Just for placement into a BB or MBB + Tier 1.5 Shops (OW, Monitor, LEK), if you were having cocktails with me, which would impress you more?
The reason is outside of HR, which is more of a barrier than a helping hand, it is usually the VP/MD/Manager/Partner who submits a requisition for the new budget, needing a new analyst or intern. And HR just has to do it.
In Asia, I learned--esp. in Singapore--whereas liberal arts degrees are forgiven in the USA, here it's a Finance/Accounting/General Business degree from a Singapore Management University, etc. Regardless of your internship/work experience. You have to have the degree.
I have the MBA in my sights 3-4 years later, but to get a job, which stepping stone degree?
(Have all prerequisites, and no BS about going there to learn, it's all about placement for jobs i've done before, understanding that a MSF/MPA is an uphill battle that won't get me a job, just the interview).
Here's the list for a recent grad. who recognizes the value of both the need for BRAND and QUANT (or perception of quant).
UK
LBS MMS
LSE MSc Finance
LSE MSc Accounting & Finance (Confused about the difference here).
USA
Vanderbilt MSF
WUSTL MSF (Despite I'm always awake for Citi, pretty recognized program)
UIUC MSF
DUKE MSF (MMS) - Brand new but Duke Name
Accounting (USA)
UT Austin McCombs MPA
USC Leventhal MAcc.
Let's frame it around brand, alumni, and recruiting. All I know is, as long as recruiters come to campus, I am set. I don't need to bus it to hundreds of other schools anymore.
I realized I could play the cold-email/crashing parties lottery, or get what I need to shoot fish in a barrel.
Thanks!
LSE MSc Finance is tops here.
How would you view a LBS Masters in Management Nouveau? The LSE MSc is rolling admissions, 80 spots.
I don't know. LSE is tops if you want to work in Europe. Duke would be tops in the USA.
What do you think of a pre-employment like the Duke MMS vs. say, an accounting masters that prepares you for a CFA? Long term, the network vs. the skillset.
Thanks Anthony
MPA - Give you the 150 credit hours to sit for the CPA. That is about it. You might be able to spring board into a Big 4 gig, but they pay like shit. My friend just got an offer from E&Y, MAcc degree, 55K a year.
MSF - good CFA prep. Another shot at recruiting. 2nd network to work with. Graduate degree in finance. Will help you going into F500, Banking, S&T, etc. Not as well known as the MPA/MAcc, but gaining.
MMS - Duke owns this one. Wake Forest has another decent program. You get the Fuqua name and network. Programs gives you a solid business overview. Access to world class recruiters. They are putting time, money and effort into the program.
Now I love many of the Euro MSc programs, but the thing is, they really struggle coming back into the states. The network is different, recruiting is set up for the UK/Europe and name recognition is tricky. LSE is well known for sure, but a lot of the other schools are still not well known. You need to be really prepared to work overseas and eventually make your way back.
Awesome, thanks for the detailed pros/cons. Duke definitely seems to be investing a lot into the MMS program. I'm looking at the LBS MMS and Duke MMS with the most interest. Then the LSE and WUSTL MSF.
Big 4 gigs really pay shit. The only chance for IB is Texas MPA. Thanks for the advice man. WIsh I knew all this sophomore year to get a job, but nothing is too late.
I am waiting on a friend to review WUSTL for me, but I am hearing rumors that placements are not where they ought to be.
MSF degrees are great, but you either go into banking or you try for F500. You need to be comfortable with that or else I would suggest another degree.
MSF seems to be it. My degree would just be for IB and consulting. Not keen on F500 anymore after working for several and a chaebol.
Some programs like the Claremont one really pushed me away, as on the website, 1 or 2 landed MM gigs. The rest relatively unknown. Vanderbilt had it at 26% placement after graduation, and then much better 9 mo. after graduation at 60-70%.
As long as you get to use the school's resume drop system, can attend the same career fairs--that'll be a big improvement over my undergrad experience. (The business school wouldn't let us use their erecruiting page... that means no math/econ/etc. majors).
Doesn't WUSTL require you to have taken calc I, II, & III?
I didn't see that on the site--it said 2 semesters of Calc which I've taken. But I could take differential at some online but credit program like UCLA Extension
Anyone know if they're flexible on that? I've only taken 1 semester but have good internships.
I'm not crazy about the midwest so I'm not crazy about WUSTL - am I crazy to say that? I'm also unaware of what their IB placement looks like...
I'm a senior at a non-target with little in recruitment ops and career services. I haven't managed to secure a ft offer, and I am also considering a stepping stone degree to get access to more recruitment opportunities. I don't have a strong math background, so MSF programs aren't really an option. Would a MPA/MAcc. from a top state university (UVA, Michigan, Texas) set me up well to get some 1st round banking interviews? While it may not be better than a MSF, surely a Macc degree will be better than just a undergrad degree from a non-target...
Definitely get a Masters instead of dragging undergrad for another year. No one really cares about two Ugrad degrees or two majors (much less minors).
Take the GMAT--MSFs don't need an exceptionally strong background. You're thinking of MIT, Princeton.
Texas MPA will get you the interview. It's also the top school for accounting. The MPA lists many banks and consulting companies for the MPA recruiting services. Spending a lot of money and resources marketing the program and bringing in speakers.
You'll find your cue in job postings. For example, if you go to blackrock.com's careers, you'll see a masters in finance, econ, accounting is not required but a "plus." These are for entry jobs.
Seems like everybody in Europe and Asia are getting masters degrees.
Surely it is better.
That's encouraging to hear, thanks for the advice. I haven't had even basic calc, so I'm still not sure if I could get into a MSF program with good recruitment opportunities, but I have a shot at some top accounting programs for sure. I'm applying a bit late in the process (taking the GMAT early January) but I will still be able to meet scholarship deadlines. I am also looking into the London School of Economics Masters in Accounting and Finance program if I score well on the GMAT.
Looking at the placement at WUSTL, I think you might be better off at Florida. Their placement is pretty solid. If you can get in, they can probably get you on to Wall Street if you want it.
Just see this thread. I got into LBS MiM, LSE MSc Management and Duke MMS. I choose Duke Fuqua for mainly to work in the US (as I come from the EU, but kind of immigrant) and for the name recognition.
LSE is not to be advised if you are thinking industry and solid business like consulting. It is not a business school and many graduates from there told me they did not get so much career support. It is mainly for econ and finance.
LBS and Duke Fuqua was a hard decision, as many would argue LBS is one of the best business schools. However, only 3% started their jobs in the US from the MiM in 2010.. Truly, it must be that networks are formed for the EU..
I'd also like to throw two University of Cambridge programs into the ring: MPhil Management and MPhil in Finance. Both programs are relatively small (especially the MPhil in Management), but the placement stats that I've seen are quite good for both.
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