Admissions

The QMF program is small, specialized and highly rigorous.  It usually takes two years to complete.  Admission is on a rolling basis with a target of admitting between 2 and 6 students per year, which translates into approximately 8 students in the program at any point in time. 

To be considered for the program, a candidate must complete an application, even if he or she is already enrolled in another program at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.  Early or preliminary assessments of a candidate's chance of admission are not provided.  While students typically begin the program in the Fall, applicants who are in residence at UW-Madison may begin the program in the Spring semester. 

Admission is extremely competitive.  To be considered, candidates must have completed and performed well in the prerequisite courses: 3 semesters of calculus, and 1 semester each of linear algebra, differential equations and probability theory.  A candidate who completes additional advancd courses in mathematics and statistics beyond the requirements increases his or her chance of acceptance into the program. If as a potential applicant you are curious regarding the level of knowledge required of our students, read the book Heard on the Street: Quantitative Questions from Wall Street Job Interviews by T.F. Crack, which is available at Amazon.com. Applicants must enter the program with a mastery of the required mathematical tools so that they are able to focus the program's curriculum on finance applications. 

Candidates are evaluated on their full record.  This includes the quality of their undergraduate and/or graduate institution, the courses they have taken, GPA, GMAT or GRE score, TOEFL if applicable, statement of purpose, and recommendations. Either the GMAT or GRE is acceptable; we do not require that applicants complete both.  In addition, TOEFL is required for applicants whose native language is not English, unless the applicant has completed 4 or more semesters at a university where all courses are taught in English.  There is no explicit minimum acceptable level for an applicant's GPA, GMAT or GRE; however, in keeping with the graduate school guidelines we do not accept applicants with a TOEFL below 250 (600 on the paper version).  Work experience is desirable, but is not required for admission.  Prospective students may be interviewed either in person or by telephone.

Due to the nature of the program as well as the mathematics prerequisites, many QMF applicants have, or are working toward, graduate degrees in economics, engineering, finance, mathematics and statistics.  All candidates are judged with respect to the objectives of the program.  Specifically, we expect QMF students to seek careers in the financial industry.  Students with no intention of using their quant skills while working within the financial industry are discouraged from applying.  Furthermore, while we admit applicants who transfer from other programs, concurrent work within a second program of study in addition to the QMF degree is strongly discouraged.

Prospective candidates wishing to apply to the Quantitative Masters in Finance Program may obtain the application materials from:  Application materials and instructions.  Please note that the deadline for admission is March 15th.

Supplemental application materials may be sent to the following address:

Belle Heberling, PhD/MS Coordinator
UW-Madison School of Business
975 University Avenue, Suite 1149
Madison, WI 53706
Email: bheberling@bus.wisc.edu