NU has an MS program in predictive analytics that I can do for around 40k(more like 30k after employer reimbursement and 20k after tax savings). I'm interested in this program for personal fulfilment reasons and potential social proof.
How would this impact a PT-MBA admission decision particularly at UCLA and USC? I'm aiming to start after around 40 months WE.
Assuming I got into UCLA Anderson, would I have a shot at MBB?

Stats:
Community college transfer to mid-tier UC. First in family to get a degree.

I am graduating in the fall with a BSc in Finance from a non-target, low GPA, 4.0 finance GPA, with school leadership roles, but no relevant IB internships. I have been applying, but it seems my chance of getting an IB analyst job after graduation is slim to none. I will be taking my CFA Level I this December. I am deciding to stay in school longer for
1. another major (Accounting), 2. Masters in Finance.

Can anyone in similar situation or if you're in charge of hiring analysts give your thoughts? Thanks in advance.

If I have a liberal arts degree from a top 20 school with a 3.7+ GPA, and a masters in finance and a masters of accounting with work experience in Big 4 TAS. What are my chances of a top 5 MBA program with good GMAT scores if I am 30?

So I already have my bachelors in a business discipline and I work for a bank in a call center. My manager and others are pretty much clueless about most of the opps outside of the call center. I'm looking at the description for both Credit and Treasury Analysts, which require a financial background. I don't really have one, but I am pretty much over working this basic job everyday. I really do want to go back to school, but at the same time, I want to make sure I am qualified to get those positions before I do so. Any tips? Should I go back for a Masters? I feel like I may be over or perhaps under qualified for jobs at that point.

I am fresh out of college(graduated in May 2012), and work in investment sales in California. I found a passion for real estate early during college, got my sales license and took Graduate level urban planning courses during Undergrad since they were the only ones involving real estate. Coming from a large state school in the Southwest, I didn't have the opportunity to interview with any investment banks or Real Estate Acquisitions firms, since they mostly only recruited through Ivy league B-Schools. I completed 2 internships with commercial brokerages and now work in investment sales in California. While I enjoy sales(and I do pretty nicely for being 23y.o), I know that I only want to be a broker for 5-10 years, if that.

Hi, I am doing my undergrad from a Canadian Semi-Target with manageable grades, my goal is energy trading yet I am having difficulty breaking into the industry. I am now considering the option of getting a graduate degree to increase my credentials for commodities trading. Does anyone have some suggestions? seems like big firms in the south all place a huge importance on U of A&M.
Anyone has any input on Tulane's Energy Master program? its only 10 months, but heard some good things about it, is it a advantageous degree? how competitive is it to get in? What other target schools offer great masters program that are competitive for energy trading?

Hey guys - non-target math major here, 3.8 GPA, and 9-10 months worth of IB/PE internships. PE internship was with a 6B+ fund (hires many GS/MS/JPM analysts)

Do you think I should try a Masters so I am eligible for SA? Or do you think I should keep on shooting for FT at a boutique? I don't have any FT interviews but have been accepted to my non-target schools masters in statistics program.

I could try for both but I need a consistent story when I network/talk to alumni. Basically by getting a masters, I'm buying time and enjoying school a bit more.

What do you think? Money is not an issue - my parents are begging me to do a masters.

Background:
- Studying at "Top 5" UK university but not Oxbridge
- Degree in Financial Economics
- Graduating in 2013, expecting First Class
- Completed M&A internship

Until recently, I was determined to get an MSc Financial Engineering or Finance. Most of the interesting degrees strike me as too expensive, however. I am neither willing nor able to pay > GBP 20,000 for an MSc (i.e. US universities are eliminated from the set of feasible choices).

Some interesting exceptions exist, e.g. Finance at Durham. Degrees from third tier universities tend to be really cheap but probably make no sense.

Hello All. So, I was wondering, what sort of jobs can one get with a terminal masters in economics and not much relevant work experience? I don't necessarily care about working in the front office, or even working at a firm. I just want to work in economics.

If one goes to a mid-line masters program like Boston University, or Tufts, or JHU (which may in fact be auto-admit?) what are the prospects such a person faces?

