Hi-
I've recently been accepted to Vandy MSF and Duke MMS- both great programs with impressive placement records. I've been working in the F500 financial services field in credit risk mgmt for about 1.5-1.75 years and just want to break out of that track into another financial related track. I'm almost 100% banking focused- though I'd also be open to S/T and ER type positions on a case basis. Id ideally like to be sector/industry focused upon placement, preferably in the greentech/alt energy sector..
From my understanding, it seems like Duke is the way to go if I were a non-finance career changer, but very little guidance for people jumping within finance. Qualitatively, I think that Duke might offer more in the way of energy-focused recruiting, but due to the lack of placement data for the graduating class, its really difficult to say for sure.
Thoughts? I have an opinion in mind- just wanted to see what you guys think.
I know Vandy has some solid placements, but since i'm in the Duke program I am going to be biased here haha.
Check out the placements on both websites and see what you think. I don't know if Vandy places too much in the NYC area (if thats where you want to work).
But from talking to ex-MMS students, unless you have an IB internship under your belt prior to graduation, its tough to break in from Duke.
I've looked at both, but its hard to find specific info about people who have FT experience before the program starts. Anyone else in the know?
Most people do not have work experience going into an MSF. The standard is around 1 year or less. You are on the bubble to be honest. I had 3+ years and couldn't get an interview for my life. You look too experienced to come in as a banking analyst.
Honestly, I would do an MSF and stay in F500, maybe move to treasury or something. Us the MSF as an MBA substitute.
Ant, if that is indeed the case, and I have to work the phones to break in to banking- wouldnt the Duke network be a better launching point? So what sort of ops do I have for career switching?
Duke MMS Foundations of Business vs. MS Finance (Originally Posted: 09/02/2013)
which is more worthwhile? Duke's MMS program, which seems to be similar to UVA's MS Commerce, or Vanderbilt, Wash St. Louis, Tulane etc. MS Finance? I did have a prop shop job for a bit, but thats it. Non-target school, 3.4. gpa, poli sci major, econ/spanish minor, and pending GMAT. Is the Duke name itself worth it? While I'm there, can I take some additional finance courses? Will the OCR pay attention to me if I go?
I think the Dukes program is pretty solid. Great if you want a bunch of options and aren't married to finance. Placements are good also. Bunch of new programs out there also (Michigan and Notre Dame).
I think the MSF is an easier sell and you'd learn more if you are coming from a business UG. Flip side is it will be tougher, many of the popular MSF programs don't have Dukes brand (although are all at good semi targets.
What are you shooting for after you graduate? Investment banking, trading, sales, corporate finance?
I'd prefer IBD, asset management, or valuation, tho I'd be open to S/T, corporate finance, etc.
Hi, could you please give me an update on which direction you chose to go? I am currently deciding between Duke's MMS and Vanderbilt's MSF program. I have been admitted to both and will be hoping to leverage the one year degree to break into IB in NYC. I am a Finance & Economics double UG from a big ten state school. I am having a hard time deciding on going to Duke because of the name/brand, or Vandy based on the content of their curriculum/ learning opportunity. Maybe @TNA could help me weigh in on this as well. Thanks!
I went to Fuqua and I'm more than willing to answer any questions.
@guyfromct thanks a lot for the info. After carefully considering both options, I think the fact that I'm more interested in Finance, and also the fact that the OCR for Duke MMS candidates is at par with that of Vanderbilt MSF candidates I decided to go with Vandy. Only time will tell if that was the best decision lol Congrats on the job btw.
MS Finance vs. Management (Originally Posted: 03/19/2014)
Examples: MS Finance: USC, Austin Management/Management Studies/Commerce: Duke, Michigan, UVa, London Business School
From what I can see, in terms of one-year programs, the schools that offer the MS Finance are less prestigious than those who are offering a Masters in Management/Commerce. BUT the MS Finance degree is more specialized while the Management-type degrees feels like it they are very general and merely offering one the undergraduate degree one did not get.
I am interested in consulting and/or Asset Management. Can't seem to decide whether reputation or degree is more important. Thoughts?
What is your background? If your background is business then MiM would not really help you to learn much. But if you don't have business background then go for MiM program in LBS. It will help you to get consulting but not AM.
I'm an Econ major.
I just received an admission letter from USC, so I'm torn between the degree offered vs. the reputation of the school. Ultimately, I want to get into Asset Management. Advice?
The MS in Commerce is essentially two programs: one for finance and one for marketing. So I would say the UVA program straddles.
