Tough decision. Obviously LSE is the better program but I've always heard if you want to work in the US go to school here. It might be difficult to go to school in Europe and work there for a year while networking on your own for jobs in the US.
On a side note, did you consider WUSTL MSF since you went there for undergrad? I thought they had good placement in prop shops in Chicago.
I am in the very fortunate position of having an offer for both LSE's MSF and Vanderbilt MSF and I'm in the rather stressful position of picking between the two.
Let me give some background on myself:
American Technology consultant from HYP currently working in a small firm looking to transfer into a finance career (IB or strategy/financial consulting but looking for IB internships now). I currently do not have have an IB internship under my belt, nor any experience in finance so an internship would be a must.
I don't mind living in London for a couple of years if I can get a job there.
Obviously LSE has prestige, but I'm concerned about career opportunities to make the switch I need.
Two things come to mind:
1). Vanderbilt has excellent OCR. I'm confident that they can hook me up with IB in the US. As for LSE, I'm not sure how I can leverage that brand name in the US to get an internship.
Has anyone gotten an internship before or after their program in LSE in London and leveraged that into a full time offer from the States? Not sure how visas work.
2). If I want to do consulting, it seems that LSE places better than Vanderbilt's MSF. Any truth to this and does any one have more information?
What would you guys choose and what would be your strategy? Would you apply for internships in the US or the UK if you decided to go to LSE? Would you apply for internships before or after your program was over? Anyone have experience with something similar?
Thanks guys, I really appreciate any advice you can give me.
If you're a US citizen go for Vanderbilt because it has national recognition and is a top msf in the country. LSE if you're not a US citizen since it is more known internationally so it gives you the opportunity to almost work anywhere you want.
Congrats on getting into both! I was just accepted to Vanderbilt MSF as well. The career resources are supposed to be terrific and I have already, within 12 hours of accepting the offer, received an email from the career management center with resources to use.
I think both are terrific schools. Going to LSE may help you get into a BB role after graduation but that role will likely be located in London. If you are fine working in London for a few years LSE may be your best option. Vanderbilt definitely has a great program though and if you accept I look forward to meeting you. Like NameOfProfit mentioned above Vanderbilt is one of the top MSF programs in the country and definitely a good choice if you are trying to break into investment banking. (42% last year pursued investment banking I believe)
Hi TNA. Thanks for all of your advice so far in the process.
Do you have any information on how Vanderbilt places into consulting? I want to keep that an open option as well if it doesn't hinder my other options too much. And how feasible do you think it would be (if I decided to go to LSE) to get an internship here in the States the summer before and then pursue full time recruiting in London. Do you have any stories of anyone who has done something similar?
Also, any info on how internships there work? Would I be eligible or would that be something to talk to LSE about? I would really like the international experience, but don't want to shoot myself in the foot in the process.
Just be aware that recruiting in London is very structured and long, very hard to network. You'll have the LSE name but you'll have to go through the same several recruitment rounds that others do. My advice is stay in the US and go to Vanderbilt, unless you're a brit or an Asian and used to this type of thing.
Interlude, thanks for the advice. You mentioned in another thread that going to Vanderbilt would devalue my brand (it was in the MSF 2017 thread). I'm hyped for Vandy but kind of scared at what you mentioned. Since LSE is a top name, would that devalue my brand at all? Or do you think I should just hold off for an MBA instead of considering these choices?
One option would be accepting Vandy (it starts in September, right?) and then using the HYP network to try and land a job right now. If you land it then you don't have to waste time on an MSF, and if you fail you have a very good back up plan to fall on.
It wouldn't even be morally wrong cause if you back out they would then be able to fill your spot in the 3rd round (I know nothing about MSF admissions but assume they're similar to the MBA ones).
I 100% agree with Interlude12. The MSF is unnecessary given this guys background. Self-study is likely the best and least costly option. If you went to HYP and cannot get a entry level finance job I am not sure a MSF would help much anyways. It ultimately comes down to how well this guy can network and self-study.
After reading through your posts, it seems like waiting a few years and going to a MBA program sounds like a better option.
