Hello guys,
I am currently a final year student at a UK semi-target and trying to do a Masters in the US. I have little knowledge about target universities (apart from Ivy) and would love some help if someone had a similar experience moving from one country to the other.
Thank you
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Interested.
worked and lived in 9 countries. Moved between UK and US several times; however, I can't help with the college system because I have never studied in the US. Or at least I wouldn't be able to help any more than WSO could.
Very generally speaking, a Masters degrees in the US could be seen as the "cash cow" at a school when internationals apply, including MBA courses. There are almost no stipends, loans, scholarships or tuition rebate systems that might apply for internationals. As an example, successful international PhD candidates are commonly fully funded (and most PhDs have Masters coursework included and even award Masters degrees as part of the program). If funding your course is a concern you could aim for a need-blind school in the US. afaik there are only six need-blind US institutions that fully cover demonstrated need for internationals (MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and two more).
Which school or industry are you aiming at and, if you don't mind sharing it, what is the reason you would like to study in the US? Are you planning to return to Europe afterwards or would you like to stay in the US?
PS, have a look at: http://www.fulbright.org.uk/
That is indeed impressive, 2 countries so far for me.
In terms of loans, I thought there were private companies that offered to internationals as well; it's true that they charge a high-interest rate, but wouldn't care if that allows me to have a shot at getting into Wall St. I want to do a Masters because it is a way of continuing education ( I have done only 3 years after high school, so by doing a 2-year Masters I will be one year older only than the average US grad as undergrad over there is 4 years). Thanks for naming some universities, I hear that by being at an Ivy League you have higher chances than usual, is that right?
In terms of industry, I am aiming for Investment Banking, and specifically, Sales and Trading. I have always wanted to move to US for a few years, even for undergrad, but as costs were really high plus they asked me to take SATs (which I didn't have time for as I had to take my national exams too). Also, in the US trading volume is way higher and there are more buy-side shops. Moreover, I don't want to stay in the UK as Brexit is hitting hard, and may mean moving to Frankfurt or some other EU location, which I am not really pleased with.
In the short term, I want to enjoy my stay in the US, and maybe at some time I return to the UK or even my country (I am an international student in the UK too, thus outside of the EU)
Lastly, thanks a lot for your answer. I have already checked the Fulbright scheme before, for my country though.
Can't help you with S&T but WSO will have plenty of information.
Just saying - haven't seen any real impact on hiring / jobs from Brexit yet and don't think we will (even though it was an awful decision).
1) Masters I am looking for are usually quantitative subjects or pure finance, so most of the times they are STEM eligible 2) I guess if I secure a role they pay for it in terms of sponsorship 3) I see, but it's a better chance than doing so from the UK, right?
on 3) I honestly don't know and I don' think anybody could foresee the outcome. Basically, you need to figure out what companies and the economic/political climate will do or be like in several years to come.
Personally, I feel like my colleagues and friends in the UK have an easier time securing visas (I have no data, so this research would be a good starting point).
edit: Just emailed a friend who moved to California for grad studies. He tried getting the H1b during his OPT and failed to secure it. He will return to Europe when his OPT expires. This is anecdotal at best, so you could focus your primary research on success/placement rates for international graduates in the UK vs. US.
ohh wow, that sucks. Well thank you for your advice then. Sounds like a really harsh market
Why not secure a role in London and then transfer internally?
As mentioned previously, I want to do S&T and with Brexit, many jobs in the division are shifting to continental Europe, which would delay the process even more and make it harder to transfer as everyone will be wanting to
Fair point. Well, in your case a job in London would be better than taking your chances with a role in US. Like people have mentioned, you have to go through the Visa lottery EVEN after you land an offer, making things that much harder.
Additionally, masters degrees are not really viewed upon favourably in the States, meaning that undergrads from top schools will always be top priority over a grad student. Exceptions obviously for top programs like Princeton, MIT, etc.
Just some things to keep in mind.
Np, just trying to give back to the community lol.
Some good MFin programs include Vanderbilt, WUSTL, Columbia (more financial engineering), CMU Computation Finance (super quanty).
These are the programs I've heard place really well in the states. In any case, you would be at disadvantage to local US students.
Best bet for you is to do a STEM designated MFin.
You could also try for the MFE at Baruch. It's super quanty and very competitive yet also isn't super expensive. Plus Baruch does a really good job with immigration help as so many of the students are immigrants. Baruch also has several STEM designated degrees with the OPT ext.
Thanks a lot guys. I have noted down all the unis you have mentioned and I will try applying to them
If you are a UK nationality person and moving to USA, then all you need is to setup a business there or do a better job so that you may earn some good loving for you and your family.
