What to include in your 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.


Posted by scroggs ( Nov 21 2007, 10:15:55 AM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]

Can't take the GRE before Feb. 1 Q: I want to ask whether it would be worthwhile to give the GRE subject test on April 12th- the next date. Because the scores of this test would only be reported by 23rd May. Will it be too late by then and will the GRE subject test be helpful to you to assess the application?

A: Since the GRE is only recommended, and we will process most (all?) applications in the first few weeks of February, taking the test in April would not help most students.  The exception would be for students that do not have high marks (grades) in their courses.  These student might need to demonstrated their knowledge by taking the GRE subject test.


Posted by scroggs ( Nov 21 2007, 10:06:19 AM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]

Employment History 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. 

I invite you to visit the NCSU FM Jobs Blog that I created about a month ago, and the IAFE web site.  Visit http://www.math.ncsu.edu/finmath/links.html


Posted by scroggs ( Nov 18 2007, 09:26:41 PM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]

What are my chances of being admitted? We do not pre-screen applications.  To know if you will be admitted, you must apply to the program (link at the website below).

You are encouraged to compare your scores with the information posted on the website

http://www.math.ncsu.edu/finmath/req.html




Posted by scroggs ( Nov 16 2007, 09:30:53 AM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]

Is the TOEFL required?
Q: I want to apply the Mater of Finance Mathematical in your shcool ,and I do not know if you also accept IELTS ; I just have IELTS score. And I have not find any words about IELTS on your website, so I do not know if your shcool accept TOEFL only.

A: This is a university-wide requirement related to supporting your student visa.  As far as I know, there are no exceptions to the TOEFL requirement; however, you can submit your application in anticipation of passing the TOEFL in January or February.

http://www.ncsu.edu/grad/handbook/section2_3.php#toefl

Posted by scroggs ( Nov 11 2007, 09:00:49 AM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]

Is the Math GRE Required? You may still apply without the GRE Subject test, but students that demonstrate advanced math knowledge using the GRE will be treated favorably. 
Posted by scroggs ( Nov 10 2007, 12:56:57 PM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]

Financial Support There is no substantial financial support provided by NCSU for FM students, as indicated at
http://www.math.ncsu.edu/finmath/scholarships.html; however, several students have obtained part-time internships (e.g. SAS and Duke University).

Posted by scroggs ( Oct 25 2007, 08:44:52 AM EDT ) Permalink Comments [0]