MSc Finance overlaps CFA program, where is the value ? MSc Econ an alternative ?
Hello everyone,
I am currently rethinking my whole career plan and I need your advice.
Here’s my profile: 22 years old male, French, graduated from a Top 3 B-School in Canada GPA: 3.75 / 4.3 (fluent in English, Spanish, French); GMAT: 640 (Q 38; V 39); CFA level 1 passed in December 2013, CFA level 2 candidate June 2015
Extra-curricular activities: Student athlete plus administrative role in the athletic program of my university, no particular and relevant job experience, various scholarships for academic and sport achievements.
My long term professional goal is to work either as a portfolio manager either as an economist analyst whether in the private or public sector. My short term goal is more of an issue as I don’t know which path I should take to reach my long term objective. My personal goal is to attain a strong understanding of the macroeconomic and capital markets mechanisms, decent programming skills (I start from scratch); speak another language by the age of 25. I reckon it can sound very dull.
At first, I thought a MiF to be my best option. As you see, I am also involved in the CFA program which I consider an excellent self-education tool. So here’s the thing. I find myself wondering why I would pay a lot of money for a curriculum I have already in my bedroom books (at least 70% for the schools CFA partners). I don’t want to spend the first semester reviewing classes I have already seen the content, before I could select electives that are far more interesting. But don’t get me wrong. Of course there is the value of teaching, networking, prestige of the school etc. and of course you learn much more during a MiF than with the CFA program, and of course there are some really good Mif free of charge for EU students.
So I am not rejecting at all the idea itself of enrolling in an MSc but maybe I can get more value in another master program than the traditional MiF. This is where I need your help. Can MSc in Economics present a good alternative? Are they compatible with my career plan? I had this first feeling that MSc Econ lead to mostly PhD, insurance work? Am I wrong?
Their curriculums seem very attractive to me but I have only studied Macro I and Micro I before going full finance classes during my BBA; do I have any chance entering such programs with my profile? Why is GRE more important than the GMAT for those programs, do they require more advanced math skills than a basic BBA graduate would have?
Here are the MSc I am considering.
Master of Science in Economics at SSE
Master in Economics or Master in Quantitative Economics and Finance (looks very strong) at HSG
Master in EBA Applied Economics and Finance at CBS
Does it make any sense to you? I know that’s a lot of question marks but please don’t hesitate to share your insights. Any opinion concerning any part of this post really matters to me.
Thank you so much for your time. Take care all!
PS: I will be posting this on other forums to get maximum feedback, sorry for the spam.
Not to shatter your dreams but if your Q gmat score is only 38 don't do an MSc in Economics, the math will be way over your head. Economics is a very quantitative science where you need really good math skills to succeed. Also, if you want to be a portfolio manager, why do an MSc Economics instead of a Finance one? Take a look at the finance programs from SSE and RSM. They're both the best in their own respective countries and carry quite some prestige in the rest of Europe. You might also want to think about retaking the GMAT if you think you can improve your score so that you can expand the range of schools/programs you can apply to, cause for top schools 640 is too low.
Thank your for your insight!
I have already looked at RSM and SSE and I will certainly apply for both. Although, I will retake the GMAT to improve my chances, do you think I stand any with my current profile?
I think a 38 score in Q doesn't reflect properly my relationship with maths. I am certainly neither a genius nor a "more than average quick thinker" but I like maths and I am not scared of extra work. PM and Economics are both distinct areas that really awaken my interest. I heard that Msc Econ also lead to Asset Management careers, is it true ? I also want to diversify a bit my education, otherwise it's only finance finance finance and if I don't like the work environment, I need an exit door.
Thanks again!
Have you taken linear algebra, differential equations, probability theory and real analysis? Most business majors have nowhere near the math background required for graduate level economics.
How the fuck is your GMAT quant so low? Raise that up big time before even thinking about doing a msc econ or finance.
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