Is it okay if one applies to MS Finance such as Vanderbilt at 27?
Thing is MBA is 2 years and very expensive with unnecessary courses. I know its value other than its academic value but unfortunately I can't finance it without drowning myself in loans. So What if I apply to a top MS Finance such as Vanderbilt instead? All post experience finance programs such so I'm looking at pre-expereince ones. What I like about them is their relevance (relevance), straight-forwardness, the 1 one year nature, the fact they're STEM and the other fact that it is generally considered more advanced than an MBA with less to no RFEs (I've verified this myself). So I think an MS is more suitable for me. The issue I'm worrying about is what will adcoms think about me and how will it affect my recruiting. Any helpful input would be appreciated!
The oldest I've seen do an MSF at Vanderbilt is 25 -- and yes it really affects your recruiting. A lot of jobs MSFs take are entry level ones and they are competing with seniors for jobs starting the following summer. You wouldn't fit the mold for any of those.
The reality is the MBA is the better degree and really what you should be choosing at your age. MSF is a 1-2 year out reset button or an I messed up/didn't have recruiting at my school and want another shot with a better brand. I understand your hesitancy to do an MBA because of the loans, but the reality is you should be making a high enough salary to afford those loans. If you're not, you probably aren't going into a field that you can justify getting an MBA for.
Agree with above. If you’re dead set on MSF it can’t hurt to apply. MSF is great but MBA is the superior degree - plenty of people who went to Vanderbilt for the MSF are getting MBAs 4-6 years down the road. Getting an MSF is not a replacement for MBA by any means. It’s really just a 5th year of undergrad and that’s how I’d view it.
Spot on.
1) telling someone to just get a top MBA is easier said than done.
2) a MSF isn’t a 5th year of UG. Material is far more in depth.
3) A MSF is a graduate degree and that’s how it’s perceived.
As for the OP - 27 isn’t too old if you aren’t where you want with your career and don’t have the experience to do a T25 MBA somewhere. Plenty of people do an MSF and never do an MBA. In the what, almost decade I’ve been doing what I do for the MSF I’d say no more than 25-30% of MSF graduates do an MBA.
I don't disagree. But no one is perceiving my MSF degree as they would an MBA. Also, if you have the profile for Vandy MSF you likely have the makings of a profile for a top MBA.
I turned 27 during my MSF program. Matriculated at 26. I was the second oldest. There was another that was 28. I too favored the MSF because of the shorter length of the program and because of my age. My work experience was a drag as well.
As far as I can tell, it had no negative impact on recruiting whatsoever. I went into a credit AM with a L/S equity hedge fund arm (cross capital structure strategy) and the other guy went into IB.
So I disagree that your age will limit you.
Did you have any experience when you recruited for AM? I would like to go into big 4 financial consulting but most position available to MSFs are entry level. Do you think I'll be considered for those positions at my experience level?
I interned at a healthcare valuation boutique throughout the program. That was the only relevant experience on my resume. The fund manager was a Wash U alum and the school facilitated an internship which then turned into an offer.
I used my experience at the fund (familiarity with complex cap structures) and from the boutique valuation firm to get into Big 4 bval. I came in as an associate - the entry level.
It´s actually fairly common in Europe. Know a few people who went straight to IB after their UG, did their 2 years and then started a 1-2 year consecutive MFin. Much cheaper, arguably more interesting content-wise and some time off to recruit for the buyside.
It's hard to say without knowing your undergrad and job experience.
Georgetown's MSF skews older, you could try looking into that
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