Is 25-26 TOO OLD TO DO A MSF?
I am a 24-year-old who graduated this past December from Rutgers with a major in finance and a minor in economics; 3.6 GPA. I have been interning at a lower MM boutique IB since May of last year, but the firm is not looking to hire an analyst anytime soon since they are pretty new.I recently decided to apply to round 4 of MSF programs (Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Villanova) to re-brand myself / have another shot at full-time recruiting, but am concerned about the amount of loans I would have to take out (since round 4 applicants don't receive much scholarship funding)I am now thinking about applying in the fall (next application cycle) to be eligible for better scholarship amounts, and I could also save up for my degree and continue interning at the boutique IB, while I gain more experience.
The only issue I think I would face is that I am now 24 and will be turning 25 this December, which will result in me graduating from a MSF program at 26.
1) Would this be an issue when I apply?
2) would it be best if I apply now or in the fall?
Definitely not too old, but I recommend applying to better schools, I'd say even worth applying next cycle. Unless you also want to do an MBA later on, it's better to target better schools.
Ie Yale Asset management , Princeton mfin , mit mfin etc.
Vanderbilt is arguably the best MSF that isn’t heavily quant-focused. It places into BB banks.
You probably aren’t getting into Princeton’s program. Yale’s is new, primarily international students, and focused to asset management.
I would look heavily at Vanderbilt and even Texas. Vandy better. I have worked with multiple Vandy MSF grads who got banking from there.
Also I wouldn’t wait an entire year to reapply for $40k max scholarship. If you get into Vandy, go now. Land banking and pay your debt off with your bonus. That’s your best option imo
It’s not old at all, have friends who have done MSFS at 27-28. I wouldn’t recommend doing the MSF right now because it’s not a guarantee pathway into IB. It’s much harder than at the undergrad level and recruiting is a “create your own” opportunity pathway. I’d get some work experience and if you’re still interested in IB you can do an MBA. With IB internship experience you should be able to lateral to another boutique.
Between an MSF and MBA which would you think is better for people trying to transition from an unrelated field?
I like MBA paths more than MSF placement, if you can get a T10 MBA. I think the recruiting pipelines for a T10 FT MBA are superior.
literally know Singaporeans and Koreans as 30 year old analysts because of national service (2+ years)
age is just a number, people look at years in the industry.
No, but it’s too young to be using boomer caps in your post title ❤️
I graduated from one of the programs OP listed (Hint: it starts with a V) at 25 and had no issues securing a FT offer with a great bank in a tier 1 city. Many peers without much finance experience did very well in recruiting, including those older than me. I would definitely encourage you to get your story out there to AdComs at whichever schools seem compelling to you. They will appreciate that you're demonstrating interest in the field, have experience that you can sell in interviews, and may choose to encourage you with scholarship money despite being late in the interview cycle. They will also appreciate that you're taking the initiative to engage the program directly.
Ultimately, they care less about age and more about the factors that will help you find a job in-industry. I think you check those boxes given what you've shared here.
I will echo the above commenter who said recruiting in these programs is largely self-driven. The programs tend to provide access to the opportunities and rely on the students to do something with them. If that's something you have the work ethic and focus to do, you'll do very well.
No
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