MSF Program Advice

Profile: Double major in Finance and Real Estate at FSU. Should graduate magna cum laude (3.7)
GMAT: Haven't taken but pretty confident if i put in the time I can do well. I have a good track record with standardized tests.
One internship between my sophomore/junior year at a decently well known name in the Finance industry at a brokerage/private wealth management office. Didn't intern this summer because I struck out in recruiting but had interviews with some BB and well respect IB's and all seemed to think I interviewed fairly well. I think school really held me back on that front.
I just want some advice on what type of programs I should look at. Have been thinking about Vanderbilt, UTA, and Villanova. Id like to hear what you think my chances are at that type of place and any suggestions on other programs that are highly regarded would be much appreciated.
Also wouldn't be terribly opposed to maybe going to London/Europe would I have a shot at any good programs there?

9 Comments
 

Hi, I am in a similar situation as you and am considering going down the same path. I too graduated from a non target state university and now work in non big 4 accounting firm consulting.

I think that an MSF and/or CFA would give people like us another chance at recruiting and would allow for us to be completely re-branded as finance people. I would consider MIT as your top choice, along with Carnegie Mellon (if you have the quant background required by the program). If you put in the time required, you should be able to score well on the GMAT (hopefully 700+). Best of luck!

 

Best of luck to you as well! MIT looks like a stretch based off the amount of internationals they accept and how heavy they are on quant focus but I will absolutely apply there. I am thinking my top 3 in no order are Vandy, UTA, and Nova. I would not hate going to Europe and would like to know if anyone thought I'd have a shot at any programs there or could recommend any other good programs I should be looking into!

 

I think MIT would be tough unless you crush the GMAT. Assuming you get around a 650-680 I think you'd be competitive at most of the usual suspects.

 

Hey @"TNA"

I'd love to get some guidance on my chances at some Msf programs as well. I'm a new user so I can't PM you directly, but I'd love to shoot you my stats and info if you'd give your input.

 

@"BananaHoarder" Time to start hoarding some bananas so that you can shoot some PMs.

@"THBanker" - looks like you've put together a solid list.

Your range of MSF options will obviously change with your gmat score. I'd go to TNA's "tiers" and think of it as: Your profile with 730+ = strong contender for tier 1 (including LSE), 690-730 strong contender tier 1a, 650-690 tier 2, etc.

Given that you've mentioned you have a strong testing background, at the moment I'd say that all options are on the table. Remember though, these are just proxies, and MSF adcoms are also looking at the unique ways you can round out their class.

Good luck with the process. Current WUSTL MSF here, feel free to PM with any specific questions.

 

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