics. I plan to apply next year to some doctoral programs in finance and business economics in the US, I saw this topic and thought it would be the opportunity for me to ask you guys if you think I have any chances PROFILE: Type of Grad coll: I will graduate from a master in management (concentration in finance) in a decent French business school (not known at all in the US, but however the school has been ranked in the top 10 of the master in management ranking of the FT for the last 3 years) grad GPA: we don't have any equivalent, however my grades might be converted as a A GMAT : I'm currently preparing the GMAT and plan to pass it this summer TOEFL : 107/120 with 5 on the essays Math Courses: Advanced Analysis, Arithmetic, Combinatorics, Complex Analysis, Linear and Matrix Algebra, Logic & Set Theory, Multivariable Calculus, Probability Theory Other Courses: Macroeconomics, Industrial Economics, Corporate Finance, Finanial Markets, Marketing, Human Ressources, Organizational Behavior Research Experience: small, I'm working part time as a research assistant intern for a Washington based think tank, in Economic Research I assume I have to work on this point Working experience : I worked one year as a junior analyst on a trading floor in London, and a few months as a credit analyst I was thinking about applying for a phd in finance but I know it's very competitive and I have more a background in Econ than in Finance. Do you think I should apply for other areas of study to improve my chances ? Do you think I can still target the top 20 with my profile ? Thank you in advance for your help !

03-25-2008, 12:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
doubtful Within my grasp! Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 406	Bloomsbury... I tell you what you should do to get into a top10 business school. Get a DEA in mathematical Finance, or Econometrics, or Statistics... that would boost you at the top of the list of the candidate...

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