Thanks!!!

HI,

I am currently an undergrad student studying economics and financial management. I am hopefully going to apply for a masters in either financial economics or quant. finance. And from what I've heard both of them require advanced math courses, so I have decided to take the following math electives, and am wondering if they will give me any leverage when applying for grad school(Excluding the econ/finance courses that are a part of my program):
1. Calculus I
2. Calculus II
3. Linear Algebra
4. Differential equations I
5. Multivariate calculus
6. Intro to programming (Python)
7. Deciding between probability theory and Real analysis

Thanks.

Hi,

I am currently a senior undegrad, with a major in econ and finance. I am interested in pursuing a masters program in either Financial Economics or Financial Engineering. My questions are:

1) Is it possible for me to pursue any of these 2 majors( aka. will my undergrad major restrict me from studying any of these 2 programs)

2) How do the 2 programs fare against each other?

Thanks:)

This is my first time posting on this site although I've been lurking on the WSO forums for about six months now.

I'm an engineering student at a complete non-target state school (even for my major's top recruiters) finishing up my junior year now. I'm really interested in either going the S&T route at a BB or MBB consulting upon graduation, so I'm getting ready to network this summer so I'll be positioned well for next year's recruiting cycle. I'm the top student in my class and I'll have had multiple internships at multinational corporations in R&D and corporate engineering. However, I know it's really tough out there and the closest anyone from my school to working for a BB is operations... so I'm getting really worried.

I am a corporate banker (6+ work experience). Have worked with a few big name banks, but recently quit because I was bored and my career seems to have been derailed.

I am looking at getting into IB / Asset Management - of course, into the top firms (who doesnt?). I already hold a management diploma (it s the equivalent of an MBA). Being from an Asian college, it doesnt have the cachet of a US / UK school, but is still well regarded.

Would a Masters in Finance or MFE help me move my career along? Or am I chasing a pipe dream?

So long story short I did really shitty in highschool, and have been trying to make up for it. Going to transfer from CC with a 3.6 to a small nj college(Ramapo). If I finish up with a high gpa what are the chances of getting into a good masters program for finance?(not t10 just a program worth going to) Would doing a math minor improve my chances? My current school doesn't offer stats as a major or minor unfortunately. What I'm really interested in is corporate finance/consulting.

Hi guys,

I know the standard in the U.K. and U.S. is to do Undergrad, Analyst (or entry-level), MBA and then associate (or other similar). But I'm looking to go back home after my graduation from a non-target in the U.K. I have been doing extensive research into the Asset Management industry back home and many FO jobs require a Masters. I'm seriously considering this with the current state of recruitment in the industry.

My question is simple: What subject should I be doing my Masters in? Btw, I'm only considering top Universities, e.g. LBS, LSE, Cambridge and St. Gallen (in Switzerland).

Hi,

I am currently a senior majoring in sociology at an ivy league university. I started undergrad as a premed and that severely killed my gpa so I will only be graduating with a 3.6 despite the easy major. Major gpa is near 4.0.

At the end of sophomore year, I decided that I wanted to go into finance and through some intense networking, I obtained an internship with MS pwm then for junior summer GS s&t. Unfortunately markets were bad and even with a good review I didnt get a FT offer from GS. Full time recruiting has also been dismal with a lot of banks not hiring.

Hello monkeys,

I am currently a senior at NYU getting my undergrad degree in finance. I want to work at a hedge fund hopefully as a trader, a quant, or a analyst here in NYC. Should I wait two years and get a masters? what would be better, a MBA or a masters in statistics? or neither? My grades are good enough to get into a target if i choose to stay in school. If I don't get a masters will that bite me in the as* later in my career? How much would the difference be in my pay?

Thanks for all responses.

I am 27 and I want to go into finance. I am thinking of getting a MSF online with a certificate in project management. I have absolutely no experience (English major) and will be leaving another graduate program to enter into this one. I never really had to work so my work history is a little choppy, so this degree will be a career restart. I am wondering if this is a good path, not to go into banking or assets management but maybe corporate finance, project management or to be an actuary?

