Need Advice for MSF Programs
Hello there!
I’m a fourth-year (currently 7th semester) computer science engineering student from South India(Kerala) aspiring to do MSF preferably in US, UK, or Canada. I want to make my way into PE/VC/HF through Consulting or IB. This is something impossible given my current undergrad and its reputation within the country(think tier-3 within the state). I haven't taken the GMAT yet. But I am certain that I can crack it with enough preparation. I am willing to spend some time on it after my final sem exams.
As you can see, I am an international student and if accepted for any of the MSF programs, I am gonna need to make sure that I would be eligible for OPT or a PSW so that I can immigrate later on. I'm also looking for an MSF that isn't quant heavy but STEM-designated(if it is in the US). I know that Vanderbilt MSF is quite good but I don't know if I stand a chance as an international student from a tier-3 university in India. But I am still considering it.
If there are any good MSF programs out there that you are aware of, and as long as it is in an English-speaking country, please feel free to share.
P.S: Hope you are not offended when I said "English-speaking country". The thing is I talked to many Alumni at the top B-Schools in the Non-English-speaking countries and I know that opportunities are limited for students who know the native language. I am from a really low socio-economic background and will be probably shelling out almost $70k for my higher studies. I simply don't want to add a language barrier to that. Hope you understand.
Some details about myself:
Achieved grade:
10th Grade: 100% (Full A+ in all subjects)
12th Grade: 99% (Computer Science major; got 100% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics)
Undergrad(pursuing): CGPA: 9.61/10 (up to the fifth semester)
GMAT: Yet to be taken
Current university: State University in Kerala (tier-3)
Current course: B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering
Other College preferences: Any MSF programs with good ROI. I am aware of MIT, Princeton but they are quanty. Also, I am aware of programs from LBS (MFA), LSE, Oxford, Imperial, UCL in the UK. None in Canada.
Nationality: Indian
Internship experience:
None. Although I’ve done a Campus Ambassador Internship for the International Model United Nations(don’t know if it counts) for about a month. I’ve also done some virtual experience programs on a platform called Forage (formerly InsideSherpa) from Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, KPMG, and Citi.
Achievements:
Awarded with Scholarship for being the topper of the entire CSE department for my Sophomore year in the college.
Awarded with Full Fee Scholarship for excellence in academics by AICTE, New Delhi.
Awarded with Central Sector Scholarship by Govt. of Kerala for excellence in academics.
Won Rashtrapati Scouts & Guides award certified by the Honorable President of India.
Let's cut it straight to the point.
10th and 12th standard grades do not matter anymore. Your 10th helped you get into a good college for 11th, 12th helped you for undergrad. Undergrad scores will help the grad school.
You have a good CGPA in undergrad for someone with comp sci. Prestige of the college blows, but the CGPA will definitely get their attention.
In this case your GMAT matters the most. You need a really good GMAT to help you get in these college.
This is what I would aim for if you want to work in the states: MIT, Vandy, UT Austin. (Don't know much about the STEM designation and I haven't researched on that).
For EU: LSE, LBS (MFA), HEC-Paris, Oxbridge.
If you can get a 9.61 in comp sci - you don't need to worry about the quant side of MSF. Its not that quant focused unless you go for Masters in Financial Engineering or Masters in Financial Economics. In the above list I think only Oxbridge has MFE. All other schools are normal MSF and not that quant focused. Remember as a comp sci major your definition of quant is different than a business majors definition of quant. You will be fine. I think Princeton requires work exp if I am not wrong.
Good luck!
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.
I am seriously planning to spend some time preparing for the GMAT. I can only hope it pans out well.
All the courses you have mentioned in the States, as well as the EU, would definitely give me a stay-back period of at least two years. I am just worried that these prestigious institutions would throw my application into the trash considering I am from a "not-so-popular" university within India. Thanks to COVID-19, my academic terms are pushed into semester breaks. That's why I have no internships experience.
So would it be a stretch for a guy like me to apply for MIT, HEC-Paris, etc? Can I offset this lack of internship experience as well as my undergrad reputation with a good GPA and 700+ GMAT?
Everyone seems to make a big deal about "prestige". May it be about the college they attended or the company they are at. I don't disagree that prestige out of the college/company is looked at - but what you do at that job or how good you are in college makes a bigger difference. Would you choose someone that went to IIT with a 5.0 CGPA or tier 3 with 9.61? IIT student might have worked off to get to that point, but he slacked off in college and hasn't proved himself. Where as a person like you did not get the chance to go to an IIT but you proved yourself at the tier 3 college. It will only slightly impact your profile. I wouldn't worry about it much.
Your GMAT needs to be out of the park to go for MIT. 750+. This is the most competitive program out there. HEC-P/LBS I would guess above 730+. LSE is a bit lenient with GMAT as they are more focused on your CGPA so 720+? Vandy/UT would also be in the 720+ region to get their attention.
I guess it makes sense when you put it like that. I was so bugged by this so-called "prestige issue".
I am planning to make some serious preparation for the GMAT. Like you said aiming for 750+ does makes a lot of sense considering the competitive nature of these programs. I also have so many weird questions in my mind. Is it okay if I DM?
Yes feel free to DM!
Other good options in UK not listed above.
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/business-school/programmes/msc-finance/
https://www.bayes.city.ac.uk/study/masters/courses/finance
https://www.wbs.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/finance/
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught-degrees/finance-msc
Each of these have multiple finance related programs you may have a better chance than straight MSF.
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