LBS MFA NOW OR MIT MFin 1 gap year?
Hi everyone,
I’ve been accepted to both the LBS MFA and the MIT MFin programs.
A bit about me: I studied Economics and Finance at Bocconi University. I’ve completed three summer internships — one at KPMG, one in Investment Advisory at a local investment bank, and my current one is in Equity Research at a portfolio management company.
Due to visa issues, if I choose MIT, I’ll likely need to defer for a year and spend that time working in Turkey. In that case, I plan to work in M&A at a local investment bank, since I believe it’s the only area in Turkish finance that’s still worth gaining experience in — most other financial sectors here are underdeveloped.
Here are the choices:
- MIT MFin is more quantitative and academically intense, and aligns well with my long-term goal of working in global macro hedge funds. Eventually, I’d like to end up at the Central Bank of Turkey, so I’m more interested in global markets than corporate finance.
- LBS MFA would allow me to start immediately, is less technical, and would let me focus on recruiting and breaking into the London job market faster.
So my question is: Is it worth taking a gap year to go to MIT, with all the extra effort and time it requires — or would going straight to LBS be the smarter path?
Any suggestions are appreciated.
It makes zero sense to take a gap year if you plan on working at some no name boutique in Turkey. LBS is the obvious choice, enjoy London
Would it make sense if I found a job in Italy or at the Turkey office of a global firm during my gap year?
I’m not sure — but to be honest, the course content and overall program at MIT interest me more. Isn’t MIT considered one of the top programs globally?
Of course, there’s the opportunity cost of delaying everything by one year, as you mentioned.
But even if I end up working at a boutique firm, I’d still be gaining real experience — wouldn’t that be valuable in the long run?
I'll be honest, I don't know anything about the turkish market. With "global firms" you mean big4 or what? For BBs, I'd guess the coverage teams are not located in Turkey, correct me if I'm wrong. Again, unless you're really set on working in the US, LBS is the obvious choice here.
Would usually say MIT in a heartbeat, but with the Trump visa revocation amongst others, I’m not so sure. It’s really a toss up, but I would still lean towards MIT.
LBS no question.
Turkish born, did HS/Uni in America, work in banking.
Honest truth is; Turkish experience means nothing. Maybe less than nothing. My parents with cpas / cfas and years of c suite experience in Istanbul at international firms (think Vodafone, deutche bank, apple, Nike, etc), started careers / studied in Europe and the USA, were reduced to almost nothing, needing to restart careers by 20 years. Literally went from C suite at public companies to snr manager/directors at mid sized firms. They spoke perfect English as they worked in London/nyc at the start of careers, attended English schools in turkey, etc.
Now as a banker, I like interviewing Turkish people, even tho im white washed I like to grill peeps about their soccer teams, but it’s never easy to convince others that their experience in Istanbul is equivalent to another city like Milan, London, or even Detroit.
Another aspect, is racism. If youre turkish, especially if ur muslim in america,youll be looped into 1 group as “middle eastern Arab” which the avg person has such negative views on from decades of movies portraying the Middle East like a terror area. I’m white passing, and don’t speak with an accent, but see how differently my dad and brother who are SLIGHTLY darker than me, because the average person here thinks they’re Mexican… I’m sure you could imagine how great the convo goes when you tell a maga guy “I’m not Mexican, I’m from turkey” a country they only see as a dictator run fail state that can’t control their economy, bordering Iran, Syria, and Iraq. 3 countries their military has attacked and the average citizen has very negative views on.
Finally, the visa will give you issues. They’re currently removing people’s student visas. Harvard is forced to get into an agreement with UofToronto so their international students can finish their degree. Grad students, such as Turkish student at tufts got abducted by masked ice agents.
I’m not tryna hate on the USA or all Americans, but I want to give you the honest truth. A lot of Turkish people don’t consider how negative the average westerner views us and our country, since we have a distorted view that we are also a western country.
I’d recommend UK without a doubt. More opportunities across Europe, closer to home, better doner, manti, and an AMAZING Adana kebab culture.
Happy to answer more specific questions on the immigration, intl student, and/or Turkish exp, best of luck.
firstly, thanks a lot for your insights
about the racism thing yeah I kinda agree — Turkey is usually seen as a Middle Eastern country. even though I’m from Turkey, I’ve got dual citizenship so I was thinking of using my Ukrainian passport. I know I’d still kinda feel a bit excluded, but maybe a bit less like that.
yeah with the new US administration, getting visas is honestly a mess. I’m having trouble getting my F1 right now. but from what I read, after graduation I can still go back to London or maybe even Dubai or Singapore. I feel like MIT just has a bit more global weight compared to LBS.
also one of my issues with LBS is that it feels way more focused on corporate finance stuff, while MIT is more flexible — and I’m more into global markets / financial engineering I guess.
and I’ve got an international background too, did my undergrad in Italy so that helps a bit.
and tbh another reason I lean towards MIT is cause I just feel like it opens more doors. like yeah I know it’s kinda biased but when people hear MIT they’re like “woah,” even if they’re not in finance — while LBS doesn’t really get that same reaction unless they know the field. MIT just feels more like an “accomplishment” to me, which probably makes my thinking less logical but still, it matters.
Mit is definitely a better program, and the quant side makes it more known, but I think the risk of potentially losing your visa outweighs anything else. Even ignoring all other aspects, that would set career back
I think LBS is more corporate finance focused compared to MIT, which might not be what you want given what you are saying. However, I do not think you can go wrong with either; both are great programs.
Ut quia dolores est nemo. Est eius velit dignissimos eum. Nemo aut dicta dolores facilis odio. Maxime qui delectus molestiae veritatis necessitatibus consectetur dignissimos. Atque quas est nihil eius. Alias et voluptatem et dolorem ut iusto consequatur voluptatem. Non asperiores repudiandae dolor.
Architecto quam aut saepe in iusto et. Beatae consectetur qui maxime ullam. Maiores cum quos doloremque excepturi numquam. Est harum vero sit ratione.
Soluta sit delectus amet eius. Quo asperiores illum cupiditate temporibus molestias.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...