Wish I was a UK national, I am actually non-EU, which makes it more challenging, but also more rewarding if I achieve something big
I came to US to complete my Masters, so know the drill - from student loans, etc up until post grad employment. **My #1 suggestion would be to ONLY come here if you get full funding for your degree, whichever university you get into. Just because it is Ivy League or other top 10 school - does not mean a $100K+ job is guaranteed after graduation, and even if it was, it takes probably another 10 years to pay off the tuition from those schools. **
Apply to as many scholarships as possible, email the professors (or RAs/TAs) to see what kind of funding they have, etc. Ensure you get over funded. It is important that you have as close to zero debt as possible when you graduate, so that - if you have difficulty finding a job for 12 months after graduation (very common if you see the stats). With the restrictions in CPT/ OPT/ H1B/ GC all getting up there, things will change (not if), so you want to have cushion for yourself, and your future - not drown in student debt.
I'm probably not the right person for S&T / M&A etc related questions, but in terms of masters/ higher education in the US, I have been conveying the same for many of my family / friends and anyone who has the brains and can see the light behind the haze surrounding the accumulation of debt they'd have when they land here with $0 funding.
Side note: if you are thinking what my background is, I came to do Masters here in the US, in a city /state school with zero funding. I was able to apply for and get internship outside the country (applied close to 100 internships, only 4 called back, and one offer). For FTE, I got zero call backs from big banks or 'brand name companies. I have been @ GS for ~3 years now. This was by chance, as I responded to a recruiter and then took upon interviews (as I was sure I would flunk and get rejected straightaway - ended up getting offer on the same day). I'm not complaining, but this is just another job - at least that's my view on it. Thanks for reading.
Think long and hard about coming to the U.S. for a masters. When you go for recruiting, a lot of companies are going to screen based on work eligibility. If the school you end up at has a solid network and alumni base in the UK, you'll be fine. But if you're coming for a shot at working in the U.S. after, just know that it can be a painful process.
How to make the move from UK/HK to US? (Originally Posted: 08/23/2012)
Hey guys,
I'm an international student from Hong Kong currently doing a Physics degree at Imperial College London. I am interested in a career in investment banking but want to work in the US specifically in DC, Chicago and New York (in that order).
I know that it is extremely tough to land a job in the US straight from a UK uni, but what worries me most is that Imperial is from what i gather completely unheard of within the US (wall street or not).
What would be the best way of breaking into investment banking in the US, how likely can i transfer out of a UK or Hong Kong branch to the US or should i do an MBA in a US uni then find work?
How important is the alumni network in the US? I have seen universities like Baruch and Fordham, which are not in rankings, but then have loads of student placement at BBs.
It's important. Generally speaking, alumni will be happy to push your resume through and alert you to opportunities if you reach out and set up chats in a thoughtful way. If you network correctly and leverage your school's alumni base at a company, it can make a world of difference. Most banks have recruiting teams made up of alumni. If you are coming from a school that doesn't have a substantial alumni group at the firm, you miss the opportunity to have people champion your cause internally.
you actually have a very good shot at IBD in HK
Just start with London/HK IBD, then after 1-2 years do an internal transfer. Or, make enough friends from US after you get your foot in the door.
How hard is it to do an internal transfer? Is it sort of a, if you ask then it can be easily done? Or do you have to get interviewed by the US brand or something?
Also consider that most times junior people aren't shuffled around early on, it's usually the more senior people. That said, I would agree that looking for work in UK/HK first would be the best idea, as Imperial has great rep there.
Additionally, I will caution against my earlier advice of getting a STEM Masters degree as there are rumors that the Trump Administration might be trying to shorten the time given for STEM OPT. Buyer beware!
Moving from London to the US (Originally Posted: 03/12/2018)
Hi all, I'm an incoming IBD Analyst in London at a Mid Market Investment Bank (William Blair/Baird/Stifel). I would ideally like to move over to the states in particular either their San Francisco or Boston offices. However, they haven't really mentioned anything about any travel opportunities - I brought it up in interviews but didn't get any confirmation as to whether it would be possible.
Where I did my SA position at one of the Bulge brackets they made it sound relatively easy and common to spend a year over in the US, however at a smaller mid market bank such as above, is this possible? How would I go about bringing this up? When would be the right time to do so, as I'm early in my career I wouldn't want to bring it up straight away or would it be best to make it clear from early stages I want to do this or should I wait until the end of my first year or when I'm a second year analyst and ask to spend my second/third year as an analyst in one of these offices? Who would I speak to, my MD or HR?
Thank you
I totally agree. Drumpf is such an evil cheeto-nazi I think we should let any terrorist in the US, as long as they want to come, because it makes the Statue of Liberty sad when we don't do that. Besides, it's in the Constitution. I can't believe these bigotted rednecks don't know how to read the Bill of Rights that says "none of this applies if you decide to import millions of Muslims who bring with them their own political-system, but only if this occurs within the 20 years following them committing the worst attack on our nations soil for all time up to that point", but it doesn't matter, because the people that wrote that were raycis whites. I mean seriously, didn't they realize they were all immigrants themselves - no different, smarter, or better in any other way than a sub-saharan African with an average IQ of 60?
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