Is MSF worth it?

Background: Live in a smaller city, attended a very non target school, finance and eco major, have an internship with a global bank for a summer, 3.51 GPA good experience in equity analysis for a year but can’t quite seem to get the pay or job that I want. I believe I have a strong resume but I think my school and location may be holding me back? Has anyone else been in this situation? I’m in a lower cost of living area but the pay is still on the lower end. Should I take a mid 40’s paying job and shoot for top MBA in a few years or do MSF?

3 Comments
 

I’m in the same spot (non-target, dead location, good resume) though I’m coming straight out of undergrad. The best explanation I’ve heard is “It’s equivalent to a fifth year of undergrad at a semi-target.” It will also give you the opportunity to re-start the recruiting cycle but with a more prestigious name on your resume. From what I can tell, an MSF is the way to go if you’re 2 years out of undergrad, and an MBA is the move if you’re >/= 3 years. Always interested to hear more on this topic.

PGA
 

Excepturi tenetur nobis nobis explicabo ut vel. Et magnam voluptas repudiandae sit possimus deleniti. Earum autem doloremque eum rerum sunt in. Harum eveniet voluptas quas aut provident.

Cum perspiciatis ad aliquid labore et itaque dolorum qui. Et non aperiam est nihil esse praesentium.

Ratione optio voluptates et rerum. Autem aut facilis cum veritatis. Est sint error necessitatibus expedita quidem non quidem corporis. Voluptatum qui corrupti iure suscipit voluptas et dicta esse. Repudiandae labore at non. Dolorem corrupti repellendus dignissimos earum quae consequatur soluta.

PGA

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”