MSF (Master of Finance) Programs

Hey guys,

I go to the University of Miami. Im trying to decide if i should try to get into UM's MSF program, which doesn't require me to take the GMAT or have any recommendations as I am already a student of the undergraduate business school OR if i should go back home, study and take my GMAT and then apply to higher ranking MSF programs at the next round of admissions.

Current situation: Been trying to get a job in 1)IB 2)PE 3)VC but have not found anything promising. Hoping this program will set me apart when I apply for IB next time.

17 Comments
 

Couple of things:

1, What is your GPA and do you have any relevant banking internship experience?

  1. What would be your plan between graduation and the following cycle if you did not get a position? (FYI, I think the probability of getting anything in IB or PE is not too likely as it's already March)

  2. Have you done any prep or anything for the GMAT? I know some programs also accept the GRE (which I've heard is a little easier) if you have a good resume otherwise.

 
  1. GPA is a 3.55/4. Back-end experience from a well known investment services firm.

  2. Plan is I join this MSF program here at Miami or I go back home and study for the GMAT and take it and then apply to other MSF programs ( i really don't know how long the study/taking test process will be so I'm assuming I would only be able to apply for Spring 2019 MSF if thats even allowed.

  3. Zero prep. Plan is to start studying after graduation.

@TrynaTrade Since I'm a student, I don't have to take the GMAT and will most likely just be accepted for Fall 2018. If I choose not to do the program or I simply don't get in, ill have to take the GMAT and apply after that to other programs.

 

Kind of piggy backing off of @antivirus...if you majored in finance in undergrad at Miami, there will be almost zero value added, other than extending your timeline to network or gain valuable experience this summer. Definitely in a tough predicament...with the GPA, you'll need a pretty strong GMAT to get into a program that will really add value to you, so if you were to do an MSF, go work for a year, study for the GMAT, kill the GMAT, and apply to Vandy, Texas, etc. Hopefully you can get a 700+ on the GMAT. Just my two cents...probably actually worth a penny.

 

If your goal is IB, etc, the UMiami program isn’t going to help. You’re already an UG there and if you aren’t breaking in from there, the masters won’t help.

Where are you from, what geography do you want to work in and what are your stats. You might be able to get into a much better program that will increase your Job odds.

 

@TNA" From Florida, want to work in New York. I have a GPA is a 3.55/4 and back-end experience from a well known investment services firm.

If i were to apply to another program i would have to study and take the gmat after graduation and i don't know how long that process will take so I'm assuming i will be applying for the better MSF programs a year later (unless theres spring admission)

 
Best Response

Why don't you get a job in some other field and then go to MBA that's a target for IB, like say Stern? Thing is MBAs like Stern & Cornell (not mentioning Columbia because it's a reach) have established and structured IB pipelines. Both are heavily recruited by BBs and EBs and have great IB immersions with almost everyone getting SA offers and even SA to FT convert rate is >70%.

MSFs, except MIT and Vanderbilt, are very unorganized and career services don't help at all. I've seen people ending up with shitty corpfin and audit jobs that they could have easily gotten out of their undergrad.

And I've seen plenty of students getting into even Columbia with your profile. Just get a job, work for like 4-5 years and then apply to MBAs. The transition to IB is easier at MBA level, trust me. My close friend who worked in pharmaceuticals (think GSK, Pfizer, AstraZeneca) received 3 SA offers last year and converted all of them into FT.

Unless you think you can get into at least Vanderbilt (don't even consider WUSTL, USC and others) by totally crushing the GMAT, just don't attend MSF. It's not worth the debt.

Hope this helps.

 

Are you f**king blind? You trolling chimps disgust me. I said FIND A JOB and WORK for like 3-5 years and then apply to these IB focused MBA programs. Much better than dropping 50-60k on another degree.

Yes, specialized master's degree is helpful but only if you do it from a target (MIT, HEC, LSE) and semi target (Vanderbilt, Imperial). Going to a school like OSU or USC would be a waste. USC even has kids going to Audit just because they couldn't get jobs in finance.

MBA admissions are usually more lenient (Top 20) and these programs are more established and organized. Lastly, getting IB Associate from Stern/Cornell is easy unless you're a slacker or a hermit.

So yes, wait for the MBA. Stop thinking about another degree and hustle hard.

 

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