How difficult is it to get an analyst position from vanderbilt's msf program? From the "success stories" on their website, there is only 1 IB listed, and that is with a smaller firm. Also from here: http://mba.vanderbilt.edu/vanderbilt/Programs/msfinance/msfinance-career-path/ if its not S&T, it doesn't look like there are too many MM placements either...
Is Vanderbilt even worth it if you want to break into IB?
MSF is good for quantitative S&T and programming/developing roles for trading.... I don't think MSF will help you for Investment Banking. MSF is heavy in mathematics, pricing assets, and programming, skillsets which don't really translate over to IB.
i think you're wrong carolinaheels, there are different levels of quant requirments I believe you're thinking of MFE programs. Anthony, elaborate plz.
MSF typically places into IB, but can also place into trading, risk, insurance, credit, whatever. I know all Villanova placement as well as a handful of placements at a lot of MSF programs and it tends to be at MM firms and some BB's. There is a decent amount of math in a traditional MSF, but not enough to go into a purely quant role IMO ( this is sometimes not true depending on the UG major ).
Vandy places well in the south and at regional mm firms. I believe BoA and Wachovia/Wells recruit from there also.
MFE programs/MSCF/MSQF etc typically place into the more mathematical trading or quant roles. Real heavy math, statistics, programming, etc. I am sure people go into banking from these programs, but you would be obviously a little overqualified. CMU, Princeton, NYU etc all have great programs.
Here is the thing with MSF programs and schools. You really need to view them differently than MBA programs. Not to many elite schools offer MSF degrees. What you do have is a bunch of solid regional schools. So things to look at when comparing MSF schools.
1) UG ranking and if they have an MBA program its ranking also 2) Near an urban area with finance presence 3) Age of program 4) class profile 5) Is the program independent, part of the MBA program, what department is it housed in, etc 6) previous placement
Since most of the people in an MSF program tend to have limited WE they will place as analysts and compete with UG's for jobs. If you have more than a year of WE then you can pretty much interview for MBA positions, but not in IB ( unless you go to Princeton or something where you can be an associate with relevant WE). I have met with and spoken to a lot of recruiters and they were talking to me about MBA level positions ( I have experience in Corp banking though and these were not IB spots, although still lucrative).
A lot of schools have a MSF program that is typically awarded as a joint MBA/MSF. I am not a fan of this since I feel an MSF is a very different degree and needs to be run differently. Taking a bunch of MBA finance classes isn't going to give you an edge at all. Plus, in programs like above, there is no individual emphasis on the program since it is only an after thought to the MBA.
ANT, you said they talked to you about MBA positions while an MSF student. I'm thinking of doing an MSF at Vandy with this in mind after say five years of experience in S&T, with the intention of returning as a trader perhaps on the buysid since I could interview alongside MBA students for jobs. However, when you said that they won't consider you for advanced IB positions, what about advanced S&T jobs? Thanks.
Vanderbilt MSF had terrific IBD placement this past year
Vanderbilt MSF - Worth the money? (Originally Posted: 06/27/2012)
Is a Vanderbilt MSF worth the money for an unemployed econ undergrad? How is their placement for IB/ER/AM in the Northeast/West Coast?
Do a LinkedIn search. Their grads seem to do well. I won't say that they place well on the West Coast. But Northeast seems decent. Not so much as Villanova though. But I would go to Vanderbilt myself anyway.
This is a job for ANT.
If you want west coast look at CMC.
Info above is spot on. Vanderbilt is a well run program with great placements. Here is a link I just posted on my site with a student review.
http://msfhq.com/vanderbilt-university-master-finance-student-review-2/
Vandy places down south real well and also in NYC. I think the program is great and should be top of your list if you are looking at places to attend school.
Vandy is great for those with rich work/internship experience. Plus it is a target school in the industry.
Hollywood, do you have any placement reports or anything showing placements? I'm kinda curious to see Vandy job placement.
I know of some Vandy MSF people in IBD, DCM & ER.
Carolina - you are thinking of MFE. MSF is not overly quantitative.
Buyside, any ideas what banks these Vandy MSF IB, DCM, ER people are working at?
Vandy MSF placed around 7 IBD analysts this year after only about one per year since the program opened.
DB Houston, Harris Williams Boston, BAML NYC, Suntrust, Stephens, Morgan Keegan are all firms that hired Vandy MSFs this past year.
Last year the MSF program placed one into BAML LevFin and one into GS Consumer Retail.
^That's a pretty nice list.
It's a decent list at best. It seems if one can afford it, European grad finance programs are the way to go as there are tons of kids getting in BB through these programs. By European programs I mean the top tier ones such as LSE, Camb, Oxb, SSE, HEC, Bocconi, St. Gallen Imperial, and Warwick (maybe). In comparison, there are very few Msf programs in the US that can match, outside of Princeton of course
--
Hollywood: can you please share where you got your info from? I am currently debating over whether I should take up my offer from Vandy or not.
Aperiam aut odit et in officiis omnis blanditiis. Beatae dolores omnis reprehenderit. Ut aliquid tempora qui illum ullam illo.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...