Vanderbilt vs. Notre Dame M.S. in Finance Equity Research placement
Hi everyone! Need advice on placement.
I am a senior at a Christian non-target majoring in finance and philosophy. I trasnferred in after turning down an acceptance to UVA (mistake I know). I sat for the CFA lvl 1 exam this last November and failed by only a few questions and am sitting again in May.
For the past 4 years I have worked very hard to break into sell-side equity research. I had a buy-side investment and equity research internship at a respected insurance firm. Sell-side ER is still my dream. I know I have the drive, critical thinking, and creativity the field requires.
I am about to graduate with no offer. I have been accepted to Vanderbilt and Notre Dame’s M.S. in Finance and need opinions on which will be better for ER specifically. Both offered similar academic scholarships and cost is otherwise a non-factor. From my research, it seems that Vanderbilt may better for ER but Notre Dame may be better for placement in Chicago (my second priority).
All thoughts are so appreciated. I am so thankful for this community! You all have motivated me to get to even this point.
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I'm pretty sure if you look at Vanderbilt's IB placements they are mostly in the Southeast (Atlanta, Charlotte, Tampa, etc.) . Vanderbilt is a better program, but most SSER roles are in NY and some in Chicago.
I don't know for sure since the ND program is relatively new, but I bet it places a lot better into Chicago due to the alumni network. The William Blair SSER team is in Chicago (also Baird ER team is in Milwaukee).
I've been looking through SSER stuff myself and it looks like 90% of teams are in NY, so it will be hard to find openings elsewhere. Hope this helps.
Sorry I didn't really answer your original question with my first comment. I would pick Vandy because the name carries more weight.
I appreciate your input. There is a sense where if I got a NY SSER offer I would of course take it. But I am a realist, and I understand that I have to come from Ivy League and if I were to get an offer there it would have come 2 years ago. I do keep a close look at the SSER teams in Chicago. And I have made it to Baird's superday--interviewed well just did not go my way.
Couple of things I’d recommend. Reach out to some DoR’s right now at places you want to work at. In my experience it’s tough to get into contact with DoR’s at BB’s but not impossible so still worth a shot. Set up a phone call and introduce yourself then ask them about this predicament you’re in. They’ll be able to offer you honest advice and it establishes a connection.
When you’re ready to get in internship/interview you circle back with them.
Btw how long is the program? 1 year I imagine?
Yeah, that's a great idea. I can do that. The program is 1 year long. Just to clarify, when you say DoR you mean "director of recruiting"?
Cant speak to Notre Dame program. Almost went to Vandy for MSF. They place well in NYC despite being south, they like T-3 program. Know multiple people in buyside and sellside ER that did Vandy MSF - you will have no problem breaking in from there
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