Which MSF program to accept

Last week I was admitted to Gtown, Nova, American, and Rutgers (which is a master in financial analysis, not MSF). Waiting to hear back from UMD still. I am curious what everyone’s thoughts are on these programs.

I am an accounting major with a full time position lined up at a top 15 accounting firm, as a staff consultant on the financial advisory services team. I am interning with this firm this summer, which is a commitment I would have to abandon to attend Villanova (which may make things awkward in the office).

Anyways, I will be pursuing the CPA upon completion of the MSF I choose, and hope to use my experience & MSF to take my career into the middle market M&A industry.

Looking for some advice on how to approach this decision and which programs will help me accomplish my goals. I thought it would be nice to gather some new input to help me rationalize through this big decision (which I need to make within the next 10 days).

Thanks guys!

9 Comments
 

The 150 is certainly a part of the decision to do an MSF. My undergrad is a non target, and I lack the finance experience. I also think MSF will significantly help me with networking and breaking into the M&A industry, and am uncertain that my work experience alone will be sufficient.

I could do a fifth year, but the tuition would be slightly less expensive than Nova’s tuition, including the scholarship I received. Also gives me a chance to put a target school on my resume, which looks a lot better than my current undergrad.

 

You'd need to find jobs again with msf, and OK, other than Georgetown as borderline target and UMD like a semi target, there are no targets period.

No clue with top 15 means, but it'd be not too hard to elevate into big 4 if you kill on the job.

Overall i'm not so hot on these msf IMO. If you really are to chase 150, try UNC online macc

 
Best Response

I’d pick between Gtown and Nova. Seems like you’re in the DC area. If so, lean Gtown. Look at JHUs masters in Econ as well. It’s in DC, at night and affordable.

Nova is fine, but as you’ve noted, you’ll have to quit your gig. Probably not worth it if you are in the DC area and have a Gtown admit.

Note to all - Gtown is online and in person. Really flexible.

 

My understanding is that there is a weeklong residency requirement at the start of the program in October. The program itself is 21 months long. I am uncertain if there are additional residency requirements.

 
"TNA" I’d pick between Gtown and Nova. Seems like you’re in the DC area. If so, lean Gtown. Look at JHUs masters in Econ as well. It’s in DC, at night and affordable.

Nova is fine, but as you’ve noted, you’ll have to quit your gig. Probably not worth it if you are in the DC area and have a Gtown admit.

Note to all - Gtown is online and in person. Really flexible.

Any of these useful for m&a?

 

Autem ut ex iure autem. Explicabo et sit eveniet id nemo expedita consequatur. Aut libero rem magni et quia.

Nostrum nam sapiente voluptatum nisi rem impedit eum. Dicta a hic eos voluptatem. Officiis doloremque distinctio ipsum numquam quod ut.

Dolorem qui voluptatem distinctio culpa maiores consequuntur. Laboriosam qui quaerat ipsam autem et. Voluptates quam sed atque est. Aut dignissimos et perferendis consequatur sit eaque. Et ratione et fuga eveniet placeat voluptates. Voluptatibus id adipisci ducimus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (23) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (82) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”