Posts by mobiusfn

mobiusfn

Jan 2, 2012

Graduate / why you are a good student for MPPPA :YOUR BA TRAINING,SCORE,RESEARCH, WORK [2]

These values have left an indelible mark on my intellectual conscience, fueling a desire to pursue a career path in development that is regional and continental, with the view of impacting positively the politics -policy orientation at the inter-governmental level.

This sentence can easily be broken into two.

I breathed life into this dream through my project work titled "Children's Protection on Internet" , w here I looked at the policy and institutional structures placed to secure the internet environment of the United State of America vis a vis Ghana's experience.

Break this sentence as well.

I must say comparative institutional and policy administration is of greatest interest to me, because it set standards and offers one the opportunity to gauge it. - rewrite this sentence; the last it is ambiguous.

Studying ,adjusting and replicating policy success stories is at the bottom (I think core can replace bottom) of my intellectual quest , and I find no other institution better placed, not only to given a training that is top notch ,but the bilingual component of the program is most fitting to helping me realize a career as a policy analyst on a regional stage .

break this statement as well.

Three internship experiences in institutions such as Catholic Action for Street Children, Department of Social Welfare and Federation of Youth Clubs has bestowed an appreciation for operations of organizations at the grass root ; an opportunity to identify policy at work and getting to witness what I call policy -politics implementation paradoxes.

My obvious strength lies in the five years of work in administrative and management position with Osu Children's Library Fund, Canada and Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana. Coordinating affairs between Public and Private Entities has brought home the many issues of governments falling victim of apathy on projects that do not inure direct political score or bring in votes, and the highlight of public private partnership in social services that is an emerging paradigm in community development.

break this sentence.

I think you have written well; you just need to break a couple of sentences to make them more appealing.

mobiusfn

Jan 2, 2012

Graduate / 'mathematics and its applications' - Essay For FE Masters Program [5]

My short-term goal is to get associated as a quantitative trader with a reputed desk.

Using this sentence I want to tell that I want to become a trader in the short term. As traders work in groups for a particular product, the groups are termed as desks. Hence, I used desk.

I think, in this context experience is a better word than associated, as shows it gives a feeling that I will do something. Associated is more of a neutral word, which doesn't signify much.

Thanks for your advice.

mobiusfn

Jan 2, 2012

Graduate / 'the way to reason mathematical theorems' - my background and preparation [2]

Please review this essay. Please also comment on the overall structure of the essay. I have used the word helped many times; not sure how to restructure the sentences to get rid of one or two of them.

Describe your background and preparation in the four concentration areas - finance, computer science, math and statistics. In particular, please detail your background in calculus-based probability. If your only exposure to probability was as part of a course that combined probability and statistics, please list the probability topics covered by this course.

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During my five-year coursework at XXX, I came across a multitude of mathematical science courses. The first three semesters at XXX focused on mathematical analysis, linear algebra, calculus-based probability and statistical methods. The courses set the foundation for the advanced courses taken at later semesters.

Courses on mathematical analysis and linear algebra taught me the way to reason mathematical theorems. While linear transformation approach to linear algebra helped me to easily visualize and grasp important mathematical results, the theorems and concepts of mathematical analysis eased my way to learn measure-theoretic probability. Statistical methods introduced me to the standard methods of statistical analysis.

The foundation courses while helped me to understand and establish advance statistical concepts, the courses also provided me with new perspectives to look at various statistical results. The idea that linear regression can be seen as a projection, gave me insights to approach statistical problems from multiple directions.

The advanced courses introduced me to the novel branches of statistics such as machine learning, decision theory, and time series analysis. Introduction to various topics such as clustering, classification, and statistical sampling, enhanced my statistical skills. I learned that one needs to be mindful of outliers and the curse of dimensionality while doing data analysis. I successfully applied my learning to various projects I undertook.

At XXX, I also took four computer programming courses. The courses taught me the fundamentals of programming, the principles of database management systems, and the advance concepts of numerical analysis and data structures. The courses, projects and assignments helped me to gain an expertise in few programming languages and statistical softwares. At XXX, on an average, I devoted about one hour everyday to programming, which led me to learn the secrets of good programming practices.

In finance course, I learned celebrated concepts such as Black-Scholes model, option pricing theory, and delta hedging. The concepts such as mean-variance portfolio theory came handy when I applied my findings of the dissertation project for predictive portfolio analysis.

At YYY, I have built various financial models for US mortgage products. I have also conceptualized and developed trading strategies for the etf trading desk.

