Accelerated Master's in Finance as an undergraduate: will this hurt me?

I am participating in my college's BA/MA program in economics and finance. I will be earning a B.A. in Economics and M.A. in Finance (accelerated Master's program). I study both subjects concurrently, and will graduate in the normal 4-year college period. I chose to do the program because it places very well into IBD. Hopefully I will do 2 years in investment banking, several years in PE/VC, then hopefully an MBA at a place like Harvard/Stanford/Wharton/UChicago.

Will my program hurt my chances? or does the handicap only apply to those who get an M.A. in Finance post-undergrad?

Thanks guys and have a good night!

11 Comments
 

Seems like a waste of cash and time, especially if you are planning to go back into an MBA at a later point. And by time I mean, if it brings down your undergrad GPA and interferes with networking + internships... and living your life.

 

Hi ArcherVice, thanks for the reply. It's actually not too bad. There is no extra cost involved because it is a selective, scholarship based program. I am even studying abroad next semester because I have extra credits. So I'll be okay in that regard. I'm just concerned that top MBAs will ding me because I received an M.Fin during my 4 years at undergrad...

Passion. Focus. Drive
 

Good to hear, based on that it doesn't sound like a bad deal. I can't say how schools will react for their admission process. Wish you well!

 

MBA adcoms will not care. Worst it won't have any impact, most likely/best case, it will help your application. I'd probably not student finance again at the MBA level since you'll have a masters in it. Would be a good opportunity to student international relations or maybe tech. Either way I think it would make your MBA easier and more enjoyable (especially if you tried studying finance at Wharton/UChicago).

 

I mean it will hurt you insofar as the academic burden lowers your overall GPA. If you can handle the coursework then I don't see a problem.

“Elections are a futures market for stolen property”
 

I'm asking the same question. But from what I can see it seems that an MSF, at worst, will not affect your prospects but at best, will help in either getting into IB or MBA. But then again, you might be US based and I'm not so there could be different contexts. I know a Fixed-income trader who has a master's in Finance. Seems to be doing well.

 

Getting a masters will not hurt your MBA chances. The only way it would impact them is if the work load caused you to get a substandard GPA. As long as you can do well and graduate it will have either no effect or a positive effect. You'll be fine.

 

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