MSF PROGRAMS: UIUC OR ROCHESTER

Hi WSO!!

I was admitted to UIUC MSF and Rochester MSF recently, and I'm not sure which one is a better option for me?
I'm an international student aiming to get a job in the US after finishing my graduate studies. I know it's hard :( BUT I'll try my best and I'd like to ask for your opinion on the following questions:

-Which one has a better reputation in the finance industry (like in New York)? I heard that Rochester is not that highly regarded in New York since there's a 5-hour drive to the city? What about UIUC's reputation on the street?
-Which one has a better career management center/alumni network?
-What are the companies recruiting at UIUC or Simon?

ALSO, could you guys kindly give me some advice on what international students should do to improve the chances of getting internships/jobs in the US?

Thanks a lot!!!

 

I'd personally got to UIUC. Aim for Chicago post graduation.

International students need to cast a wide net. Your main goal is go get a job and stay in the US. Find a place that will sponsor. Maybe reach out to other international students who have found jobs and get their advice. It will be relevant to you the most.

 

UIUC. I went there.

Everyone here in Chicago respects it (in fact, I think they give me too much respect for it).

I wasnt international. But the students who succeeded in getting jobs didnt rely on on-campus recruiting. They found jobs by cold-emailing and dropping resumes ritualistically everyday.

Array
 

Thanks for the information! I have a couple more questions:

Are you satisfied with the overall program? How many students were there in your class? What was the composition of the student body, like how many of them are international or local? Can you recall how many international students found jobs after graduation? Also, is it possible for me to extend my studies from 3 semesters to 4 so that I can have more time for job hunting?

Thanks again!

 
Best Response
Wenqian Liang:

Thanks for the information! I have a couple more questions:

Are you satisfied with the overall program? How many students were there in your class? What was the composition of the student body, like how many of them are international or local? Can you recall how many international students found jobs after graduation? Also, is it possible for me to extend my studies from 3 semesters to 4 so that I can have more time for job hunting?

Thanks again!

-Satisfied. My finance background was weak, so I feel like I learned a lot. -I dont remember. However, individual class sizes were probably limited to 25-35 kids. -I attended 3-4yrs ago. It was mostly international students. Most of the density was from China. Less than 7 domestic students total. -Few found jobs during the program because they were going about it wrong. They had much more success finding jobs during their OPT. I dont have numbers. But I would imagine it would be in the 20% context. Most of the successful ones had great spoken english (fluency, but with an accent) and/or applied for jobs in a less conventional manner (my GF got her job by cold-emailing big4 partners, despite failing all of the on-campus interviews). -I am nearly 100% sure you cannot do a 4th semester. Some people did a back-to-back MSA/MSF, but I don't think it helped at all.

Array
 

Hi Wenqian Liang. I have a question for you on your UofR application. I imagine you applied on the November round. When were you told you were admitted? I applied on Jan's deadline and I already had my interview, but the last day to be notified if I'm accepted is late March. Did you get notified very late? I just want to know so I stop looking for a decision if it's going to take long.

Also, I don't know much about UIUC MSF, but I do know about UofR. Even though it's a few hours away from NYC, the program tries hard to integrate itself to NYC. Every Thursday a bus takes students to NYC and picks them up on Sunday. Who interviewed me said that the university constantly has events on NYC such as guest speaker conferences, career fairs, being a spectator at big firms for one day, etc.

I really like the fact that UofR takes advantage of NYC being relatively close. The interviewer also told me of events in Boston and Philadelphia. Just wanted to add those points about UofR for your decisions.

 

I applied in the 3rd round in December, interviewed on Jan. 26, got the admission email on Jan. 31. I assume different interviewers have different processing schedules.

Thanks for your information on Simon! It seems that the school does care a lot about its students' job placement. Also, IMO Simon admission committee wrote a much better admission email:) But Simon's tuition is much higher...tough decision....

 
GutShot:
If you've already been admitted to Tufts and JH, why are you applying to safeties?

I have to consider funding opportunities. Tufts did not provide me with a lot of aid and JH didnt at all. So I want to be realistic about which program provides me with enough aid whilst also being competitive for placements. I thought the above two seemed to fit the bill.

 
TraderDaily:
Go for Nova. If you have the right gmat score, they seem to be generous with scholarship money.

Thanks TraderDaily. I was actually really anticipating any notification from Nova but found out they only accept GMAT after sending my application with a GRE score. Nothing was mentioned on the site but I guess my fault for overlooking this. They along with Ohio State are the only schools not accepting GRE. I really feel all schools should accept both as to not limit applicants like myself.

Good luck for Nova though :)

 

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