Yale University - Master in Asset Management

The curriculum strikes a solid balance between qualitative and quantitative aspects of asset management. Courses are taught by top practitioners from hedge funds, covering topics like portfolio management and quantitative investing. However, despite the program’s strong emphasis on applying theories to real-world application, I found that connection between theory and practice to be somewhat lacking.

The student body is highly diverse. In my Class of 2023, about majority of the cohort pursued careers in fundamental research or investment banking, while only a handful aimed for quantitative roles. Interestingly, after speaking with a few recent graduates, it seems the program tends to favor candidates with stronger quantitative backgrounds, and many end up in quant-related positions post-graduation.

One downside is the program’s short duration (9 months), especially considering it requires students to complete a part-time internship before graduation—which I found a bit unusual (ridiculous). Additionally, the career coaching/resource and career-related events were virtually non-existent and not very helpful. I know quite a few people who graduated from this program could not land a job in the US. I believe the brand and recognition of the program still need time to develop and mature.

That said, the program did ultimately help me land a quant job in the US and further sparked and deepened my passion for portfolio management and working in the asset management industry.

Highly recommend, granted, it is shorter than other options, but it has every component you need to train yourself to be a great asset manager. If you want to get into quant, this program gives access to some of the best practitioners in the field. If you want to do fundamentals, I think the program future-proofs us to incorporate the best of both worlds.

Most importantly, I want to highlight the tight-knit cohort that is supportive, diverse, and just a group of smart and fun people to be with.

Overall the AM program is amazing. The admissions team assess candidates holistically, and they want to know you as a person, your vision, and your motivation to apply for the program. The core courses reaches a balance between quantitative and qualitative parts of asset management - the courses are quantitative, intense, and data driven, which equips students with the ability to analyze financial data to have a better understanding of the market movements, the drivers/factors of returns, and to better develop trading strategies. More importantly, a lot of the professors of the program also work at hedge funds such as AQR as practitioners. Therefore, students are taught not only the theories on paper but also how these theories are applied and implemented in the real-world, which is super valuable. Students are welcome to talk to career development coaches to practice their interview skills and seek their advice all the time.

Academic rigor and diversity. This program features great professors who are renowned practitioners/researchers. It provides a wide range of course options, not only within Yale SOM but also across other grad schools and the undergrad program. It also attracts a diverse cohort of students with varied perspectives and backgrounds.

The admission process was seamless, with a holistic approach that takes into account all aspects of your profile. The courses are incredibly challenging and of the highest caliber, taught by world-renowned experts who are leaders in their fields.

The program is exceptional, offering an unparalleled educational experience. The curriculum is a perfect blend of theory and practical application, taught by world-class faculty with deep industry expertise. Students benefit from access to cutting-edge resources, hands-on learning opportunities, and a strong alumni network. Highly recommended!

Yale’s Asset Management program stands out for its perfect theory and hands-on experience mix. The professors are knowledgeable and deeply involved in the industry, bringing real-world perspectives into the classroom. The program does a fantastic job of preparing students for the complexities of investment management, emphasizing developing both technical skills and strategic thinking. Plus, the access to networking events, internships, and top-tier resources gives students a real edge in the job market. It's an ideal program for anyone serious about a career in asset management.

For a 1 year program student placements are good (factoring in the benefit of being able to work earlier but the cost of no internship opportunities during the summer). Professors are excellent as well as the people in the program. Since the program is highly selective admissions is able to create a well functioning, diverse cohort.

Can highly recommend:

Great admissions experience for an ultra selective program. Admissions forms a holistic perspective on your profile and does a great job at creating a class of people with different experiences.

Strong community spirit among the 65 students in the program. We help each other driven by positive sum thinking.

Course quality simply unmatched. Professors come from the industry and craft their lectures around first-hand experience. You can tell they have skin in the game and have walked the talk.