MSC FINANCIAL ENGINEERING

Taking Steps to Better Her Application to the Nanyang Business School (NBS), MSc in Financial Engineering Programme

Zhang Qinzhu, currently a student of the MSc in Financial Engineering (MFE) programme, has always wanted to pursue a graduate degree. She applied to NBS  but felt that she could have done better for her admissions interview. She decided to consult the Admissions Office about it and took steps to improve her application. Here, she shares more.

Qinzhu:  Besides Singapore, I had also applied to universities in the US because both countries are well -established global financial hubs with advanced developments and career opportunities in financial engineering. I received offers from both sides but eventually chose Singapore because its COVID-19 management measures have assured me that it will be a safe place for my studies.

What drew you to take up the MFE programme at Nanyang Business School?

Qinzhu: Four things about the MFE programme stood out for me. First, I cherish the opportunity to study in a prestigious, top-ranked university. Second, there are many NBS alumni connections in China, so I am confident that I will be well-connected back home. Third, one of the MFE’s mini-terms will be conducted at Carnegie Mellon University – and I’m really looking forward to studying in one of the world’s top engineering colleges! Finally, the MFE curriculum and schedule are very practical for people like me, who do not have a solid foundation in finance. After just attending a few finance courses here, I can already say that my foundation is firming up.

Tell us more about your interest in financial engineering.

Qinzhu: My interest in financial engineering was piqued when my friends invited me to participate in a quantitative investment competition for college students in 2019. While they majored in finance, I had a degree in software engineering. So they built the investment model and I coded it for the presentation. We didn’t end up winning the competition but my horizons were broadened.

After that, I signed up for some courses to learn more about financial engineering. Over time, my interest in the subject grew, and I made up my mind to further my studies in computer science, particularly in finance, and I aspire to pursue a career as a quantitative analyst in a top financial institutions.

How did you prepare for your MFE admissions interview?

Qinzhu: I did my research and gathered information about the MFE programme’s curriculum as well as the workload to expect. These preparations made clear to me the reasons I want to enter the programme and also let me guage my level of competitiveness as a candidate.

Knowing that there would be calculus and linear algebra questions during the adminssions interview, I prepared for them in advance. During the interview, I was asked why I wanted to change my major to financial engineering, and about my last internship experience. But as we moved on to the mathematical segment, I was so nervous that I made several mistakes, and I was so worried that I would fail my admission!

I decided to email the Admissions Office to address and explain the mistakes I had made during the interview. The Admissions Office responded promptly, and it gave comfort that I could have this open communication with the university.

How is life like as a graduate student during the pandemic?

Qinzhu: I think we still get the same quality of learning and interactions even during a pandemic. I have come to realise that an important aspect of the programme experience is the interaction and inter-learning among the high-calibre students in my intake, and I have met so many excellent classmates here. They are intelligent, professional, hardworking, and helpful. Learning alongside them is exciting and very motivating at the same time.

Our classes were conducted online for one month, and everyone – from the professors to the students  – took the classes very seriously. I learnt that with good class participation, online classes can indeed be as interactive as physical classroom ones.

Aside from the pandemic, the workload for the programme is rigorous, and I’ve not met another student who is as busy as an MFE student.

There are many courses to take and assignments to tackle in a short time frame of six semesters. On the bright side, the intensive curriculum means I really have to focus and study hard to soak up all the knowledge faster.

What advice do you have to give to aspiring students of the MFE programme?

Qinzhu: First, work hard on your undergraduate studies to get a good score. Prepare for your interview earlier. Don’t be like me who wasn’t adequately prepared for the math during the interview and risked failing to make the programme admission.

Next, have clarity. Be clear about what you want from your graduate studies, which career paths you intend to pursue, and know your strengths and weaknesses. Ask yourself, for example: Am I suited for quantitative finance or are there some other careers that would suit me better? Which are some of my past and present working experiences that can support my application for the MFE programme?

Finally, don’t get upset if you find yourself on the waiting list. Find ways to make up for the inadequacies in your application and communicate them openly with the Admissions Office, who will offer you as much assistance as they can and you can proceed from there.

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