I agree that it's ridiculously easy to get a finance job if you go through formal recruiting from HYP, but once that window closes it becomes significantly harder to get break in. You're given the benefit of the doubt if you're going through formal recruiting, but to break in without experience once you're out of that formal recruiting network (again to go to a good bank with good exit opportunities) is more difficult.
That MBA plan seems like a good idea: how often do people with technology consulting backgrounds break into good banks without prior experience? I'm ok with waiting 2+ years, but if I go to b-school and lose out on recruiting because of too many years without experience that would be a tough pill to swallow.
I would say it shouldn't be too difficult, given your background, if you go to a MBA business schools">M7 or maybe even top 15 business school. It also depends on what consulting company you work for and how quickly you are promoted. Would be interesting to hear other people's perspectives seeing as I don't have much of a background on the matter.
That's a difficult decision in your case. I think it depends on whether you want to work in Europe or US. LSE Acc&Fin is the better program due to it's employability brand. However in your case, you've got a decent profile with some previous wrk ex in BB albeit BO, so I'm sure you'll get a good shot at IBD from Vandy as well.
LSE. You are taking a year off and not earning anything. Placement should be your #1 priority. Having said that, LSE will provide you a much better shot at the kind of opportunities you are looking for. You should go there and get a job at a global bank. Once you have the job, try for an internal transfer after 1 year.
1) Will the "accounting" portion of this degree hinder me from obtaining certain types of jobs, such as trading? If I do end up choosing this program, I am planning on taking all finance courses and just one accounting course - corporate financial reporting.
2) With the current decline in Europe, is the LSE brand / studying in London truly worth the added cost in regards to future career prospects? Does anyone know how placement is for the current class?
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Both of these have been covered a lot on this board. Just do a quick search you'll probably find something helpful.
Tough decision. Obviously LSE is the better program but I've always heard if you want to work in the US go to school here. It might be difficult to go to school in Europe and work there for a year while networking on your own for jobs in the US.
On a side note, did you consider WUSTL MSF since you went there for undergrad? I thought they had good placement in prop shops in Chicago.
-
That makes sense. I just wanted to see your reasoning behind the choice. Having access to multiple alumni networks is great. Good luck.
LSE or Vanderbilt (Originally Posted: 12/15/2015)
Hello all.
I am in the very fortunate position of having an offer for both LSE's MSF and Vanderbilt MSF and I'm in the rather stressful position of picking between the two.
Let me give some background on myself: American Technology consultant from HYP currently working in a small firm looking to transfer into a finance career (IB or strategy/financial consulting but looking for IB internships now). I currently do not have have an IB internship under my belt, nor any experience in finance so an internship would be a must.
I don't mind living in London for a couple of years if I can get a job there.
Obviously LSE has prestige, but I'm concerned about career opportunities to make the switch I need.
Two things come to mind: 1). Vanderbilt has excellent OCR. I'm confident that they can hook me up with IB in the US. As for LSE, I'm not sure how I can leverage that brand name in the US to get an internship.
Has anyone gotten an internship before or after their program in LSE in London and leveraged that into a full time offer from the States? Not sure how visas work.
2). If I want to do consulting, it seems that LSE places better than Vanderbilt's MSF. Any truth to this and does any one have more information?
What would you guys choose and what would be your strategy? Would you apply for internships in the US or the UK if you decided to go to LSE? Would you apply for internships before or after your program was over? Anyone have experience with something similar?
Thanks guys, I really appreciate any advice you can give me.
If you're a US citizen go for Vanderbilt because it has national recognition and is a top msf in the country. LSE if you're not a US citizen since it is more known internationally so it gives you the opportunity to almost work anywhere you want.
Congrats on getting into both! I was just accepted to Vanderbilt MSF as well. The career resources are supposed to be terrific and I have already, within 12 hours of accepting the offer, received an email from the career management center with resources to use.
I think both are terrific schools. Going to LSE may help you get into a BB role after graduation but that role will likely be located in London. If you are fine working in London for a few years LSE may be your best option. Vanderbilt definitely has a great program though and if you accept I look forward to meeting you. Like NameOfProfit mentioned above Vanderbilt is one of the top MSF programs in the country and definitely a good choice if you are trying to break into investment banking. (42% last year pursued investment banking I believe)
Didn't get into MIT?