While building mortgage models, I gained an expertise over the primary and secondary US residential mortgage market. I developed an in-depth understanding of various kinds of mortgage loans (prime, sub-prime, Jumbo, ARM, FRM etc.) and their borrower characteristics. It was a challenge to model the prepayment behavior of mortgage borrowers. Moreover, as the econometric problem was non-linear in nature, standard goodness of fit measures were not applicable to access the quality of produced model.

I produced an internal research paper to propose a new goodness of fit measure for our problem. Using the measure, I developed a prepayment model, which is currently used by CMO trading desk to price mortgage securities. I also generated analytics report on empirical duration, OAS duration etc. which helped us to analyze the performance of various models.

In algorithmic trading business, I learned the process of generating strategies, understood typical issues (for instance, latency) associated with trading processes, and get to know the need to reconcile our daily trade statistics with that of controllers. I dealt with millisecond level tick data, and learned the basic concepts of financial market such as net asset value, active and passive trading, and the rung of a fill.

The generation of trading strategies required extensive application of machine learning techniques. Apart from testing my technical skills, the exercise also tested my communication skills. I had to convince the desk using innovative ideas to use the strategies in production.

My job requires around five hours of programming everyday, which involves heavy use of KDB/Q and to a lesser extent C++. I learned the skills to produce and maintain large code base efficiently. My programming experience also helped me to gain an understanding of various paradigms of programming.

I attend a weekly meeting with Dr. PPP, global head of market modeling at AAA. In a couple of those meetings, PPP gave lectures on his research papers. The lectures also enhanced my understanding of stochastic calculus.

I have also passed Financial Risk Manager (FRM) examination of GARP. The coursework improved my understanding of risk management and helped me to learn about different businesses such as credit and interest rate.

mobiusfn

Jan 1, 2012

Graduate / 'mathematics and its applications' - Essay For FE Masters Program [5]

Hi Susan,

Thanks for your inputs and appreciation. I would be ecstatic if I am selected!

My short-term goal is to get associated as a quantitative trader with a reputed desk.---This sentence needs to be revised for clarity.

Can you please explain it to me by giving an example that how can I introduce clarity? A hypothetical example would also do.

Regards
Sumit

mobiusfn

Jan 1, 2012

Graduate / 'mathematics and its applications' - Essay For FE Masters Program [5]

Hello Everyone,

Please comment on my admission essay. It would be great if people can comment on the overall structure of the essay as well. I am concerned if I answer what is asked and does my long-term goal needs more explanation? I greatly appreciate your help!

Here are the requirements:

Describe your short term and long term goals.
How will your previous academic and professional experience contribute to help you achieve those goals.
How will your previous academic and professional experience will help you to succeed in the program?

Esssy size : 2 double-spaced pages

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My short-term goal is to get associated as a quantitative trader with a reputed desk. Trading has always been an exciting career choice for me. Since my childhood, I have always been excited about understanding the market fundamentals. As a kid, it was an enigma for me that how does prices of different securities change. Various unsolved queries instilled a keen interest in me for the financial market and the interest grew with age.

At teenage, I was naturally passionate about mathematics and its applications. Thus, after passing out of high school, I joined the prestigious XXX to pursue undergraduate and graduate degree in Statistics. The admission in the undergraduate course is a tough one and is offered only to 25-30 every year, after a highly competitive nation wide mathematics test, followed by an in-depth interview.

During my five year coursework at XXX, I took various advanced courses in mathematics, probability, statistics and computer programming. My classes had a right mix of theoretical content and their applications to solve real life problems. While my classes taught me how to solve theoretical problems, various assignments and projects led me to utilize my technical knowledge for the applied ones.

I had rigorous training in the topics such as regression analysis, time series analysis, statistical computing, machine learning and statistical inference. Various programming courses, assignments and projects helped me to improve my programming skills. In the Finance course, I learned celebrated theories such as binomial asset pricing model, and Black-Scholes pricing.

After completing my graduation, I joined YYY as a quantitative analyst. I developed post-crisis financial models to price various agency mortgage securities for the AAA trading desk. I also developed an algorithmic hedging strategy and analyzes daily p&l for the BBB trading desk. While my strategies and models generated revenues for the firm, I acquired significant knowledge regarding trading mechanism and market dynamics. I also passed FRM certificate course, which enhanced my finance knowledge.

My work and academic experience helped me to enhance my technical skills and finance knowledge needed for trading. My role as a quantitative analyst helped me to understand the intricacies involved with the process of modeling and pricing. My direct interaction with the BBB trading desk taught me the process to develop trading strategies, the importance of back-testing and to make inferences from daily p&l report. The skills I learned are crucial to become a successful trader.

The work and academic projects also tested my innovation, and hard-working nature. In the past couple of years, I have improved my leadership skills, interpersonal skills and communication skills. The mentioned attributes will also help me to succeed as a trader. My stint at YYY also helped me to develop few long lasting relationships with senior people of the firm.

