MSF Advice

Hey everyone,

I just graduated with a BBA in Finance from a non-target school, GPA 3.57. I'm planning to pursue an MSF to strengthen my finance foundation and improve my chances of landing better roles in consulting or IB.

Recently, I rushed an application to UT Austin's MSF program after hearing a lot of good feedback about it. However, I later realized it's designed more for non-finance undergrads, which makes me wonder if it’s the best fit for someone with my background.

Would it still be worthwhile to attend UT Austin if I get accepted? Or should I focus on programs that might be better tailored for my background?

For context, I’m also looking at schools like IU and Purdue, as I’m leaning toward public universities as the tuitions are more within my budget. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

2 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, UT Austin's MSF program is highly regarded, especially for its strong placement in Texas and beyond. While it is true that the program is designed to cater to non-finance undergrads, it still offers excellent opportunities for networking, on-campus recruiting (OCR), and placements in finance roles, including consulting and investment banking. Alumni from the program have landed roles at top firms like Citi, Evercore, Goldman Sachs, and McKinsey, which speaks to its reputation and reach.

However, given your finance background, you might want to weigh the program's curriculum and focus against your goals. If you feel confident in your finance foundation and are looking for a program that offers more advanced or specialized coursework, you might consider other MSF programs that align better with your experience. Schools like IU (Kelley) and Purdue (Krannert) are solid options, especially if budget is a concern, as they also have strong reputations and good placement records.

Ultimately, UT Austin could still be a worthwhile choice if you leverage its brand, alumni network, and OCR opportunities effectively. But if you’re looking for a program that complements your finance background more directly, exploring other options like IU, Purdue, or even programs with a stronger focus on advanced finance topics might be a better fit.

Sources: MSF Class of 2018, MSF or MBA for my experience level?, Is Networking Better Than Doing A MSF Program?, Are top MFins target programs for Private Equity firms?, MSF Class of 2019

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Impedit molestias sapiente saepe rerum provident ullam. Error et alias explicabo voluptates maiores. Natus omnis voluptatum ut inventore mollitia. Doloribus est a autem voluptatem unde ratione consequatur. Laboriosam modi occaecati nemo ullam ea omnis eos laboriosam. Vel tenetur non provident.

Beatae in quae iure nostrum reprehenderit ipsum rem. Consequatur quis recusandae necessitatibus eum quia porro fugit sed. Non possimus consectetur molestiae rem quia et quae.

Rem explicabo consequatur tenetur praesentium nihil. Totam est magnam dolorem nesciunt. Neque molestiae error similique voluptas.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”