MSF and Future Career Advice
I have been accepted into Vanderbilt's MSF and am now confused about how to proceed. I want to apply to MIT's MSF program as I know that holds more value overall being MIT, but my questions are:
- What other programs should I consider? My biggest setback is that I am working full-time and studying for the GRE has been a pain, so I am working on sitting the exam sometime.
- I want to break into IB but have no banking experience. I have 2 years of full-time experience working as a Financial Analyst at a hospital and finance internships, but no real banking experience. Furthermore, I know this will make my journey a bit harder, but I want to go to the school which will give me the best opportunity to break into IB (preferably NYC at a BB, but that's me being idealistic)
Thanks in advance for your help!
For US Master Finance programs you have been accepted in one of the best to open up doors. If you want to look at other programs you may want to consider Univ of Texas Austin or Villanova, but I think only MIT would give you a leg up over Vanderbilt unless you want to go into an area specifically that those schools focus on like the energy sector or something like that.
Since, you've already landed what would be considered one of the better ones you may want to start focusing on networking the Vandy alumni network regionally and NYC. You will probably have a better shot regionally. Make your list of banks, Vandy alums who work there, research the people, see who is hiring given the economic climate knowing your recruiting will probably start next summer, etc.. If you like what you see then stop thinking about MIT. If not...
MIT student's are mostly from outside the US (93%) and roughly 50% go back to Asia after graduation, where as Vandy only has 25% from outside the US. The base salary from MIT is about 15k higher than Vanderbilt based upon the stats I've been able to find - https://mitsloan.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2022-03/MFin%20Employment%… but it doesn't break that down by location. MITs program is 18 monthly unless you are able to accelerate it, also means it will be more expensive.
Depending on your background, capabilities, skill at networking, etc... you've got a decision to make. MIT "I think" would be more quantitative so I don't know if that will be good for you or not, but regardless you've got one of the better options already.
Hi, Thanks for your response!
So I guess my real dilemma is whether I should bother applying to more schools and spend time studying for the GRE or use that time to network. What in your opinion would better use of my time? MIT has waived the GRE so I am still planning to apply but are there any programs I should DEFINITELY apply for.
Also yeah my plan between now and the start of the program is to network intensively. Is LinkedIn the best way to go about this?
I would avoid Villanova’s program if you already got into Vandy. It’s not even comparable and Villanova’s program is a mess. Definitely more opportunities at Vandy. Speaking from experience.
Thanks for the recommendation! Will keep that in mind, but for clarity, could you expand on what makes the program a mess? Want to avoid that situation.
Lol. Villanova isn't even in the same tier as MIT, Vandy, or UT. How much do you get paid to post? Shill.
As I noted Vandy is one of the top to open up the same doors as other programs. So since your in I'd start looking at the Vandy network and if it matches where you want to go and your good with what you see then your done, except for MIT.
For networking Linkedin is the best place to start. Start making the lists by company now, but don't start too early as summer 23 is pretty much set, unless you see a company is still recruiting for summer 23.
Great advice! I want to start networking as an introduction and learning more about job responsibilities and how that changes within different sectors of IB and companies. I just fear that most people either have post experience in IB, and hence that is going to be my limiting factor. Also, since there is a while till the start of the program, is there anything I do in the meantime (review or certifications) that will benefit me later down the road.
I'd probably start by searching this site for information regarding how to prepare - Here is one post (of I'm guessing many with this info) when I searched for key words: Investment banking CFA
https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/qa-on-investme…;
Based upon what you find take a look at the WSO courses and see what they have to fill the gaps.
https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/courses/financial-modeling-prep/elite-m…
Curious as to how much scholarship you got ? Kind of in the same boat. Want to apply to MIT after just getting acceptance from Vandy with measly scholarship of 10k. 3.99 GPA from a non-target, 4 internships in Ugrad, started working in IB upon graduating this past May, international student from a third world country, no GMAT, CFA L1 passed, have to go back to school for visa reasons.
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