As your program puts strong emphasis on finance, mathematics, statistics and programming, my extensive knowledge and experience in the mentioned fields, along with my good team skills and work ethics, ensures that I will succeed in the program.

I would like to become an expert quantitative trader and gain exposure to the latest strategies and best practices in the field, while contributing significantly to a trading desk. JJJ market is booming and hence it will need financial experts in the future who can contribute to its momentum. In the long run, I would like to use my gained expertise to contribute to the developing financial market in JJJ. Quantitative trading is almost non-existent in JJJ. My long-term aim is to lead a group to develop advanced quantitative trading strategies specific to JJJ market. I would also like to contribute to the establishment of a reputed Financial Engineering program in JJJ. One such program currently doesn't exist.

I am convinced that your program is the best program to complement my experience and goals. The four pillars of your curriculum aligns perfectly with my interests. While the courses such as MMM and NNN will help me to learn the concepts of various statistical-based trading strategies, the course KKK will provide me with the tools to use economic theory in making short run forecasts of security prices and interest rates. The learning will assist me to achieve my goals.

Your program boasts the presence of impressive names such as DDD, and EEE. Taking lessons from such great names would be an enriching experience.
Also, New York has a great locational advantage as it provides a unique opportunity to network with companies. The speaker series will also help me to present myself to the senior people from the industry.

My interactions with RRR (class 2011-12) and my colleague TTT (class 2005-08) also convinced me that I will be a good fit at your program.

mobiusfn

Jan 1, 2012

Graduate / 'a citizen of a third world country like Bangladesh' - my SOP [2]

Or maybe other factors are behind it?

what you have written is not a question. I would write : or are there other factors behind it?

With such questions in mind, I chose "XyZ" to get my undergraduate degree, hoping that I can find the answers.
- I wouldn't put quotes in the colored part, some people might want to. I think no quotes is better than quotes here.
-- degree, hoping that I can find the answers. vs degree in the hope to find answers. (which is better? Make your call. I prefer 2nd option).

Moreover, inspired by this curiosity I joined a Non-Government Organization (NGO) as a part-time officer, so that I can understand the various problems of our economy from a the grass root level. The organization ran various development projects throughout Bangladesh. Hence, the organization gave me plenty of opportunities to work and gather information on a field level. However, without any knowledge of finance and economic theories, I could not discover a convincing answer to the disparity problem.

Fortunately, during my undergraduate degree I was able to attend a series of economics and finance lectures, where I gathered ~~some~~ knowledge on microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international financial management. After studying these courses, my interest became broader.

with the original question of what causes the disparity between developed and developing countries, now I was also curious about the various government policy issues, the international trade of Bangladesh, crowding out effect, etc.

Along with the disparity problem, I also became curious about various issues such as the international trade of Bangladesh, crowding out effect, and various government policy issues.

Moreover, the professors' insightful knowledge mesmerized meand it inspired me to become a lecturer. Being able to research the socio-economic problems and to teach students, became my dream. I am confident that the MA in International Economics and Finance program can provide me with the knowledge to quench my curiosity, and the educational background to make my dream come true.

And I am confident that my previous studies and experiences will help me to do very well in the MA program.

Your program is the most appropriate choice for me because of its reputation, extensive coursework ...

Hope this helps.

Also, can you please review my essay?

mobiusfn

Jan 1, 2012

Graduate / SOP FOR MASTER DEGREE IN PLANNING IN CANADA [4]

I would create a new paragraph here.

It was then that I came across SIM city, a game which empowered me to build my own city and address all the necessities of its citizens which were apparently real life ordeals of all cities.

While the game gave me a sense of fulfillment, it eventually cultivated a real love of the intricacies of urban issues in me. --- I would also create a new paragraph here.

Later, in high school a new phenomenon captured my fascination and amazed me by its complex interactions and connections . --- the interactions and connections description is not very clear to me; you might want to rewrite it.

Internet, despite its analogues to our actual lives, was extremely organized and efficient. ----- you might want to describe internet with better adjectives other than organized and efficient.

These features of the internet made me follow the trace of my intense curiosity and experience this latest advancement of human beings by designing web sites in my leisure times. ---- you might want to rewrite this line.

In the final year of high school my interest in seeking an explanation for all the thorny questions obsessing my mind since my childhood, from causes of traffic jams to the great public dissatisfaction that I encountered in my daily journeys and greatest of all the incapability of technology to answer the needs of our urban deficiencies, led me to the conclusion that I have to choose a field ~~with broader perspective which could avail me to answer these issues or to be part of the given answer.~~ which can help me to provide solutions to the issues. --- also long sentence; break it.

Hope this helps.