Accepted to Villanova MSF and Miami Herbert MSF – Looking for Advice

Hey everyone,

I was fortunate enough to be accepted into both the Villanova MSF and the University of Miami Herbert MSF programs, 2026.

I'd really appreciate any advice or insights!

A little about me: I currently work in a back-office risk role at a bank, and my goal is to use an MSF as a way to break into high finance (IB, ER, AM, etc.). I know I'll have to network regardless of where I go, but I want to maximize my chances.

From what I've gathered:

• Villanova seems to have a strong alumni network, especially in NYC. I've tried reaching out to several alumni on LinkedIn but haven't had much success getting responses, so I'm not sure how active or helpful the network is in practice.
• Miami Herbert seems to be benefiting from the growth of the Miami finance scene, with firms and financial professionals relocating from NYC. I'm wondering if those opportunities are translating into better recruiting for students or if it's still more limited than people make it out to be.

For those familiar with either program:

• Which school would give me the best shot at breaking into high finance?
• How strong is the alumni network and career services?
• How difficult is it to place into investment banking or other front-office finance roles from each program?
• If you were in my position, which would you choose and why?

I have to make my decision soon, so any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!