Did I go wrong? Chose Oxford MFE instead of Harvard MPP.
My heart says Harvard MPP while my brain says Oxford MFE. In the end I chose the latter.
Oxford MFE is one of the best pre-experience finance programs in Europe, so I'm confident that my career will turn out fine.
However, attending Harvard has been a dream of mine since young. I understand that MPP isn't an ideal degree for a career in finance but I believe that with hustle I could have gotten looks somewhere.
Am I being rational?
Do you want to work in the US or EU? Plain and simple — you can do anything you want in the US with a degree from H. Recruiters will throw themselves at you, investors will throw themselves at you, whatever you are romantically interested in will throw (it)self at you.
No clue if this applies to EU also but I assume the H brand carries itself globally.
I’ve heard of Oxford (US based) and know it’s a good school, but honestly unaware of its supposed H-equivalent stature. I’m sure it carries weight in London offices, but unsure of its true ubiquity. Side note: I could be / probably am just totally ignorant here. Also you should choose the program that best matches your academic and eventual professional aspirations, regardless of the school brand.
If you could get into these programs you already have the traits required to go very far in life, with or without the degree. IMO you’ll get more prestige points stateside from H, but that should be a lot less relevant than the fit of the program you choose within your overall career plan.
Thanks for your prompt reply. I already chose Oxford, so in the short term I'll be working in the UK. In the long term I want to work in the US, so I'll either ask to be relocated back or attend a top MBA.
My only regret is Harvard's prestige and brand - from my understanding it carries a lot of weight both in the US as well as internationally. Oxford is also a strong brand, but less so in the States and the alumni network there is obviously weaker.
Prestige and alumni network go a long way, but so does a foot in the door. If Oxford is your golden ticket for UK recruiting, then the lateral to US is yours when you want it. Idk how your taxes work but I think you’ll take home a significant amount more in the US if you do make the move eventually. Maybe consider multinational and/or US-based firms in recruiting so you can more easily change location without throwing career for a loop. But remember to enjoy that Oxford prestige in the UK for a while!
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