USC MSF or Wustl MSF

Hi, I just got accepted into USC Marshall's MSF program. I am still waiting for notification from WUSTL(Corp. Finance Track). I am just wondering which school should go for if i get accepted by WUSTL. I am a CFA Lvl II candidate and planing to do AM. I also have offers from Columbia(ERM), UCLA(applied Econ), but I will probably decline them. Thanks!

28 Comments
 
Best Response

Are you looking to work and go to school on the west coast? With UCLA and USC you have two good options. USCs MSF has been around for a couple of years so the kinks should be worked out. The Trojan network is huge as well. I'd personallly rank then a little higher than UCLA for the only reason that their MSF will have recruiting resources whereas the UCLA program is more academic focused.

WUSTL is a great MSF and they've been successful for a while. If you need more guiding in your job search and aren't married to a west coast role, WUSTL would be the safe bet.

 
"TNA"

Are you looking to work and go to school on the west coast? With UCLA and USC you have two good options. USCs MSF has been around for a couple of years so the kinks should be worked out. The Trojan network is huge as well. I'd personallly rank then a little higher than UCLA for the only reason that their MSF will have recruiting resources whereas the UCLA program is more academic focused.

WUSTL is a great MSF and they've been successful for a while. If you need more guiding in your job search and aren't married to a west coast role, WUSTL would be the safe bet.

Guess you need some more sweat. Shit advice.
 

Thanks TNA! The only thing i am worried about UCLA's program is that the degree does not fit my career path at all. The weird thing is that USC is more selective than WUSTL. any idea?

 

I hear you man. USC is fine and their brand is close to UCLA. And yes, USC is more selective than WUSTL. Both are still good programs.

I'd personally lean towards USC, but that is just me. If you're looking for a more established path and procedure, WUSTL might be better for you.

Have you thought of the Q track? Get stem certification as well. Not sure if UCLA is stem , but that might be an important aspect.

 

The campus is both fine and beautiful. As with anything with a wealthy enclave and less wealthy surrounding area, be smart and use common sense. I'd definitely not take USC off of a list because of perceived safety issues.

 

Are you insternational? Where are the jobs you want?

I don't know if that UCLA gig has Anderson School recruiting access or not - it may be a big deal since they're #3 in California. How do they recruit basically?! Nothing against USC but it's not a gold destination by your username. Columbia - something wrong with that degree that you don't plan to take it?

Why do you need a MSF if you're CFA L2 already? Isn't MSF basically just for on campus interviews?

 

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