Got accepted to a masters program in Canada, my gf is there, should I go?

I got accepted to a masters of finance program in Canada. Is it worth going? I want to be with her but also want to do IB. I am currently in the US, at a reputable southern school but haven’t received any traction. Is it worth going?

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Its not worth it imo, better to try US masters. Problem is Canada doesn't have a dedicated recruiting pipeline for master students, even for Canadian MBA grads some might end up starting as analyst. Spots are very limited and competitive with lot of the opportunities skewing towards schools like Ivey. Its well documented by the non-teller guy who did the same thing and is still looking for a role I believe. Better to do IB in the US and then maybe lateral to Canada if you're still dating her. Also important to note that Canadian government is changing immigration policies as public opinion on immigration has changed drastically in the last 2 years. Although the changes are meant to prevent diploma mills bringing in unqualified students, it doesn't mean government won't go further as elections are coming up and Liberals aren't doing well in polls. 

 

Associate 1 in ER:

Its not worth it imo, better to try US masters. Problem is Canada doesn't have a dedicated recruiting pipeline for master students, even for Canadian MBA grads some might end up starting as analyst. Spots are very limited and competitive with lot of the opportunities skewing towards schools like Ivey. Its well documented by the non-teller guy who did the same thing and is still looking for a role I believe. Better to do IB in the US and then maybe lateral to Canada if you're still dating her. Also important to note that Canadian government is changing immigration policies as public opinion on immigration has changed drastically in the last 2 years. Although the changes are meant to prevent diploma mills bringing in unqualified students, it doesn't mean government won't go further as elections are coming up and Liberals aren't doing well in polls. 


I got into another school in the US, but my relationship is what’s determining this decision. I could stay, but it means further long distance and she doesn’t wanna come to the US. I have no family in Canada and I really don’t want to go to Canada because I’ve heard horrible things about their job market.

 
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Short answer, "Don't do it bro".

I did the exact same thing. US university STEM undergrad then MFin in Canada for my girl - who is sitting right beside me rn. And even she just said "do long distance".

Long answer is if you are an American and it's one of maybe 2 MFins, you could hypothetically do an MFin here, then network your way and get a job in the US (depends heavily on you not needing sponsorship). But again, you still have to go back to the US for a job. And the MFin time would basically be a buffer to be spent on convincing her to move to the States.

I've been unemployed for a year now after my MFin (and this is after clearing interviews in the US). Would have started with this year's class at an EB if I didn't need H1B just to start. 

If you're not an American and you don't know anyone in Canada, you're not getting IB here. Recruiting is heavily and openly connection-based as I've sadly discovered. 

There is no future of you being in Canada and having a career. Your girl needs to understand that. 

What universities do you have acceptance for both in Canada and in the US?

 

I’m American. UFT MFE, and McGill Ms in finance. For the US it’s vandy MSF, and Columbia MFE (2-year program). My whole family is here and don’t want to go to Canada it’s just for my gf. The comp I heard is terrible but I thought I’d be able to get something good from these programs. Damn sorry to hear bruh don’t know what else to say but you should’ve stayed in the US.

 

UFT meaning UofT MFE? And McGill has MMF not MSF.

Those are the only two that place people in FO. But like I said Canadian market is terrible. UofT's advantage is summer internship possibility for internationals and close proximity to Toronto, whereas McGill ends with a summer term (or winter if you chose to do 12 months), so if you have no contacts, they'll exclude you from SA recruiting. But I don't know how it fares to US recognition. Everyone I know who placed IB there is in Toronto.

From McGill I know you can pretty much get calls at any bank in the US (undergrad has direct pipelines through clubs but as a masters you need to be proactive). I personally talked to people at each of GS/MS/EVR/LAZ and was also either in their FT process or waiting for a process to open up until direct H1B was a deterrent to all HRs. We also have one guy who is currently at PJT RSSG.

Issue is everyone who helped me in the US were people from other schools. No alums responded to my cold emails (except maybe 2 in Canada). Only alums that helped were a few I persnally met at events. And it is in Montreal - cheaper and fun to live as a young person but French required to work here so far away from Toronto if Canada is your goal.

And even in the US, due to program length you have to directly recruit FT which is very unstructured and requires constant hammering doors and being proactive.

I know Vandy is regarded well among the US MFin (although I think McGill ranks higher in rankings). And if it's the Columbia financial econ, I'm not familiar with the program and it's pipelines, but the Ivy name must carry weight and open you to a wider alumni base.

Choosing the program will ultimately depend on you, but like I said, don't hope for Canada. You'll regret to the moon and back. Your goal should be NYC recruiting - especially with the American advantage.

Don't make the mistake of trying to live in Canada. Even my girl who experienced my misfortune is recommending you not to do it, lol. That should say something.

 

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