NYU MSA OR Georgetown MSF?
Unfortunately I got waitlisted at Vanderbilt and likely won't get out but I did get accepted to NYU MS in Accounting and Georgetown MSF.
My biggest gripe with Georgetown is that it's online that's the only reason I'm contemplating an MSA over an MSF here and the fact that Stern is.... Stern at the end of the day.
Ultimate goal is IB one day if not right out of this masters. But I'm also looking at consulting and transaction advisory as well.
Would highly appreciated any thoughts/feedback!
Ehh. neither are that compelling to me. What does an MS in Accounting do for you if you're not a CPA? Online degrees are not great experiences in my opinion. I'd go for an MBA, try finding some Part-Time MBA programs too if you're able to do that, they're usually easier to get accepted to and you don't need to sacrifice your income.
Some info that I left out:
I'm graduating from undergrad (Accounting major) this year and I would be starting my Masters next year. (So no experience or income yet)
Long story short, I go to a super non target (even big 4 barely recruit there) and the reason for doing a masters is to expand my recruiting opportunities.
Think about it this way, even if I wanted to go to public accounting, I'd need a masters for my CPA credits so one way or another need to do something lol!
Hmm. If you're going to graduate with absolutely nothing lined up, then I'd go to Stern. I did my MBA at Stern and really enjoyed it. Expand your horizons though. IB isn't the end all be all. Consider the amount of loans you'll need for a master's degree. You can start your career in one industry and lateral in. I worked for an energy company before joining a bank's energy coverage group. You have lots of options.
There's cheaper ways to get your CPA credits than doing a masters that doesn't fit your goals/nobody cares about. Plenty of discourse about this on r/accounting.
I agree, neither are great which is why I'm conflicted on what to do. I'm also waiting to hear from Rochester MSF and Villanova MSF. Both of those have different funding opportunities, which could make them free for me or close to it, depending on a couple of things. Although Rochester is mostly international students.
With that said, even just by putting Georgetown on my resume after I got in and sending out some applications so far, I've already got two interviews in Business Valuation and FDD, which I wasn't getting any hits on previously.
I’ve seen a few of your posts, and I want to give you some straightforward advice. No top MBA program is going to accept you without full-time experience, so I’d focus your energy elsewhere for now.
If I were in your shoes, I’d would consider Georgetown’s MSF program. Stern is a great school, but if your goal is investment banking, MSF programs might offer a more direct route.
I have a friend who went through Rochester’s MSF program and broke into IB right after graduation. That said, he was exceptionally smart, and it’s rare to see people go straight into IB from there. Still, it’s possible.
I know you’re skeptical of Georgetown’s MSF because of its online format, but you should consider the bigger picture.
First, you’ll get plenty of attention from employers, and it seems like you’re already getting noticed.
Second, not everyone in the program is aiming for IB. Some are looking to move up in their current jobs or pivot to consulting/wealth management/trading/equity research, which could ease some of the competition.
Third, if the online aspect bothers you, there are options to take classes in person. Georgetown has a dedicated classroom for MSF students. I think on the third or fourth floor of the business school, so you can still get that in-person experience if you want.
Fourth, no one really cares whether you did the program online or in person, especially at a top school. What matters most is your internship or full-time experience and how well you’re prepared for interviews.
Yes, they accept a lot of people into the program, but not everyone makes it through. The coursework is manageable, but you’ll need to stay on top of things, especially if you’re recruiting for IB at the same time.
Lastly, I know a good number of people from Georgetown’s MSF who got into investment banking, mostly in middle-market and bulge-bracket firms. I haven’t seen anyone crack into elite boutiques yet, but hopefully, that’ll change soon.
I graduated from the program a few years ago, got into IB, and eventually transitioned into a buyside role. So it’s definitely doable.
If you have any questions, lmk.
I really appreciate your posts about GU MSF (I might apply there)—would love to hear even more about it! What was your bg/stats before the program and what made GU better than your other options? How do you make connections when so many ppl are remote/part-time? Are McDonough MBAs or UGs responsive?
And what are career services like? How many students get internships at well known firms (in IB & RE)? Admissions seem to like my profile (see my post) but skirted around talking about placements. (beyond official reports, it's so hard to get a true picture of these niche programs!)
From what I've heard, the career services at GU are laughable. Apparently, all the attention is directed towards undergrads; MSF students are not allowed to attend their career fairs or any other events. Seems like it is a very "on your own" program that just allows you to re-recruit with a better name on the resume, with no help.
Hey Troopstorm , I was wondering if you applied to Georgetown MSF for Round 1 or Early Decision?
I applied during the early decision but got my decision a bit later than expected. I think most people who applied early got their decision in late August.
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