Master's programs in the US

Hey everyone,

I’m a 21-year-old undergrad student from Norway (BBA at BI Norwegian Business School) and currently working to get into investment banking, ideally in the U.S. I know that breaking into IB as an international student is already tough, and trying to do it from a non-target European undergrad makes it even harder.

That said, I’m strongly considering applying to the MSF program at UT Austin (McCombs) and wanted to ask:

  • How is McCombs MSF perceived by IB firms (especially in Texas)? Is it worth it for someone who isn’t from a U.S. undergrad?
  • Do international students actually break into IB from McCombs? I’ve heard mixed things about visa sponsorships and placement.
  • Is McCombs a realistic and smart path to IB in Houston/Dallas/other good cities, or would you recommend other MSF programs?
  • Anything I should be aware of as a European trying to break into U.S. IB through this route?

If anyone also have gone to this mater program. I'd love to hear about ideal GMAT scores and min GPA requirments. On US scale I'll probably graduate with anything between 3.4-3.7. Roughly converted from Norwegian grading standards.

For context, I’ve got a VC internship lined up this summer, solid upward grade trend (Norwegian scale), and aiming to apply for MSF next year.

Really appreciate any advice from people who’ve been through the process or have insight into U.S. recruiting as an international.

Thanks in advance!

2 Comments
 

i thought that program was designed for people with no finance background? Could be wrong

if you just take 5 min reading their employment report, you would find that no one.... no one from 2024 went into banking, 7% of the student (4) went into PE/VC/ LBO and the highest pay out of the 4 is 100k

 

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