Hello fellows!
1) Current employer will pay for my Masters/MBA degree, and I want your perspective on Which non-target Universities do you believe would give me a better chance:
(these universities below are pre approved, but I can submit request for different ones).
- Purdue Global
- Southern New Hampshire
- Wilmington
- Colorado State
- JWU
2) I'm between a MS in Finance; Accounting; or Economics. any thoughts?
Back story: I have a Juris Doctor from a non target school (overseas, moved to the US in 2017) + Post Graduate degree in Management and English from Ohio University.
Been climbing up the ladder, working in middle-office for big banks (Citi Bank and JPMC) for a while, and made it to a middle market M&A boutique firm, working in Business Development with focus in PE.
Things changed, had to move to Chicago and got a job at the trading desk for JPMorgan here, but my main focus is getting back to IB/M&A.
JPMC sponsors my education.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s a breakdown of your situation and advice:
1. Best Non-Target Universities from Your List
While none of the listed schools are considered strong feeders into investment banking or M&A, here’s how they might stack up: - Purdue Global: Likely the strongest option on your list. Purdue has a recognizable brand name, even if Purdue Global is not the same as its flagship campus. It could carry more weight than the others. - Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU): Known for its online programs, but it doesn’t have a strong reputation in finance or economics. - Colorado State University: A decent regional school, but not known for finance or economics programs that would help you break into IB/M&A. - Wilmington University and JWU (Johnson & Wales University): These are less recognized in the finance world and would likely not add much value to your resume for IB/M&A.
If you can submit a request for a different program, consider schools with stronger finance or economics programs that are semi-targets or have better alumni networks in finance. Examples include Indiana University (Kelley), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, or even a program like Villanova’s MSF.
2. MS in Finance, Accounting, or Economics?
Given your goal of breaking back into IB/M&A, an MS in Finance is the most relevant choice. Here’s why: - MS in Finance: Directly aligns with your career goals in IB/M&A. It will help you build technical skills (e.g., financial modeling, valuation) and signal your commitment to the field. - MS in Accounting: More suited for roles in audit, tax, or corporate accounting. It’s not the best fit for IB/M&A unless you’re targeting a niche like transaction advisory services. - MS in Economics: While it can be valuable, it’s more theoretical and less directly applicable to IB/M&A compared to an MS in Finance.
3. Additional Considerations
TL;DR
Sources: The Myth of the "Target School", The Case for Choosing a Non-Target, The Case for Choosing a Non-Target, Non-Target Undergrad to Non-Target Grad to Asset Management
Hey, also based in Chicago, why dont you look into SOAS PGCert in Economic Policy?
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