What you will find regarding the MMS is that a lot of schools that offer it restrict students with 1) undergrad business degrees or 2) more that 6 months work experience. UVA, Michigan and Notre Dame come to mind.
IMO, the MSF is for those who enjoy finance. The MMS is for people looking for a broad, business education and are interested in a variety of career options. I was an UG finance major and wanted to student graduate finance so the choice was easy. Then again I picked the program based on the course of study, not necessarily as a way to buy a brand name, etc.
They're different animals, in MMS the class is not all finance focused, maybe a quarter to a third came in with an interest in it. The rest are split between marketing, consulting and other things. If you're not sure what you want, a management focused degree may be the better choice, AM is tough from anywhere though.
MMS or MSF (Originally Posted: 12/11/2010)
I am in the process of trying to decide whether to attend JHU’s MSF program or Duke’s MMS program. I realize there are other posts detailing this exact subject but I’m looking for more info. I have spent a good amount of time assessing each’s potential to help me get into banking— specifically a capital market analyst position. I graduate this semester with an acg/fina degree from a non-target state school, have a mid-600 gmat score (45 quant) and relatively little work experience. There is no doubt that both school’s have excellent brands, however Duke’s Fuqua School is certainly higher ranked. I see three factor’s influencing my choice: 1) Placement 2) Knowledge 3) Location As far as job placement goes, I believe Duke probably has the leg up. Recruiters at almost every bank are represented and the most recent stats are pretty impressive especially considering its such a relatively new program. However looking at the actual academic rigour, the MMS degree certainly doesn’t offer the type of analytical intensity that an MSF will. I do believe I could use another year of finance instruction giving me the chance to hone my skills in preparation for interviews, etc. Also, it should be noted that JHU’s program is part-time, but one can opt for an accelerated course-load and effectively do it full-time and graduate within 14 months.
As far as location is concerned, I would imagine D.C. has a wealth of opportunities for internships that Durham might not have, but don’t believe this should be the deciding factor in my selection. I’d love any input you guys might have.
Doesn't Johns Hopkins Program take like 6 years on average or something
that is the maximum alloted time for completing the program. There are a number of part-time professionals that go at that pace. however, in the past few years, more and more students are coming in straight from undergrad, so no that is definitely not the average.
http://msfhq.com/category/john-hopkins/
I like the Duke MMS program, but if you are considering an MSF I would look at other schools than John Hopkins. Their program really isn't a focus and people kind of float through it. The MSF is not that well known that you would want to have that kind of an experience. Find a school with a good cohort program and look at them. If you really want a PT program ,check out BC.
If the DC area is non negotiable then look at American.
Ms. Finance vs. Ms. in Management (Originally Posted: 01/04/2014)
For one that's in the O&G world, front office, young, and hungry what are the outcomes for either:
1) Finance-- Trader in the O&G world? 2) Mgmt- Consultant in the O&G world?
What about getting into PE/HF area?
I think the MS management makes getting into consultinge easier than a MSF helps with trading.
I am really thinking that, too.
A management degree at like Duke(Business Foundations is what it's called) really could make me an attractive option for consulting. I just feel like a management degree isn't quantitative enough, while a Finance degree isn't leadership-oriented.
It's like a Finance degree can lead you to a CFO role, while a Mgmt role can lead you to the CEO or COO role. This is assuming you are the top of the top.
I got waitlisted and/or denied at all top MBA programs, but into all Ms. Finance programs(except Penn) and Ms. Mgmt programs I applied to. I don't know how I got into or even waitlisted; I prepared hard for GMAT, have an average GPA(below average for one's here), a pretty good undergrad education, but excellent work experience in limited amounts.
I guess the alternative questions to ask;
1) If I go the Finance route, what else can I do to stand out to make myself in a management role? 2) If I go the Management route, what else can I do to stand out to make myself in a finance role?
Ideally I'd like to the VP of Finance in a big company or a CFO of some sort in 15-20 years. The degree will take 3-5 years, if I'm 30 years old and I have a Master's degree from a top 15 program(in Mgmt or Finance), 8 years of O&G experience(7 of them in the front office), I'm an attractive option.
Appreciate the responses.
What degree will take 3-5 yrs?
Part time...Stanford & Rice.
If you have a FO role in O&G why would you get one of these degrees? How old are you and why were you dinged at top MBAs, was it age/work experience? GMAT? I'd wait and either go to an MBA business schools">M7 or McCombs.
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