Vandy because you're an American. London is great, but it's going to be hard to land a gig unless you're a EU citizen.
Hi TNA. Thanks for all of your advice so far in the process.
Do you have any information on how Vanderbilt places into consulting? I want to keep that an open option as well if it doesn't hinder my other options too much. And how feasible do you think it would be (if I decided to go to LSE) to get an internship here in the States the summer before and then pursue full time recruiting in London. Do you have any stories of anyone who has done something similar?
Also, any info on how internships there work? Would I be eligible or would that be something to talk to LSE about? I would really like the international experience, but don't want to shoot myself in the foot in the process.
Just be aware that recruiting in London is very structured and long, very hard to network. You'll have the LSE name but you'll have to go through the same several recruitment rounds that others do. My advice is stay in the US and go to Vanderbilt, unless you're a brit or an Asian and used to this type of thing.
Interlude, thanks for the advice. You mentioned in another thread that going to Vanderbilt would devalue my brand (it was in the MSF 2017 thread). I'm hyped for Vandy but kind of scared at what you mentioned. Since LSE is a top name, would that devalue my brand at all? Or do you think I should just hold off for an MBA instead of considering these choices?
Info on Vanderbilt placements can be found here: http://issuu.com/vanderbiltowen/docs/msf_2014_employrpt_final
They do place some students into consulting firms, I am sure LSE does as well.
I would suggest Vandy .
One option would be accepting Vandy (it starts in September, right?) and then using the HYP network to try and land a job right now. If you land it then you don't have to waste time on an MSF, and if you fail you have a very good back up plan to fall on.
It wouldn't even be morally wrong cause if you back out they would then be able to fill your spot in the 3rd round (I know nothing about MSF admissions but assume they're similar to the MBA ones).
I 100% agree with Interlude12. The MSF is unnecessary given this guys background. Self-study is likely the best and least costly option. If you went to HYP and cannot get a entry level finance job I am not sure a MSF would help much anyways. It ultimately comes down to how well this guy can network and self-study.
After reading through your posts, it seems like waiting a few years and going to a MBA program sounds like a better option.
How many have gotten investment banking jobs at reputable companies with good exit opportunities without going through formal recruiting?
I agree that it's ridiculously easy to get a finance job if you go through formal recruiting from HYP, but once that window closes it becomes significantly harder to get break in. You're given the benefit of the doubt if you're going through formal recruiting, but to break in without experience once you're out of that formal recruiting network (again to go to a good bank with good exit opportunities) is more difficult.
That MBA plan seems like a good idea: how often do people with technology consulting backgrounds break into good banks without prior experience? I'm ok with waiting 2+ years, but if I go to b-school and lose out on recruiting because of too many years without experience that would be a tough pill to swallow.
I would say it shouldn't be too difficult, given your background, if you go to a MBA business schools">M7 or maybe even top 15 business school. It also depends on what consulting company you work for and how quickly you are promoted. Would be interesting to hear other people's perspectives seeing as I don't have much of a background on the matter.
That's a difficult decision in your case. I think it depends on whether you want to work in Europe or US. LSE Acc&Fin is the better program due to it's employability brand. However in your case, you've got a decent profile with some previous wrk ex in BB albeit BO, so I'm sure you'll get a good shot at IBD from Vandy as well.
LSE. You are taking a year off and not earning anything. Placement should be your #1 priority. Having said that, LSE will provide you a much better shot at the kind of opportunities you are looking for. You should go there and get a job at a global bank. Once you have the job, try for an internal transfer after 1 year.
Some concerns about LSE A&F:
1) Will the "accounting" portion of this degree hinder me from obtaining certain types of jobs, such as trading? If I do end up choosing this program, I am planning on taking all finance courses and just one accounting course - corporate financial reporting.
2) With the current decline in Europe, is the LSE brand / studying in London truly worth the added cost in regards to future career prospects? Does anyone know how placement is for the current class?
Any additional input is welcome...
....anyone?
vanderbilt? is that a state school? not really a target
LSE hands down nice job of the admit
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