How much will it help me to obtain an internship if I decide to do a masters program at my university after graduation(top 20 business school)?

Anyone applying to Masters programs?

I have sent my application for Duke MMS program - R1 decision.
I also plan to apply to some finance programs.

Anyone else out here?

I am about to start my senior year at a non-target on the west coast and concerned that I will not be able to get any interviews/offers for full-time IB. Would doing a 1-year masters program be a good option? If so, what are the best programs right out of undergrad (west coast preferred) that I should apply for?

Some background:
I currently intern at a regionally respected boutique in Public Finance IB and have had 3 internships in PWM and Corporate Finance before. I am also the president of my finance club, was the treasurer of my fraternity, have won several achievement awards from my college, and have a GPA of 3.6.

Hello Everyone,

Okay I need some advice about MSF programs. But first i'll give you a quick synopsis about myself. I went to a non-target state school and just graduated (class of 2011). I have a 3.8 gpa with very good extracurricular activities. I have had two internships at a BB bank. And am now working full time at that bank. My internships were in both a BO role and a MO role. My current full time role could be viewed as either BO or MO depending on your viewpoint. I'm in the investment bank line of business at the bank.

Have any of you guys ever taken part in toastmasters? How is it? Is it known on the street?

Some background: 23 years old, married, undergrad in Finance December of 2012 from a non-target school in Florida, 3.5 cumulative, 4.0 major GPA. I do not have an official GMAT score as of yet, but have scored just over 700 in practice tests with little studying. Worked full time to pay for school and am debt free. I have full time work experience that isn't relevant for a position in finance; assistant store manager in retail, collections, member services at a credit union. I have recently accepted a position as an analyst for my credit union where I'll analyze electronic services and do financial/operational analysis evaluating prospective projects, existing services, and monitoring credit/debit card portfolios.

I posted this in the IB forum but am posting here just to get more insights.

I am finishing up 2 yrs in MO at a BB in Asia and have recently got a bad review. Main issue was that I have gotten increasingly bored with this MO role and have thus been seen as demotivated by my boss.

Luckily I will be going to a top-notch Msc Finance in Europe this fall and will go through recruiting for FO roles. I am a little paranoid and am worried that this negative review might come to haunt me when I'm applying to jobs.

Do you guys think I am thinking too much? Will getting a Msc negate the poor reviews I got from the MO role?

Would appreciate your inputs.
Thanks,

Greetings,

I have a BA in Communications and a minor in Philosophy from a pretty good school in the Midwest. I was just accepted to Dartmouth for a MA in Globalization Studies. I am going to take a couple classes in finance and economics at the school of Tuck while getting this MA degree of yet another Lib Arts degree. The goal would be to secure a gig as an analyst, ib, hf, pe, or anything wallstreet related.

I have interned during the presidential campaign focused in communications and strategy, NBC Universal as a marketing assistant intern focusing on ad sales and placements. Lastly, I did another internship as an assistant at a boutique construction company it paid pretty well and I learned a lot about real estate.

If you do a one-year masters program at a respectable UK university,

1) How hard is it to get into London banks, assuming they will be required to sponsor your work visa? Do all the major banks grant visas for foreign students??

2) If you work a year or so in europe at a large bank, how hard is it to transfer back to NYC?

Hi guys,

Hope everyone is having a great summer break.

I would like some advice and experience from anyone who has a similar background in Industrial Engineering (Masters) or who know anyone with such background.

1. Which firms would prefer a non finance background student or an Industrial Engineering student and which firms do not?

2. Is an online application sufficient for an interview or should I do anything additional such as to network etc. to increase my chances of obtaining my first interview?

Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

I am studying accounting at a non-target, and I have the opportunity to graduate after 5 years with a Masters in Accounting along with my bachelors. At the end of this 5-year program, it is also likely that I would soon become a CPA candidate (the program would allow me to sit for it). Since this is a combined-degree program, it is really not that expensive, so that is not an issue. At first, I jumped at the opportunity, but now I am thinking the degree could be a bad signal for finance jobs or better yet, b-school admissions. At the end of the program, I know the job opportunities would be pretty nice, so I would get good work experience (likely in the accounting field, not financial).