MSF application chances
Hello, I'm hoping for some feedback regarding my admission chances/ advice for picking which school to attend for an MSF program. I'm applying to Vanderbilt, Johns Hopkins, Villanova, Temple, Tulane, Santa Clara, and possibly LSE if i can boost my GMAT higher.
I have a Bachelors in Hospitality Management with a 3.3 GPA.
I am currently enrolled in a non target M.B.A with a finance concentration with a 4.0 gpa halfway through the program.
I scored a 690 on GMAT 46Q 39V.
1 Internship at Private Client Division of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
Extensive leadership/ extra curricular actives (Founding VP of a Fraternity, IFC President, Treasurer National Honor Society, Youth Mentor, over 500hrs community service ect.)
What are my chances at these schools? And are there any other schools I should be applying too?
I hope to getting into IB or S&T.
Thanks!
I recommend you start looking for work, work a few years before paying tuition again. it's not something that a Higher GMAT will change my suggestion.
doing MBA is costly on money and future trajectory. Few will be able to get another reputable second MBA. the fact that it counts GPA means you've been honest about nontarget - elite MBAs typically use pass/fails. and you will be unable to justify WHY you want to take MSF classes again when you SHOULD have done those with the MBA.
Extracurriculars are nice (especially the eye-popping 500 hours of service). But the impact of such would be also a huge factor.
just prep up that resume and take some salary. change of mindset also gives you more backup options.
Thanks for the feedback. I have to disagree on your point that I will need to justify taking the same classes over again for the MSF program due to the fact that I have taken them already during my M.B.A. While I have taken some finance classes during my M.B.A, they are not comparable to the specified courses offered in MSF programs specifically in regards to the various tracks you have the option to choose from within my target schools.
If I don't get accepted into one of my desired schools, I will likely heed your advice and continue working. Just an aside I am obtaining my M.B.A for less then 15k due to scholarships so the financial impact isn't too intense.
glad to hear that you didn't bleed too much on MBA. I'd reiterate that MSF approximately equals to MBA minus first-year general curriculum. in fact why MSFs around 10-25th ranked schools are popular because typical candidates don't have enough to do MBA in those places yet, but MSF can give them the similar quality of instruction, course specialization and networks.
regardless of your correctness, you shouldn't expect schools to teach you all the stuff. lots of classes are in real-life. you may have 3-5 classes that MBA may not specialize enough for you, but it is NOT a good excuse to continue doing school. Are you going to do a Master of Financial Engineering if MSF don't specialize you enough?
To be utterly honest, if I was you, I would give up MBA (if less than half in) or wrap up MBA asap (more than half in) and find meaningful work as soon as possible.
I'm gonna agree with the other two posters above. There's gonna be a LOT of overlap with the MSF and MBA. Okay, you CAN decide that an MSF is right for you for whatever reason later on, if it fits into your goals and career development etc. etc. but it makes little sense to do the degrees back to back. I also think that it's time for you to brave the job market and make things happen with work. The appeal of "solving" everything magically by going to a great school is great, and it CAN make things easier, but lots of folks who succeed tremendously come from low-ranked programs or well no programs at all. So my first thought it see what you can make of your current degree before you decide to follow up with another one.
Thanks admissionado, appreciate the feedback. I'm pretty set on my current plan and am more concerned with admissions chances vs. advice whether getting an MSF is the right choice. I think the MSF degree is one that will increase in value as time progresses. And given the fact my undergraduate degree is completely unrelated to finance as well as the fact my only job experience other than 1 internship has been in the restaurant industry, and my current school has little to offer M.B.A students for career services, the chances of me breaking into my desired area of finance are slim to none currently. I'm gonna have to start at the bottom somewhere and I'd rather start at the bottom of a top organization if that makes sense. Any comment on admission chances? And thanks again for taking the time to respond to my post.
Stop your MBA and do an MSF. The overlap won't be an issue. Simply say you didn't do a finance UG and needed to get up to speed. Plenty of UG finance majors do an msf and don't have to explain their class overlap. Same with the CFA.
I'd advise you to dial in your application list. Tulane is cool, but it's entirely international applicants now. Vandy is phenomenal. I think you have a good shot there. Same with Nova.
look I know you're from Nova, but I think I should say, let's keep the playing field fair. Would you go to Nova if you could make Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt is just nice but only MIT is phenomenal.
What are you even talking about? I said he would get into Nova, I didn't give any comparative statement.
And Vanderbilt places just as well as MIT and has a very different campus feel and year experience. I'd consider both to be phenomenal. Furthermore, MIT is expected to have top placements because of their established OCR. Vanderbilt manages to go above and beyond their OCR which is more impressive.
Thanks for the comment TNA, I will graduate this May if I finish my M.B.A and it will only cost me roughly 7k more to finish the degree. I was planning on starting an MSF program in fall of 16', so stopping my M.B.A won't allow me to begin a program sooner as most programs have only a fall or summer start. What's your rationale in cutting the M.B.A short?
It's sad with your "I can't take disagreement" syndrome.
you're in a tough spot already, generic MBA program without a job. so don't make things worse for yourself. I say MSF and MBA are equivalent landmarks for you now. get one done and get out to work. It's not a JD or MD job requirement.
Once you screw up the "why MSF after MBA" question, your MSF chance is zero because they don't want unemployed graduates to mess up their employment statistics.
..........
It's also true that people walk out unknowingly flaunt about their "high GPAs" in MBA programs, and it also put a question on their judgment. I know I almost did some stuff like this, but if I did I have to take responsibility for it too.
,............
Accusantium eligendi eos aperiam porro molestiae dolor est. Dolorem fuga id deleniti.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...