Admissions<\/h2>\n<\/div>The MAFN program attracts students whose academic background is in quantitative areas such as mathematics, statistics, physics, economics, computer science, or engineering. Most have previous work experience or internship experience in finance.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Apply to the MAFN Program<\/span><\/a><\/div>Sign Up for Admissions Info Session<\/span><\/a><\/div>
\nWe are no longer holding information sessions for the Fall 2026 admission season.<\/b><\/span>\u200b<\/span><\/p>\nIf you would like to be contacted about information sessions or updates for future admission seasons, please leave your contact information in the Sign Up box above.\u200b <\/span>For questions about current admissions, please review the information below or contact the program at <\/span>mafnadmission@columbia.edu<\/a><\/span>.<\/a><\/p>\nQuestions related to the admissions portal and technical issues should be directed to GSAS at gsas-admissions@columbia.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/www.math.columbia.edu\/mafn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/mathematics-of-finance-16_51636384701_o-scaled-1.jpg\" "\\"mathematics-of-finance-16_51636384701_o-scaled\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>General Application Procedures<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nYou apply for admission to the program through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). For general rules and procedures, see the <\/span><\/a>GSAS webpage<\/span><\/a> and also the GSAS page about admission to the MAFN program<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>Additional MAFN Rules<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nThe following additional rules are in effect for applications to the Mathematics of Finance MA Program (MAFN Program).<\/p>\n
Program Starting Date and Application Deadline<\/b><\/p>\n
The MAFN program takes in new students only at the beginning of the Fall semester. There is no admission for the Spring semester.<\/p>\n
The final deadline to apply for Fall 2026 admission is May 1, 2026<\/b>. However, applicants who are currently enrolled as undergraduates or expect to complete their undergraduate degree after December 1, 2025, are strongly encouraged to apply by the early decision deadline of January 15, 2026<\/b>.<\/p>\n
The above deadlines also apply to supporting materials. This may differ from the general GSAS policy: Supporting Materials<\/a>.<\/p>\nDeferrals <\/b><\/p>\n
The MAFN Program no longer allows students to defer their admission. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Students who wish to delay their studies by a year must reapply to the program the following year.<\/p>\n
Prerequisites<\/b><\/p>\n
Applicants should have a very good working knowledge of calculus, linear algebra, elementary differential equations, probability and statistics, and a programming language.<\/p>\n
Exposure to advanced calculus and mathematical analysis, including measure theory, is desirable but not required.<\/p>\n
Texts recommended for self-study:<\/p>\n
Calculus: James Stewart, Calculus: Early Transcendentals.
\nAnalysis: Walter Rudin: Principles of Mathematical Analysis.
\nProbability & Statistics: Sheldon M. Ross: Introduction to Probability Models.
\nProgramming: Zed Shaw: Learn Python 3 the Hard Way.
\nQuant Interviews: Xinfeng Zhou: A Practical Guide to Quantitative Finance Interviews.<\/p>\n
Statement of Academic Purpose<\/b><\/p>\n
We strongly recommend that you limit the Statement of Academic Purpose to one page. It will be reviewed alongside your CV, so please use it to offer insight into your academic interests and goals\u2014not to repeat information already provided in the CV.<\/p>\n
Please address the following:<\/p>\n
Your statement should begin by clearly stating your primary goal for pursuing Columbia University\u2019s Mathematics of Finance (MAFN) program. This goal may include, but is not limited to, one of the following: placement in the financial industry, applying to a PhD program, and career advancement if you are already employed.<\/p>\n
Outline the steps you\u2019ve already taken to pursue this goal. List relevant coursework in mathematics, statistics, computer science, and programming (refer to the above). List projects, internships, research, or professional activities where you have used these skills.<\/p>\n
Describe why Columbia University\u2019s MAFN program is the right fit for achieving this goal.<\/p>\n
Letters of Recommendation<\/b><\/p>\n
A minimum of two academic references is required for all applicants. If you choose to include a recommendation from an internship supervisor, we strongly prefer that this reference be related to an in-person internship that lasted at least 2 months.<\/p>\n
Work Experience<\/b><\/p>\n
If you have previous work experience related to finance, then please make sure to mention it on your resume. It is a valuable part of your background for the purpose of admission to the MAFN program.<\/p>\n
