USC is rolling out an MSF program now, giving the West Coast another much needed master in finance option.
The inaugural class is starting this May with 50 students. Right now GMAT/GRE is optional, but I would imagine that will change. I've reached out to admissions to get more information as the site is still in a process of development. Very exciting stuff.
http://msfhq.com/university-of-southern-california-master-in-finance-pr…
**** Update 2/5/13 ****
USC will NOT be rolling out a program this year. They are still discussing the possibility of starting a program and put the website up by mistake. There is a good possibility the program will start up in the future, but right now it is not happening.
Wow. Just in time.
Any word on GPA/GMAT targets? Would you expect them to be roughly equivalent to their full time MBA program. or the MACC?
Well it seems like their class is already full so I wouldn't get too excited. Not sure what to think right now. I've reached out to them and am waiting to hear back.
Thank ANT
USC MSF = Very exciting
from marshall, seems very legit
If I am every able to relocate to SoCal, I would definitely consider this. I don't even really want a MSF, but if I could get employer sponsorship, I bet it would be a blast.
Requires no GMAT or GRE... interesting.
Would imagine that without GMAT/GRE, GPA would have to be 3.7+.
But would definitely bite the bullet and wait a year to improve my profile if this program is legit.
I know Marshall is semi-target for Cal / West Coast, but is it really that good of a school? I'm not trying to be a douche, I'm really curious.
Didn't get that impression at all BepBep12, no worries.
As a SoCal kid, I have seen first hand that for the LA IBD/high finance scene, USC/UCLA are more than enough to open the BB door. Is it that good of a school? It is certainly not as well regarded as Berkeley or Stanford, but it is certainly well-regarded by SoCal employers. If you want to go anywhere but LA/SF/San Diego, you might struggle competing with more grads from more prestigious schools.
USC usnews ranking: 24 USC forbes ranking: 95
For my goals and location preference, USC is definitely top 5.
That's really interesting, I literally might just toss my application in the mix to see what happens.
Guys, do realize a couple things.
1) This program is already full this year
2) It is very likely that this is an overflow for international MBA applicants
3) I'd say it will take a couple years for this to be more formalized
Happy to see the program and a great addition, just be cognizant of this.
:( Opps.
Bummer.
But if it's full, why is there a mention about a March 31 deadline, etc?
Not calling you out, just curious.
Opps, you are correct. When I read it the first time it seems as if they have filled their initial cohort. Looks like the are still accepting applications.
Wonder what the tuition will be? Seems to be a little bit of a range when it comes to MSF programs.
Yeah I'd expect tuition to match their MACC program. ANT, do new programs initially struggle with offering scholarships/grant aid? Is this something that more mature programs tend to offer? Thanks again,
their macc costs a fortune just for an accounting degree...
Update: USC MSF webpage has vanished.
Any more news on this alleged program? The webpage is still missing. Seems strange..
Yeah I updated my post about it. I think they are updating it or wasn't ready for the full attention they were receiving. I am sure it will be back.
No gmat required? Seems like kind of a red flag, no? I have no idea how USC normally places though.
How is the program full if they don't even have a site up?
Woah, even I'm interested in this. Very cool. Hope to hear more down the road.
must be pricey
Yo TNA. Any update on this development?
Nothing. I hit them up on twitter and got no response. Site is still down. I think they just freaked out some. I was sending like 20 clicks a day at their link, who knows how many more went through Google.
I see. Well cool, let us know if there's any updates. Thanks.
Major bummer. But life goes on.
I know its been a minute since this has last been discussed. But has any heard anything about this program since feb????
Program is up and running for Summer 2014
I just saw this yesterday. Thanks!
I just saw this yesterday. Thanks!
does anyone know how much the tuition is? cant find anything online (using their other programmes as reference points i assume that it must be around $50K)
Tuition is around 65,000. They;ve updated their website
USC Master in Finance Program It's backkk (Originally Posted: 09/24/2013)
Just posted an update on the program which should be back online very soon. I posted the brochure on my site along with some updated information. They'll be recruiting for the 2014 class so if your goal is west coast then this program should be on your short list.
Once the site is up I will let you know.
Note - I want to thank a current USC grad student for emailing me the brochure and giving me the heads up. We all appreciate it!
Post the link when you get a chance, I wasn't able to find it on google. Thanks! Edit: Used your link. Nice website!
@TNA I'm actually really interested in this. How will this program place relative to other MSF programs? I did a finance undergrad at a state school and am in an FLDP w/ a F100, but curious about using an MSF to switch to IB. Any thoughts? I turn 24 in May 2014.
Not 100% sure since it is going to be a new, first year program. USC's brand and reputation is really good and there are going to be a ton of alumni on the street. The West Coast doesn't have a ton of MSF programs so this is a welcome addition. I'd look at it like UT Austins first year. You'll be leveraging the schools brand and alumni mainly since there won't be any historic MSF placements.
Heads-up, your MAcc site is down
I'm currently a junior at a non-target,practicing my technicals, ramping up my networking, etc. so it is still possible for me to land IB straight out of undergrad...but damn I wouldn't mind going here. In the back of my mind I need to have plan B in case I don't get an internship this summer/FT recruiting doesn't go well.
