Does a masters in finance help you get into a top MBA program?

i think so

why do you think it wont help it?

The question is "why"? An MBA is a more career oriented degree so the masters in finance will only help you if it actually helps you to attain a better JOB. MBA programs always take good work experience over certain degrees.

If youre really having a hard time finding a decent job, go for the grad finance degree and try to use it.

Otherwise, that year or two (or even three) you spend studying you could be gaining valuable job experience.

Also be prepared to answer MBA interview questions like "So, youve got a masters in finance? Why an MBA, too?"

^^^money! lol.....In this hyper competitive world, you need as much of an edge as you can get...I just thought of a masters in finance would make sense for me personally, because a) I can complete it in only 1 year b) it increases my chances of a much better job immediately fresh out the gate c) I go to a non target, and maybe getting the masters in finance fresh out at a much better school could do nothing but help me get my MBA at a top top place (NYU/Columbia are my dream schools)....any advice would be appreciated

Haha I see your still at that stage where you think if you have more degrees than a thermometer you are going to be uber rich, right?

Well it doesn't quite work that way in the real world.

Maybe I wasnt clear. A masters in finance alone will NOT help you get into a top biz school. BUT it may help you get quality work experience which will be the real determining factor of whether or not you can get into a nice bschool.

and I plan on going back to MBA school in a couple years. I basically am getting the degree because my employer will pay for it, and my undergrad was not in finance. I had this same internal debate and I have heard both sides of the "why MBA now?" argument. If you can craft a reasonable argument as to why MBA school will help you, schools will not have any problem w/ the degree.