Admission Requirements

The Financial Mathematics Program seeks candidates with strong math skills, relevant work experience, and basic computer programming skills. We admit driven individuals that come from diverse educational, social, and geographic backgrounds. Candidates should be able to demonstrate excellence in both academics and leadership.

- Resume/CV (Please list your entire work history on your resume, including start and end dates, locations, and indicate if the position was full or part-time.) 

- Transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended

- 3 Candidate Statements (Each statement should be no longer than 250 words.)

  1. What has been your greatest shortcoming in preparing for the Financial Mathematics program and what steps have you taken to succeed in spite of this oversight? 
  2. How does this program/university/city align with your career goals?
  3. Is there any additional information pertaining to your overall candidate profile that would be helpful to the committee to know?

- Video Statements

- 3 Letters of Recommendation (At least one letter should be from a professional reference.)
 

All candidates should have a solid background in mathematics. The minimal math prerequisites are the successful completion of at least multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and probability.

Because our Program is accelerated, and because the coursework is dense and demanding, we cannot afford to be flexible about our math requirements. Those without adequate math skills will find it difficult to keep up with the fast pace of the Program.

In addition to academic mathematical training and work experience, candidates with basic computer programming skills, especially in C++ or other object-oriented languages, as well as experience in Python, will have an advantage in the Program. All students are required to take at least 250 units of Computing coursework within the FINM degree program. 

Although many candidates without work experience are accepted, we strongly encourage those with relevant work experience to apply to the Program and to include this information in their applications. Candidates with industrial experience oftentimes find that they have an extra level of confidence in their decision to pursue a career in the financial industry. Although this is not as strict a requirement as the math skills, we do give this a fair amount of consideration.

 The Financial Mathematics Program requires all candidates to meet basic English language requirements by submitting either TOEFL or IELTS scores, except in the cases listed below. Exams must be taken within two years of the application deadline. Policy in the Physical Sciences Division requires a score of at least 90 on the TOEFL or 7 IELTS, unless other demonstrable evidence of English proficiency is available. The Financial Mathematics Program does not impose a fixed standard TOEFL or IELTS scores beyond that required by the Division, but generally prefers candidates with scores significantly higher than the minimum requirements.

Exception - English language requirements are waived for those who meet any one or more of the following conditions:

(a) English has been a primary language of communication and schooling for you since childhood
(b) or you were enrolled for at least one academic year in full-time status in a course of study at an accredited English-medium post-secondary institution in one of the following countries or territories within the past ten years: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, the United States.

Please Note
Education in English-medium institutions in other countries or territories does not qualify for the exemption. High school or secondary school does not qualify an applicant for exemption; nor do part-time or research-based programs that did not involve full time coursework in English.

In order to meet the proof of proficiency requirement, students may submit either:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test (iBT) or
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic  – Note: applicants are required to take the Academic Reading/Writing test within IELTS, not the General Training Reading/Writing test.
  • Any other proficiency tests, exams, equivalent coursework, certificate/certifications, endorsement from faculty, and/or other measurement other than the TOEFL or IELTS are not accepted.

TOEFL Institution Code: 1832
TOEFL Department Code: 72

The GRE is not required of any applicant. Applicants are welcome to use a GRE score to enhance their application. GRE scores may be self-reported when the application is submitted online, but the official reports from ETS must follow in order for the score to be verified and considered a part of the application. GRE scores are only valid if the exam was taken within five years of the application deadline.

GRE Institution Code: 1832
GRE Department Code: 0799
(If the Department Code 0799 does not appear as an option, please search for, and select, "Mathematical Science - Other")

Please do not submit GMAT scores, high school transcripts, thesis from master's or doctoral programs, or professional or academic publications, as we do not consider these materials during the admissions process. 

Round 1: January 11, 2024
Round 2: March 21, 2024

Deadlines are inclusive of applications and supplemental materials like letters of recommendation and verified test scores. Offers of admission will be sent on a rolling basis via email. There is no priority of admission given to Round 1 versus Round 2 applicants. We recommend non-US citizens apply in Round 1 to allow sufficient time for processing visa documentation.