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Make sure you’ve answered all questions and the application is complete.

Please follow the guidelines below, not the general instructions on the application. Be concise. Your statement of purpose should be no longer than two double-spaced pages or one single-spaced page. 

• Share your views on the financial industry, including why you’re interested in it and what aspects of it excite you most.
• Explain why you’ve decided to pursue an advanced degree in quantitative finance and why you’re interested in Mathematics in Finance at NYU Courant. Describe your background as it relates to your career plans and goals. Why do you feel that quantitative finance is the ideal field for you? If quantitative finance represents a change in your career path, share the reasons you’ve decided to pivot in this new direction. 
• As clearly as you can, share your career plans and goals. This could range from “a career somewhere in the financial industry” to “running a desk and trading exotic emerging credit derivatives at BNP in London using my language skills and knowledge of Latin American markets.” 
• Share the steps you’ve taken to learn about the financial industry and prepare for the Mathematics in Finance program at NYU Courant.
• Please feel free to provide any additional information that will help us better understand you, your background and goals, and your application.

The most impactful letters of recommendation come from individuals who have personally witnessed your mathematical talent in challenging situations. Generally, these individuals are instructors of advanced courses that are specifically mathematical or heavily quantitative, such as science, engineering, or economics courses. 

Your talent for, and preparation in, mathematics is perhaps the most important consideration for admission to the program. This talent and preparation could be represented by straightforward mathematics courses, or by highly mathematical courses in engineering, economics, or the sciences. Full-time applicants are encouraged to submit at least one letter that describes their academic mathematical abilities and at least one letter that describes their computer science and/or programming academic work. If you have significant work experience, a letter from your manager that describes your technical accomplishments would be appreciated. Only submit more than three (3) letters of recommendation if the additional letters provide significant new information. Two things to keep in mind:

1. Letters of recommendation are not character references. As such, please refrain from asking for letters from individuals who do not have first-person insight into your mathematical and technical abilities. 
2. Never write letters of recommendation yourself. You might provide your recommenders with a resume, transcript, or a few details about yourself, but under no circumstances should you ever write a letter of recommendation yourself.

We require official scores from the general GRE test, but we also encourage applicants to submit official scores from Subject GRE tests in mathematics, physics, or other highly quantitative disciplines. We may waive the GRE requirement for applicants who hold a highly quantitative  PhD. Please email GSAS admissions to request PhD waiver instructions.

The institution code for NYU GSAS is: 2596. You will need this for both the GRE and TOEFL tests.

The department code is: 99. You will only need this for the TOEFL test.

Full-time applicants are required to submit a short video statement along with their application. Our preliminary screening of applicants utilizes both your written statement of purpose and your video submission. Your video will be evaluated for its content, not its technical quality. Please see below for video guidelines.

• Your video should be no longer than five (5) minutes.
• In your video, please respond to one of the following prompts:
  • Describe a challenging experience or project and explain its relevance to your prospective career in quantitative finance. 
  • If your career goals involve a particular type of quantitative finance, share what type of quantitative finance that is and why it suits you.

Please submit a professional quality resume, suggested formats for which can be found online. For your work experience, please provide the firm and division where you worked, your dates of employment, the location of the firm, and a brief overview of your activities there. Please include major non-academic and non-technical activities as well, such as military service, performing arts, or community service along with dates and locations. Lastly, please provide your educational background, including institutions, dates of attendance, and details of your degree(s), concentration(s), awards, GPA, thesis title, etc.

For non-degree study, please enter the following department and field of study codes on the paper application: Non-Degree Study: MATF MAF

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