Didn't want to borrow $30k/yr to attend there for undergrad but I'd borrow a decent amount of money for a masters there.
Thanks for the updates TNA
Thanks. Yeah. I need to convert it to the MSF hosting.
Hey TNA have you talked to anyone from USC about this yet? Just wondering when there will be information other than the brochure available
Website is back on line:
http://www.marshall.usc.edu/msf
Thanks to a WSO User for alerting me right away.
Very interested in this program. Be sure to post on here when there is a student review.
I'm going to do an updates post this week. I received more information from the program last week.
You know I like the curriculum but without any history of placements it's a risky move.
Agreed, but USC is a powerhouse in Cali and OCR should be strong. Probably easier to get in on the 1st year if you're a weaker applicant.
Just got an email from USC Admissions.
They said they received over 900 applications for this program. They will be sending out Acceptance letters in the next few weeks.
That is all I got from them. This is for the May 2014 Cohort.
Hope that helps
Good luck ALL.
SC got 900 applications specifically to its new MS Finance program? I wonder who all of those applicants were, because my impression has been that MSF programs typically get maybe 200-300 applicants and accept about a third.
USC Masters of Finance Program (Originally Posted: 11/06/2015)
Does anyone know someone whose gone? It sounds appealing but I'd like to know how the graduates of the program fare after graduation if anyone could provide some insight. Don't see anything on the USC site as the program is fairly new.
USC has the worst MFE & Math Finance program. Literally no statistics/reviews post graduation. So I have my doubts about this one.
MFE and Math Finance are run by Engineering and Math schools: MSF is in the Marshall Business School, different ball game ;)
What the hell, the average GMAT for the masters of finance program for USC is higher than their MBA.
This does not surprise me as there is usually a large chinese (read: higher quant scores) contingent at these MSF programs. In fact, I would not be surprised if most of the top MSF programs have GMAT averages at or above their MBA counterparts.
This might apply to most MSF programs! but ye BobtheBanker's comment is not entirely true. check out the USC MSF website http://uscmsf.com/, the class is maybe 10-15% chinese
call them. useless to ask placement here. they'd love to tell how their grads placed. But from their crappy online resume book for MSF, i say don't expect too much out of them.
latest resume book http://www.uscmsf.com/MSF%20Resume%20Book.pdf
USC's MSF program is run by a professor. Professors tend to now focus on placements, but on admitting students with the highest scores and best stats. Why? Because education is the end in itself. Admissions officers tend to think about placements which means you admit someone with slightly lower stats, but the ability to place.
Because of this I think you will see less emphasis on placements from USC's program. Does this mean it is a bad program? No.
If you are a domestic student with a modicum of social ability you will be able to land top jobs from the USC MSF program. There was a posted who did their MAcc degree right before the MSF went live and he landed an IB job from the USC network.
USC has a ridiculous network. There MBA is strong in that area. The school is a semi target. Simply network, talk with the MBA career office and take advantage of OCR. You don't need historic placements to tell you that students can succeed from this program if they take advantage of the resources available to them.
agree with everything except below:
"Professors tend to now focus on placements, but on admitting students with the highest scores and best stats. Why? Because education is the end in itself. Admissions officers tend to think about placements which means you admit someone with slightly lower stats, but the ability to place."
I think they tend to look for people who overqualify. Since MSF is an afterthought to MBA and undergrads, if you don't have enough stats, you can't win in a dogfight of leftover OCR spots.
Looks like they improved the general formatting of this year's resume book - last year's was absolutely terrible
agreed, the formats are much better. a few trends: maybe 50% is from USC undergrad?! and everyone has this USC MSF Association thing..
USC Master in Finance (Originally Posted: 11/14/2013)
So what are the opinions on University of Southern California's new Master in Finance program? Apparently one year, no GMAT required and apprx $50k tuition.
Apparently, the reason for not requiring GMAT is to not put any of the current undergrad students at a disadvantage (according to someone at the business school) so not sure how long they will waive the requirement.
Is it worth it to someone with 5 years experience trying to go from a semi-finance job to a finance job? Will work experience help or hurt?
I think there is huge upside on the program given the USC brand name in LA but not for someone with 5 years of experience. 1-2 years (Maybe 2-3) is the max I would do for a MSF. More than that and you are being compared to MBA candidates and you have to sell an employer on how the MSF is better than an MBA for you (Difficult but not impossible).. 1 vs 2 years, Heavy Finance vs Management and basic finance, etc.
I would look at USC's MBA or UCLA's MBA if you are in LA... I am from LA but have never really tried going back so I don't know the UCLA vs. USC debate for business school
The GMAT is optional, but encouraged. I am sure next year it will be required. If you have over 5 years work experience do an MBA. The MSF isn't really going to benefit you.
Are you recommending an MBA because OP is a career switcher + 5 yrs exp? Just for clarity, outside of IB, MSF can still hold value for experienced professionals already in finance (as we’ve seen with BC’s program), correct?
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