A little background about me, 3.5 GPA-non target finance major and work experience I have is pretty much in sales like ATT and BestBuy, was promoted to assistant manager at ATT. I was a intern this past summer at a headhunting firm. I graduate this upcoming May and have nothing lined up for full-time. If I don't get anything full-time I am thinking of applying to Mfin programs for Fall for 2013. I would like to break into banking and was wondering what programs are good and are they worth the money? I am going be in debt because of the school I currently attend and don't want to get into more debt if I cant walk out with a good paying job. I havent taken my GMAT yet, but you do believe me not having "finance work experience" but me in a disadvantage with schools like Duke, MIT Villonova, Vanderbilt?
Thanks..
A lack of work experience will probably put you at a disadvantage at most schools, especially since you mentioned some pretty big names. But if you can score well enough on the GMAT you may be able to swing something.
I think having some internship experience is good. I have a friend who got accepted to MIT right outta college. Engineering major though, from a top engineering public uni, and a couple of internships with big engineering firms. He got a FT IBD position with a BB from the program. I do think he is the exception to the norm though. Most of his classmates ended up in finance as well, but not in IBD. Doable, but you gotta outhustle everyone else once you get there. If you can get in, MIT MFin will get you into some type of finance role almost with certainty. Can't really comment about other schools.
Given that you majored in finance without any internships in the industry, it might be tough to beat out your competition for these type of programs though if you don't have anything outstanding.
For what its worth, I know of someone who has a similar background to yours (not sure how well he did on the GMAT, but must have been decently high), and he was able to get his MFin from Duke. Upon graduating he had an IB offer lined up at Wells Fargo. From my understanding, Duke MFin often places kids at Wells Fargo and BofA in Charlotte. Probably not the norm, but definitely possible.
As mentioned above, kill the GMAT and you should have a shot
Thank you for the advise, anyone else?
If you score well on your GMAT you will be able to go anywhere you want. Start studying.
GMAT is key. Your assistant manager experience will help you if you are interested in F500 rotational programs. Banking not so much.
Even if I get into Duke or the schools I mentioned above?
I hear http://www.gmatpill.com is good. Check it out. Focus on the GMAT.
All the schools you listed have F500 companies come on campus for recruiting. Duke/UVA have stronger OCR than Nova/Vandy.
Your experience will help you with F500. If that is your goal, all are fine. If banking is your goal, Duke/UVA might help you a little more. If you have a banking/finance internship all the schools should be accretive to your career.
Duke's MMS might be your best bet considering you were an assistant manager and the program is a masters in management studies. For the other schools listed with traditional MSF's, not having finance experience will make things tougher as far as admission goes (I think you might as well eliminate MIT from the group cuz you ain't getting in with no finance internships/full-time).
Thank you so much for the advise. I do believe I might have a shot at Duke if i do well on my GMAT. Ant your resume service it says "free consultation" does that mean you help us with the process of getting the application done?
Most of the MSF programs are pre-experience so if you do well on your GMAT you still have a good shot. Princeton and MIT are probably not an option due to your lack of experience though.
Depending on your GMAT you could definitely get in to some of the other MSF programs.
Be advised the final rounds are coming up for MSF's so you have a limited time to take your GMAT. Be aware that R4 or R5 at these schools will be lots of fun to apply in as well. FML.
Well I wouldn't apply for this upcoming fall, i would apply for next upcoming fall, for worst case scenario. My dad works for a import/export company where I could work in the accounting department this summer and fall and have some experience to apply to Duke. I was on Dukes website they seem to take people with less than 3.5 and less than 650 on GMAT. So if I dedicate an entire summer to studying I hopefully kill my GMAT.
Sounds good then. Good luck. http://www.gmatpill.com
Sounds good then. Good luck. http://www.gmatpill.com[/quote]
So you think my chances are good? If I get a good GMAT score?
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