Pre-screening applications

We do not prescreen applications.  If you wish to be considered for admission to the  program, apply using the link at the "Requirements" webpage.  All your application materials should be sent through the web portal.  Please do not email us your credentials.  The  only way to have your application screened is by submitting an application using the link provided.

RSS Feed

This blog provides a way to track posts, very similar to the way you monitor email.  A brief explanation  about how to use RSS feeds is provided at www4.ncsu.edu/~scroggs/mywebsite/RSSfeeds.pdf.

GRE Subject Test

The GRE subject test is not required.  This, and other information about the requirements can be discovered using the 'search' box at the bottom of the website.

Prerequisite Expectations

Q: I am interested in applying for the Financial Math program next Fall 2011. I took a look at the Web site and but could not find the list of undegrad courses I should take prior to applying to the program. Would you help me find it?

A: The prerequisites of the core classes are listed on the site for newly admitted students (link).  Talented students that do not have the prerequisites might be admitted with the purpose of taking some remedial classes, but such students should expect to be in the program longer than students who do have the background.

Assistantships

Q: Does your department offer graduate assistantships?

A: No.  The financial support available to students is explained in the website.

TOEFL & GRE Waivers

Q: Can the GRE requirement be waived because I have a PhD.

A: The GRE is required.  If you submit your application without GRE scores, you may delay the admissions decision. If you seek a waiver for this requirement, explain why you should be considered without recent scores in your personal statement. 

Q: Can the TOEFL requirement be waived?

A: The TOEFL is a university requirement.  Follow the link at our website to see if you must take the test. 

Application Focus

Q: To what background will the admission committee pay more attention in the process of reviewing application?

A: As indicated below (link), there is no single element that is considered to be most important for all applications.

Enrollment Demographics

Q: How many students do we expect to start each Fall?

A: We expect to enroll about 20 students each Fall. Total Enrollment is expected to be between 40 and 45, with about 70% of the students from outside the United States.

Spring Start Date

Starting the MFM Program in Spring or Summer is rare, but could be useful for some students. For example, students that did not major in Mathematics or Statistics might benefit from taking courses such as ST 371/372, MA 401, MA 405, etc.

To take classes at NCSU you must either be admitted to a degree program, or you must register as a non-degree student (NDS). Taking classes at NCSU will not automatically qualify you for admission to the program.

If you seek a start date other than Fall then you should explain the purpose of the alternate start date in your application. The only way to apply to the program is via the web through Apply Yourself.

General questions about the program.

Q 1.How many students in this program? And what the percentage of the students come from other countries rather than U.S?

A: There are about 40 students in the program -- we expect about 20 students to start each Fall semester0. Visit the website to view a list of currently enrolled students.

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Q 3.Is there any possibility for students finishing their gradute study in this major in one year and a half?

A: Yes, many students complete an internship/project the first summer, and finish at the end of their second Fall semester.

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Q 4.If I finish the letter in the attachment does it mean I have to refuse all other schools I applied to? If so, is there a deadline for accepting your offer?

A: We hope that your acceptance of our offer is genuine; however, it is not a contract, and we cannot impose any conditions on offers from other schools. There is no firm deadline for a decision. Accepting the offer to attend NCSU and paying your deposit starts the visa process, and you should allow plenty of time for this.

Application: Personal Statement

Use the Personal Statement to provide information that would result in a more favorable review of your application. Make your application easy to read and understand. Some sample topics you can include in your Personal Statement are listed below. You are not required to include this information, but it could be helpful.

• Provide a statement that explains your interest in (and dedication to) financial mathematics. Shorter statements are preferred. Longer statements only help if many words are required to explain your interests and motivations.
• If your marks are not all A's and B's (80-100%), but your school rarely gives A's and B's, providean explanation of the grading scales in your Personal Statement.
• Provide your class rank (if you rank high at your school).
• If coverage of the topics we require for admission to the program (link) isn't obvious, provide an explanation of which course coverred which topic. For example, courses with titles like "Advanced Mathematics" and "Applied Mathematics I" do not help us understand whether or not you have the background for our program.
• Provide information about your letter-writers, especially if they have a prestigous position at your school, or if they are a high-level manager in a company.
• If you submit extra material, such as certificates or awards, provide the context and significance of the awards.

You can submit a revised Personal Statement via email to Financial_Mathematics@ncsu.edu.

Letters in support of your application.

Applications are considered as a whole package, so there are no limits on GPA or GRE scores. A weakness in one part of your application can be balanced by a strength in another part of your application.

Recommendation letters should address your work ethic, your academic ability, and your determination to succeed. Choose letter-writers that will address these issues. At least one letter should address your quantitative (math) abilities.

We may not be familiar with the people writing you letters, so use your personal statement to inform us of the background of the people who write you letters.

Admission for Spring start date.

Q: Is there a spring semester admission? If there is, when is the deadline of application for international students?

A: Spring admission could be used to take courses that are generally considered remedial for the program, to prepare you to start taking required courses in Fall. Our expectations regarding your background can be found in the website (link). You should explain your request to start in Spring using your Personal Statement.

The deadline for full consideration for Fall is the Graduate School Priority Deadline. (For Spring, it is the Program Deadline.)

Applications arriving after the deadline for submission.

If some of your materials will be available after the deadline, we ask that you submit as much as you can (paying the fee) by the deadline. No application will be denied just because it is incomplete. The FM Program Deadline permits us to make admissions decisions early enough for visa applications to be processed. Decisions made later in the year might have enough time to obtain a visa.

The standards may increase as we get closer to the start of Fall Semester; however, we can admit students fairly close to the the start of the semester (depending on qualifications and space available).

Archive: What are the job prospects for quants from NCSU?

The prospects for Financial Math/Financial Engineering is tremendous, and the graduates of our program are landing great career oriented jobs. The IAFE web site provides a good view of the market as a whole, and the career paths of graduates of the NCSU program reflect this outlook. If you are fascinated by quantitative analysis of markets and pricing and have mathematical talent, FM/FE is a great career path.

Visit the links page for some additional information.

Archive: Here are my credentials -- will I be admitted?

Applicants are required to apply online. All applications are considered; however, we do not pre-screen applications. Our expectations for new students are available at http://www.math.ncsu.edu/finmath/req.html, with a little more detail at http://www.math.ncsu.edu/finmath/newStudentsPrerequisites.html

Is the TOEFL Required?

Visit the link at http://www.math.ncsu.edu/finmath/req.html to discover if you are required. The requirement is firm -- there are no waivers for special circumstances.

Archive: Is the Math GRE Subject test required?

No. The Math GRE does provide useful information, but it is not required.

Archive: Is the GRE Required?

Yes. You may submit scores for other exams, but the general GRE exam is required.

New location for the Prospects' blog

This blog replaces the original NCSU Financial Mathematics Prospects' Blog.