Is a MSF the right choice for me?
So my background is this. I go to a complete non target and due to life events have a low 3.2 gpa. I have 3 years of RIA wealth management experience and my Series 7. I have dreams of either IBD or S&T. Would it make sense for me to rock out a msf with a good gpa? If so what GMAT would I need to be competitive for Duke MMS, UVA MS Commerce, Nova, or Vandy??
My other option would be to get a job for a couple years and go for top MBA, but will my gpa allow me to get a job that will be good enough for top 15 MBA??
I appreciate any help
come on someone must have an opinion
Your WE is on the high end, as MSF's are usually for people with less than 3 years WE, after 3 yrs your best bet is to wait to apply for an MBA.
If your dead set on MSF and IB/S&T are your goals you can knock off Duke MMS (not a strong track record of placing in either out of this program and relatively new) and UVA (you need to have less than 1 yr full-time WE and a non-business degree).
Vandy is arguably the top domestic MSF (excluding MIT/Princeton, more Quant focused) as far as placements are concerned, especially in the South.
Villanova is primarily for NYC/Philly/Northeast, they place into more MM and Boutique banks.
Aside from those two I would look at WUSTL, UT, USC, and possibly BC depending on where you would like to work post-msf.
TNA is the guy for all things MSF related, so if he has anything to add/subtract to my comments I would follow his suggestions over mine.
EDIT: May have misunderstood your post, if your still an undergrad add UVA back to the list there placements are on par if not better than Vandy's and disregard my first comment about having too much WE.
I have worked for 3 years but only a year of it was full time. I am currently a junior in undergrad.
Part of me wants to say wait for an MBA. The issue is the following:
1) Non Target 2) Lowish GPA 3) So So work experience
Unless you crush the GMAT and have some solid EC's you will face a tough MBA application cycle.
If you get into a good MSF program you could redirect things. Add a solid brand, better GPA and a new career would greatly improve your MBA options if that was the main goal. I can tell you that a lot of MSF grads I know of never end up getting an MBA. If you go to a program like Vanderbilt or WUSTL you'll effectively have a T25-30 business school brand on your resume. Once you get the work experience people will view your masters in a much more favorable light.
I think a 680 or above would set you up well for the MSF's you listed. You'll stand out because of your work experience and the series 7. The GPA isn't that bad and your non-target school won't hurt you much as well. Do well on the GMAT and you'll be competitive for these programs.
Would you look at duke or uva or would you stick with msf programs?
I would look at UVA, the Finance track of their MS in Commerce is essentially an MSF equivalent
As someone who went to one of the best MSFs, and considered UVA, I can tell you that that is not entirely true. They have 17 hours of finance classes, including intro classes. My program has 25 hours of finance (6 hours of accounting, 5 of stats/econ making 36 total).
So yes, it is a finance concentration but the program has nowhere near as much finance as an MSF.
I want to apply to nova as well but j haven't decided where I'd like to live after so I figured I'd go for the best overall brand if I go that route.
@Texas_Fight2015" how was the OCR at your campus? was it worth it for you?
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