For international students, MFin/MSF in the US or in the UK? (high finance)

Here’s from an international who did MFin in Canada. 

1. If you want US, do US. Most folks in your class are people who discovered finance later and are pivoting. Only a few percent truly are determined and want IB/PE. Those who do want it and are prepared before even reaching school, definitely get it.

2. Canada is useless to break into if you don’t have any connections. FT hiring is mostly rigged. You wouldn’t believe the shit I heard and seen. People brag about it openly.

3. If you have US work permit or are from a country that gets special visa (and do not need H1B lottery just to start), then you can actually break into the US from a Canadian MFin (don’t do anything other than McGill MMF or UofT MFE, all others are useless).

For instance, I networked and got referrals from very senior bankers at a top BB, two top EBs, and a mid tier BB from a McGill MFin. But I needed H1B just to start. Was still getting special treatment and was told to get a few years experience and we can help lateral by HR.

4. Doing MFin in London is very mainstream so obviously recruiting is more structured. But everyone is gunning for the same roles so might be more competition. But can’t specifically speak for London as I didn’t go to school there.

I have actually seen folks who did MFin in US/Canada start work in London (you don’t need visa sponsorship for 2 years if you graduate from a top 50 uni).

5. Lastly, some of the US unis if you take a look at their international student population is less than 10%, I don’t recall names anymore but just look at class statistics. Basically, you are just a datapoint for them about whether they can place you or not. And some of them don’t want to ruin their precious 100% placement statistic by hiring international students who tend to not get offers from a 10-month / 1 year program due to sponsorship requirement. And don’t bother applying to UT Austin, even with top grades and awards from the UT system, got rejected. Everyone I knew who got in already had summer internships and were citizens, so their placement was already in place. Most of international students at these few schools that got in were already planning to return home. And their placements are all back home.

MIT had started an option to complete the first sem online one class at a time for it’s MFin program. Gets your fee down and helps you stand out if you get good grades (as exams are 90% of the grade and heavy proctored from eye movement to room movement). I still could not afford MIT after doing the 4-5 courses online, so had to go to Canada. But didn’t know about the broken recruiting beforehand. So def do not go to Canada.

Hopefully people provide insights about London, but like I said, if you can network and are gunning for it and want US. Then start out in the US at a good brand name uni, don’t just rely on percent of people in FO roles, because only few are gunning for it. And start networking before you step into school. I personally feel US recruiting is “easier” than the stupid assessments and Hirevues in London, because if you have the social skills and prepared, you can get a role if you do your part.