herewego

Dear all, I am graduating currently in Engineering and applied maths (master of eng and MS). I am offered a RA (three months at least) at a Max Planck Institute, in a field related to my research interests and with funding. I plan to apply for graduate program in CS and applied maths at ETHZ and in the US in the fall. What in your mind would be most rewarding as a gap year: lab research (with no publication in such short period) or further master studies in France (a program in research in CS and in biocomp are appealing, with 6 months courses and 6 months research thesis), or even R&D professional exp? Would you encourage working as a RA outside an academic program? Have you had such similar experience? Are US universities open to people with one year professional exp; in R&D or would it be a deterrent? Another poorly related question: what are good maths subject GRE scores? What was your study material and your grades (and where were you accepted)? Regard, H.

Dear all, I am graduating in engineering (MEng, general eng., electrical eng., computer science) and applied maths (MS) in good institutions in France. I am also holding bachelor in Economics (honours). I have GPA 3.8 for bachelor, 4.0 in master of engineering if I consider major only. GRE general is bad: Q770, V550, A3.5. I am sitting the maths test later. I would like to have some advice about application to grad school in the USA and in Zurich: I have been admitted in Stanford MS&E for 2011 (and deferred entry to 2012). However I made up my mind this year for further applied math and CS studies, and I now consider a research job later in the field (in industry lab). I have no idea where I can apply: I have no serious research background: only a few school projects (3 for bachelor, 2 of them with poor 13/20 results, 3 for masters, one of them only being really significant), one semester on a research project in a field I dont wish to study in my grad studies, in a firm. Should I wait before application to gain research/industry R&D experience? Or is it relevant to apply for master and then phd studies without lab research? What could be chances to enter ms program in CS or applied maths at ETHZ, or ICME at Stanford? Can I decently send an application to Cornell/Berkeley? Would it be better idea to go to Stanford and ask for transfer? Next academic year I will most probably not be enrolled in an academic program. But I still have the opportunity to apply for MS in CS in France before Sept. I have also a research opportunity at Max Planck institute as RA with funding ; do you think Master is more valuable than research exp. and would you advice go work as a RA outside from a thesis program? Would it be significant as well to find a position as a R&D engineer? Finally, are universities likely to offer a position as a RA outside a master program, just for a gap year? Sincerely, H.

Hello, I want to ask open question: do you think a US phd can be of use for a job outside the academic sector: banking, responsibility role in firm? Do you know some combined PhD MBA programs? What about a quantitave PhD (mathematics, Engineering, Econometrics) to work in IB? (ex. PhD in top US school Stanford Yale + CFA) I am sure some of you can react bringing details of their experience. Regards

Hello, I will graduate French School of Engineering (top 5) this year, major in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. I have also a bachelor 2:1 in Applied Economics(2010), and I am studying for a MRes in Applied Mathematics besides Engineering studies (exp. 2011). I am not very satisfied about my eng. background and I would like to work in finance (modelling and market finance if I work directly after graduation, or economic research / corporate finance I go on with a MsC finance). I am really interested in LSE Finance & Economics: it looks quite quantitative, it is a one year program, it seems to give a large choice after graduation (market finance, corporate, economic research, consultancy), LSE is well known in UK, Europe, world (?) That's the idea I have of the course. I would like to have your advice on pursuing with this MsC. In particular, I would like to have your opinion about career opportunities after this MsC: - is it suited for market finance (with a quantitative MsC as a background)? for corporate finance? - what are alumni mostly doing after graduation (incl. salaries after graduation, type of employers)? - do you think my not finance background at bachelor level could be a disadvantage if I decide to move to corporate finance jobs after this MsC (I would have 5 years of Maths and Eng. behind me, and only one year specialization in finance)? - is is suited to pursue with a phd in finance/operations research/economics? Then, what could be equivalent courses in the UK/ in Europe that could be comparable to this MsC (same reputation, same career possibilities) (ex. in Switzerland) ? To sum up, I would like to have your picture of what alumni at MsC F&E do after graduation, and I thank you either for details or for indications about previous topics in a forum. Finally, how fierce is competition, and does my background sounds good to be admitted? Regards.

Hello, I will graduate French School of Engineering (top 5) this year, major in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. I have also a bachelor 2:1 in Applied Economics(2010), and I am studying for a MRes in Applied Mathematics besides Engineering studies (exp. 2011). I am not very satisfied about my eng. background and I would like to work in finance (modelling and market finance if I work directly after graduation, or economic research / corporate finance I go on with a MsC finance). I am really interested in LSE Finance & Economics: it looks quite quantitative, it is a one year program, it seems to give a large choice after graduation (market finance, corporate, economic research, consultancy), LSE is well known in UK, Europe, world (?) That's the idea I have of the course. I would like to have your advice on pursuing with this MsC. In particular, I would like to have your opinion about career opportunities after this MsC: - is it suited for market finance (with a quantitative MsC as a background)? for corporate finance? - what are alumni mostly doing after graduation (incl. salaries after graduation, type of employers)? - do you think my not finance background at bachelor level could be a disadvantage if I decide to move to corporate finance jobs after this MsC (I would have 5 years of Maths and Eng. behind me, and only one year specialization in finance)? - is is suited to pursue with a phd in finance/operations research/economics? Then, what could be equivalent courses in the UK/ in Europe that could be comparable to this MsC (same reputation, same career possibilities) (ex. in Switzerland) ? To sum up, I would like to have your picture of what alumni at MsC F&E do after graduation, and I thank you either for details or for indications about previous topics in a forum. Finally, how fierce is competition, and does my background sounds good to be admitted? Regards.

Bonjour, I would like to know more about LSE and US Operation Research MsC / PhD programs. Which background is most suitable to enter the course? I am currently studying engineering (top school in France ; applied maths, computer science, artificial intelligence and economics) at MEng level, and economics at BA level. I consider completing a MsC in statistics or applied mathematics before applying to LSE. Do you think a MsC in applied maths from ETH Zurich / from a UK school like UCL / from a French top university would be convenient to enter LSE MsC/PhD program? I ask the same question for a PhD in OR in the US : does an engineering background sound convenient to apply to a MPhil + PhD program in Management of Technology and Operation Research (OR is often proposed by the management of tech. dpt)? Do I have to pursue first a MsC in OR from such dpt, or can I apply directly to a PhD? Is it possible to receive a MPhil if i decide not to pursue in a phd? Are then assistantship available during the MPhil studies ? Did some of you got a grant for MsC / PhD studies ? I am looking for advice from anybody having studied or being studying OR in the UK / US, or other places. Could you indicate your background previous to OR studies / your career path after graduation? I would be very pleased to receive a MP from you if you agree to start a conversation in order to make a few points clearer about OR studies. Regards.