<p>I’m an undergrad interested in the princeton ORFE program (both masters and PhD, not sure which one I will apply to). I was wondering if work experience (especially in the financial sector) was crucial to getting admitted? I have some work experience (a few internships, but mostly at startups and doing software engineering), so I was wondering whether I should even apply to either without any financial work experience.</p>
<p>I am actually an incoming PhD student at ORFE. I do not think that internship experience matters. Judging by the others I met at admit day almost no-one had internship experience. </p>
<p>You will want to have strong GRE, GPA, letters of recs and research experience if possible. Note that this is not a classic finance program. It is a lot more quantitative. That being said however many alums seem to take quant jobs on wall street. </p>
<p>You definitely do not need financial work experience (you would for the MFin at the Bendheim center however I think). ORFE has an MSE but I believe you need faculty sponsorship to even apply. Apply to the PhD for sure. The funding is very good too.</p>