MSF Location or Brand Name

I'm an international student going to MSF with STEM,
my priority in the first three years is to find a company willing to sponsor me, doesn't matter boutique, BB (OK with non-IB groups at bank cus I understand the limited options for foreigners)

would you suggest

Fordham in the NYC, better location to network as hell, or 
WUSTL, better brand name on CV and focus on network with alumni

put simply, location or brand name ?

4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

If you’re location agnostic, I would recommend WashU, as their MSF program has had a reputation as a top program for many years now, plus a strong overall university reputation. If you put in the effort, you should be able to place into the industry from there. Location will be variable though. Less certain on Fordham, but the feeling I get from it is that there is likely a lower floor in outcomes (higher number of students striking out), but most placements are going to be in NYC. So if it’s NYC or bust, Fordham could work, but WashU is a safer bet in general.

 

Thanks! Are you also in the US, have you been to or hear about St. Louis?
or hav you met any WUSTL guys
Really appreciate it, wish you a beautiful day!

 

No problem. Yes, in the US, work in NYC, and went to WashU for their MSF. I had a great time in St. Louis, in large part because of my classmates. Like any city there are areas to avoid, but the area around campus is really nice (right next to Forest Park and the Delmar Loop). Drawbacks are that it is a decent ways from a tier 1 city, with Chicago being the closest at 4.5hr drive or 1hr flight. OCR was pretty good for us, which helps the distance issue, but a good amount of our class sourced their jobs from networking (critical for most of the IB, PE, HF roles). Definitely helped to tap into the alumni base for that; WashU alumni are very receptive.

 

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