UCLA Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) Supplementary Application Guide

UCLA Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) Program Overview

The Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) program at University of California, Los Angeles Anderson School of Management is a  STEM-designated, 15-month intensive program designed to equip students with quantitative finance, risk management, and data analytics skills. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, preparing graduates for careers in investment banking, asset management, hedge funds, financial technology (FinTech), and risk management.

The program is structured to provide students with hands-on experience through the Applied Finance Project (AFP), where they work with industry professionals to solve real financial problems. Additionally, students benefit from career development support, networking opportunities, and faculty expertise in quantitative finance.

UCLA Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) Course Schedule

UCLA Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) Supplementary Application: Video Interview & Written Assessment

As part of the application process, UCLA MFE requires candidates to complete a video interview and a written assessment. These components assess an applicant’s quantitative abilities, problem-solving skills, and communication proficiency.

UCLA MFE Video Interview Question Details

The video interview consists of behavioral, technical, and case-based finance questions presented through an online platform. Applicants must answer these questions under timed conditions. Common question formats include:

UCLA MFE Video Interview Questions Format

• Question 1: Preparation time: 30 sec, Speaking time: 60 sec
• Question 2: Preparation time: 2 mins, Speaking time: 2 mins

1. Behavioral Questions
   • "Tell us about a time you solved a complex financial problem using data analysis."
   • "Why do you want to pursue an MFE at UCLA Anderson?"
2. Technical Finance & Programming Questions
   • "Explain the Black-Scholes model in simple terms."
   • "How would you hedge a portfolio against market downturns?"
   • "Describe a coding challenge you solved using Python or R."
3. Case-Based Questions
   • "Given a dataset of historical stock prices, how would you analyze trends and make investment recommendations?"
   • "A company faces liquidity risk—what quantitative approach would you use to assess and mitigate it?"

UCLA MFE Timed Written Response

Following the video interview, applicants must complete a timed written assessment (typically 250 words, 5 minutes). The essay assesses the applicant’s ability to think critically, structure their response effectively, and communicate complex financial concepts concisely.

Example prompts include:

• "Describe a recent financial crisis and its impact on global markets."
• "Discuss the role of machine learning in modern quantitative finance."

UCLA MFE Supplementary Essays

• Personal Statement
  • Approx. 1 page
  • Max. 500 words

• Statement of Purpose
  • Max. 1500 words

• 2 Required Essays
  • Max. 750 words

• 1 Optional Essay
  • MAx. 375 words

UCLA Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) Application Fee

UCLA MFE Fee: $200

UCLA Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) Application Timeline / Deadlines

Program Start Date: Sep 2025

UCLA MFE 2025 Deadline:

• Round 1 - December 31, 2024 (Tentative decision release date: March 1, 2025)
• Round 2 - March 1, 2025 (Tentative decision release date: April 30, 2025)
• Round 3 - April 30, 2025 (Tentative decision release date: May 31, 2025)

What the Program is Looking For

The UCLA MFE program seeks candidates with strong quantitative, programming, and financial skills, along with excellent problem-solving and communication abilities. Ideal applicants possess:

• A solid academic background in STEM fields such as mathematics, engineering, computer science, statistics, or physics.
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python, R, or MATLAB, as computational methods are essential for quantitative finance roles.
• A strong understanding of financial concepts, including derivatives pricing, risk management, stochastic processes, and asset allocation.
• Experience with statistical and econometric applications, such as hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and portfolio modeling.
• Critical thinking and communication skills, as financial engineers must be able to translate complex quantitative insights into actionable business decisions.
• Professional experience in finance, technology, or research-related fields (preferred but not mandatory).

How Myls Interview Can Help

The UCLA MFE video interview and written response require strong preparation in both technical and communication skills. Myls Mock Interview Tool helps applicants refine their responses through:

• Mock video interviews that simulate UCLA’s behavioral, technical, and case-based finance video question formats.
• AI-powered personalized feedback to assess response structure, technical accuracy, and clarity.
• One-on-one online coaching with finance industry professionals, ensuring that applicants can explain financial models and programming solutions effectively.
• Technical finance and programming preparation, helping candidates strengthen their knowledge in quantitative finance, coding, and algorithmic trading.
• Timed writing exercises, designed to improve applicants' ability to formulate well-structured, concise, and impactful written responses under time constraints.

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