I will be applying to MSF programs for the Fall 2013 Term. My application is solid but I obviously need letters of recommendation. I asked my current boss, the VP of Finance at a large Biotech, to write my letter and he was more than happy to write it. The second one is being written by a VP at a BB so I am not worried about that one.
I have two questions that I was hoping you monkeys could answer.
1) What should be said in a recommendation letter for MSF programs? Both of my recommenders have asked me what to write about (general vs specific). I can find literature on MBA recommendation letters but none on MSF.
2) My boss is French and while his English is conversationally very good, his grammar is not always up to par and his vocabulary can be a little young. (ie. HS level vocab) He did tell me that I could review his letter and make any grammatical/vocab changes I would like but I am afraid I will end up rewriting the letter.
Can you guys please give me some advice on how to handle these issues?
Thanks in advance
Always give them exactly what they want to hear ... meaning, don't ask WSO! Ask each school's MSF/Admissions Dept. specifically what they would like to be addressed, focused on, etc. Anyway, you're in a very good spot given that all of your references are going to let you drive this process.
hey leverage, would you mind posting your stats (GPA, GMAT)? I am also a 2013 MSF applicant.
Also, what schools are you targeting?
For those who are interested, I emailed the schools asking what my recommenders should write. A few responded saying that they will be told what to address when I provide their contact info in my app. So I guess specifics will be given to them and it is not as freely written as I initially thought.
Any advice on my non native English speaking boss is still much appreciated. He's a highly intelligent man I just know that when it comes to writing in English it may not come across that way and thus I may not get the full benefit of his endorsement.
As for my profile Lasampdoria, Econ 3.2 (3.6 Major), 700 GMAT, 1 Yr financial Analyst for Large Biotech, Internship with BB my junior year. Schools: BC, Tulane, Purdue, UMD, American and a couple safety schools.
IMO those should be your safety schools ... you will be on par GMAT and GPA wise for the majority of MSF programs, but the key is that you will have better WE/internships than at least 75% of your competition and you're in the sweet spot with some FT WE but not too much.
Here is my 2 cents, but you may have your reasons for those schools so just disregard this if thats the case. SInce you don't seem to have a geographical preference, I would definitely consider WUSTL, Vandy, Nova, Florida, Claremont ... they have all have better placements than the schools you listed (I'm not sure about Tulane though) and you have a great chance of getting into at least a couple of them.
Agree with The Kid. You have a good shot at "better" schools, especially the ones he listed. Purdue and UMD should be considered safeties, according to your stats.
Give WUSTL, Nova, and Vandy a shot. Claremont is extremely competitive (avg GMAT 730+), and most of those kids have GPAs above 3.4.
Never hurts to try though.
I would actually even suggest not wasting the money/effort on a Purdue application. I get the impression that their program is used as a stepping stone into a PhD program, so career services/placements won't be a big focus and there are better options in the surrounding states/midwest (UIUC, WUSTL, etc).
Its VERY important to go to a school that regards their MSF as a core program, not just a money-making side project. This is why the Nova MSF has become so popular over the last few years - its their bread & butter and its obvious that the school is dedicated a tremendous amount of money, time, effort, resources, etc to build the program, attract top students, and then place them in great jobs at solid companies... that and Anthony single handedly made "MSF" a household name.
Thanks for your comments Monkeys. I assumed that because my GPA is a few points lower than the average at many of the schools that my application wouldn't be that competitive. Also The Kid I wish I had a banana to give you for that advice about a program that regards their MSF as a core program. I may need to do some more research into that because I have no interest in a PhD.
No problem bud. Feel free to PM if any questions come up down the road.
If you go to a top program you will have great education/classes/profs/etc so basically the MSF decision comes down to geographic region and placements. Because its only one year it is very fast paced so strong career services is a must. The list of schools I listed all have very solid placements (MM/regional/boutique IBD, handful of BB IBD, F500 corporate finance rotational programs, commercial/corporate banking, some prop trading, consulting, Big 4, etc etc etc) and you will definitely be competitive at those schools with your WE and resume/essays in tip top shape.
Question - if you don't mind me asking - do you have any preferences regarding where you would like to work after? Also, what are you interested in career wise? Knowing that, I might be able to make some other suggestions since I was in your shoes a year ago and did a lot of research/due diligence.
Also, you seem to have most of your stuff together, but I would apply for the earliest possible deadline for all your target schools... it makes a HUGE difference.
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