Test Scores<\/b><\/p>\n
For information about the TOEFL\/IELTS requirement for international students, see Information for<\/span> International Students<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nMAFN applicants for September 2026 admissions are strongly encouraged but not required to submit GRE (general) scores or GMAT scores. GRE scores are preferred.<\/p>\n
Resume Guideline<\/strong><\/p>\nCV\/Resumes submitted by applicants to the MA program in Mathematics with a Specialization in the Mathematics of Finance should adhere to these Resume Guidelines<\/a> and include the following information:<\/p>\n\n- Email address (the one used to register on the application portal)<\/li>\n
- Internships: Please indicate whether the work was remote or in-person<\/span><\/li>\n
- Collegiate GPA, if not provided on your uploaded transcript(s)<\/li>\n
- \n
\n- Please Note: If your GPA is not on the 4.0 scale and you have used the WES iGPA Calculator, please upload a screenshot of that conversion via the Additional Information and Supplementary Media page of the application.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Optional: If you use LinkedIn or Github, please include the URL for your profile page<\/li>\n
- Optional: high school information if it supports your English proficiency (e.g., a school in an English-speaking country or an international school).<\/li>\n
- Alternative sections to Projects: Leadership, Activities, Awards, Publications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Tuition and Fees<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nFor information about estimated tuition, fees, and other expenses, see the webpage Cost of Attendance<\/a>, which is maintained by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Be aware that estimates for future semesters may not be known yet.<\/p>\nFull-time students who contemplate extending the program beyond two semesters need to be aware that this entails additional costs including, tuition and fees.<\/p>\n
Tuition for the MAFN program (and for most of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences) is determined according to the residence unit system. Tuition is generally not paid per class or per point\/credit.<\/p>\n
See the GSAS webpage Residence Unit and Other Registration Categories.<\/a><\/p>\nYour Registration Category, rather than registration for individual courses, provides the basis for tuition charges.<\/p>\n
For further information about which Registration C<\/span>ategory to choose, see the page Registration<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\nStudents are not expected to register for the summer session. This applies also to international students on F-1 or J-1 visas. The primary course offerings are in the Fall and Spring. Not many relevant courses are offered during the summer session.<\/p>\n
Some students receive financial aid from their employers or from national or governmental agencies. There is no financial aid offered by Columbia University for students in Mathematics of Finance.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
The MAFN program attracts students whose academic background is in quantitative areas such as mathematics, statistics, physics, economics, computer science, or engineering. Most have previous work experience or internship experience in finance.<\/p>\n<\/div>
If you would like to be contacted about information sessions or updates for future admission seasons, please leave your contact information in the Sign Up box above.\u200b <\/span>For questions about current admissions, please review the information below or contact the program at <\/span>mafnadmission@columbia.edu<\/a><\/span>.<\/a><\/p>\n Questions related to the admissions portal and technical issues should be directed to GSAS at gsas-admissions@columbia.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> You apply for admission to the program through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). For general rules and procedures, see the <\/span><\/a>GSAS webpage<\/span><\/a> and also the GSAS page about admission to the MAFN program<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> The following additional rules are in effect for applications to the Mathematics of Finance MA Program (MAFN Program).<\/p>\n Program Starting Date and Application Deadline<\/b><\/p>\n The MAFN program takes in new students only at the beginning of the Fall semester. There is no admission for the Spring semester.<\/p>\n The final deadline to apply for Fall 2026 admission is May 1, 2026<\/b>. However, applicants who are currently enrolled as undergraduates or expect to complete their undergraduate degree after December 1, 2025, are strongly encouraged to apply by the early decision deadline of January 15, 2026<\/b>.<\/p>\n The above deadlines also apply to supporting materials. This may differ from the general GSAS policy: Supporting Materials<\/a>.<\/p>\n Deferrals <\/b><\/p>\n The MAFN Program no longer allows students to defer their admission. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Students who wish to delay their studies by a year must reapply to the program the following year.<\/p>\n Prerequisites<\/b><\/p>\n Applicants should have a very good working knowledge of calculus, linear algebra, elementary differential equations, probability and statistics, and a programming language.<\/p>\n Exposure to advanced calculus and mathematical analysis, including measure theory, is desirable but not required.<\/p>\n Texts recommended for self-study:<\/p>\n Calculus: James Stewart, Calculus: Early Transcendentals. Statement of Academic Purpose<\/b><\/p>\n We strongly recommend that you limit the Statement of Academic Purpose to one page. It will be reviewed alongside your CV, so please use it to offer insight into your academic interests and goals\u2014not to repeat information already provided in the CV.<\/p>\n Please address the following:<\/p>\n Your statement should begin by clearly stating your primary goal for pursuing Columbia University\u2019s Mathematics of Finance (MAFN) program. This goal may include, but is not limited to, one of the following: placement in the financial industry, applying to a PhD program, and career advancement if you are already employed.<\/p>\n Outline the steps you\u2019ve already taken to pursue this goal. List relevant coursework in mathematics, statistics, computer science, and programming (refer to the above). List projects, internships, research, or professional activities where you have used these skills.<\/p>\n Describe why Columbia University\u2019s MAFN program is the right fit for achieving this goal.<\/p>\n Letters of Recommendation<\/b><\/p>\n A minimum of two academic references is required for all applicants. If you choose to include a recommendation from an internship supervisor, we strongly prefer that this reference be related to an in-person internship that lasted at least 2 months.<\/p>\n Work Experience<\/b><\/p>\n If you have previous work experience related to finance, then please make sure to mention it on your resume. It is a valuable part of your background for the purpose of admission to the MAFN program.<\/p>\n Test Scores<\/b><\/p>\n For information about the TOEFL\/IELTS requirement for international students, see Information for<\/span> International Students<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n MAFN applicants for September 2026 admissions are strongly encouraged but not required to submit GRE (general) scores or GMAT scores. GRE scores are preferred.<\/p>\n Resume Guideline<\/strong><\/p>\n CV\/Resumes submitted by applicants to the MA program in Mathematics with a Specialization in the Mathematics of Finance should adhere to these Resume Guidelines<\/a> and include the following information:<\/p>\n For information about estimated tuition, fees, and other expenses, see the webpage Cost of Attendance<\/a>, which is maintained by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Be aware that estimates for future semesters may not be known yet.<\/p>\n Full-time students who contemplate extending the program beyond two semesters need to be aware that this entails additional costs including, tuition and fees.<\/p>\n Tuition for the MAFN program (and for most of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences) is determined according to the residence unit system. Tuition is generally not paid per class or per point\/credit.<\/p>\n See the GSAS webpage Residence Unit and Other Registration Categories.<\/a><\/p>\n Your Registration Category, rather than registration for individual courses, provides the basis for tuition charges.<\/p>\n For further information about which Registration C<\/span>ategory to choose, see the page Registration<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Students are not expected to register for the summer session. This applies also to international students on F-1 or J-1 visas. The primary course offerings are in the Fall and Spring. Not many relevant courses are offered during the summer session.<\/p>\n Some students receive financial aid from their employers or from national or governmental agencies. There is no financial aid offered by Columbia University for students in Mathematics of Finance.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nWe are no longer holding information sessions for the Fall 2026 admission season.<\/b><\/span>\u200b<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>General Application Procedures<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Additional MAFN Rules<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\nAnalysis: Walter Rudin: Principles of Mathematical Analysis.
\nProbability & Statistics: Sheldon M. Ross: Introduction to Probability Models.
\nProgramming: Zed Shaw: Learn Python 3 the Hard Way.
\nQuant Interviews: Xinfeng Zhou: A Practical Guide to Quantitative Finance Interviews.<\/p>\n\n
\n
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Tuition and Fees<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>