MSc in Europe, as a Canadian
Hi guys, I'm here to pose the question, would I be making a mistake pursuing a MSc Finance in Europe as a Canadian. I will preface with my profile
Age: 21, can graduate by spring
Undergrad: Non Target Western Canada Business School, Finance major, Economics minor. (4.0/4.0 or 89.87% GPA)
GMAT: 760 (51Q,41V,7IR)
Work Experience; only notable is 8months as a marketing analyst for a big4 Canadian telecom, primarily analytics.
Extra : Investment club member, operated 5 figure earning websites since 2016
Rationale:
Opportunities here are kind of weak, primarily crowncorp, government jobs and few firms other than big4 with regional offices operating in my province. The co-op opportunities have significantly degraded every year I have been a student. In applying to some European programs, I'd hope to work abroad London or elsewhere and eventually return back to Canada in less than 5 years, albeit not necessarily to the prairies. My current situation is that I am applying to co-op jobs, 4 or 8 months hoping to get a better position for when I choose to graduate (reduced courseload so can at any time really), or alternatively head into a masters programs in the fall.
My interest in applying to European programs is they have seemingly less consideration towards experience, with the exception of the Rotman MFRM program, most Canadian programs seem to want experience and rightfully so.
Currently I have applied to Bocconi MSc Finance, and am going to apply to ESSEC MSc Finance, WU Vienna MSc QFIN, as well as LSE (for fun primarily) and any other UK schools I have yet to decide on.
Any input as to my decision on applying to European programs, or any questions you guys can probe further to help me realize a decision? Thank you.
You're selling yourself short - be more ambitious.
Your GMAT is very strong, strong GPA, the website is a nice differentiator (did you found them yourself?).
Target schools like LBS and HEC as well. Depending on how quant your Economics minor was, you could give Oxford a try as well although it's a harder sell. Given you are graduating soon and are still quite young, I would try to line up a few internships for the next year and target starting your MSc next year. Regarding your question whether it's right for you - from my own MSc class, most North Americans ended up staying in London, but with some people from the US still landing solid interviews. If you are not totally opposed to staying in Europe I would definitely go for it.
I am not exactly so concerned as to applying to some of these programs, but just as to how I'd like to stay in Europe. Like you say I'm not opposed to a stint, but coming home at some point would be the goal. And yes founded myself, digital markets essentially for video games, huge talking point thankfully. Not sure you have an opinion, but would you consider graduating earlier, and looking towards some graduate intern programs (also a toughsell the prairies are quite disconnected from Toronto), or hope to land a co-op and graduate later?
I am not very familiar with the Canadian programmes, so would go with whatever lets you get a brand name (i.e. something they will know in the UK as well) and is finance related on your CV.
Most banks have rotational programmes after 2 years, so it shouldn't be a problem going back eventually. And if you come prepared shouldn't be difficult to go back home straight after your master's (just requires more networking on your part as the careers center won't be as helpful for that + it was somewhat a problem for US students that the US IB processes are ridiculously early).
very strong gmat you definitely have a shot at any top business school in Europe !
LBS MFA doesn’t require lot of experience you should apply
You have a strong profile. I’d target the top UK schools if I were you, you have a solid shot at LBS and the LSE
You have very strong stats and you're Canadian, the UK is your perfect place to go! LBS, LSE, Imperial, Oxbridge should be all on your hit list. If I were you, I wouldn't focus too much on the continent but rather just the UK as Brits love Canadians.
And we love the UK, just any concern I voice is the strength of such a profile when returning to Canada. As well as even attending such a program receiving a summer/graduating offer with no finance experience.
Given that you eventually want to head back to Canada, I would consider UK programs instead of Continental ones; they will be much better known. I would look into other Specialized Masters' programs as well given your background.
Am I wrong to be more interested in continental programs due to many of them being 2year - ie a better chance at landing a summer internship? I understand its a bit of a tradeoff, and I think personally Bocconi would be the highest prioritized Continental program, with other UK programs being more important than the rest.
The tricky part of Continental programs is that they tend to prioritize native students (or students that are fluent in the local language) during recruiting. They also tend to have less name recognition on this side of the pond. So if you want to stay over in Italy and learn Italian (or already speak it), its a fantastic choice. However, you said that you want to come back to Canada, it will be a lesser known name than somewhere like Oxford, Cambridge or LBS.
Hey mate, you have a really good profile and can get into most of the top programs!! Be confident and make sure your application essays are on point.
i got into one of the top masters( LBS,Oxford,LSE) for August’s intake so feel free to reach out if you need any help
UofT's Master of Financial Economics has great placement is Canada, mind sharing your thoughts on it as Im a current canadian UG also planning to apply.
As you probably know already, Canada and the Canadian Financial industry can be insular looking. So while Bocconi, ESSEC, WU Vienna are fantastic schools and great options, I would caution you in that if you want to come back to Canada it might not be as easy to make the transition - especially if you're trying to move back to the Prairies. LSE and Oxbridge are probably exceptions here. Not to say it can't be done, but might just be harder than you think
If I were in your shoes, I'd give the MFE program at UofT a shot. In my opinion it is easily one of the strongest programs on the street for FO placement (Behind UBC's PMF program, Queen's QMSF both undergrad programs)
'Graduated' as a 5th year in Spring 2022 - took 3 classes between this post (Jan21) and now. I've bowed out of continental programs in 2022 for the reason you've said, completely agree.
I plan to make a push on UK schools, slightly concerned MFE is too quant for me - but some people I know with 0 office experience in undergrad also have IB SA with the MFE so there is that.
I take it you go to/went to Rotman?
What did you end up doing? Would love to hear more
Found the Shaw kid
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