Hello All, I'm currently awaiting responses from schools I'm applying to transfer to. I've got NYU Stern, Brown(?) and then a couple semi-target schools (Villanova, BC, Fordham, etc) but then for one of my safeties I have Clark University in Worcester, MA. I picked it because they offer 5th year free accelerated ba/ma programs. These include a MSF, and a MBA. Throughout my lurking on WSO it seemed like top 20 MBA>MSF>non-target MBA. So the MBA is probably worthless no matter what. What about an accelerated MSF from Clark? I'm not 100% sure what kind of finance career I want to have, and I know Clark isn't a target either way, but I wanted to know if accelerated masters degrees are looked upon poorly by interviewers/recruiters.
Thanks for your time, Phil
http://www.clarku.edu/programs/masters-finance#13806
http://www.clarku.edu/about-clark/return-on-education/graduate-outcomes
They go onto some pretty cool PhD programs, but in terms of career placement it doesn't seem as though there's going to be too many alums at impressive positions. I see a few avg banks, Fidelity Investments stands out, and some tech companies, but no Bulge Bracket Banks or Boutiques (as far as I can tell, but I am a noob).
The MSF is a degree that you grow into. In the beginning you'll get jobs that UGs get, but as you gain experience experience the degree will become more valuable. You'd want to try and go to the best school brand possible for the degree, but it's a technical degree vs a generalist MBA.
Apples to apples, the MSF will be more respected than the MBA (Clark MSF vs Clark MBA , example) in 3-5 years after you work. The MBA is only about brand. Outside of a T20-25 program I just don't see it being worth the time and money.
If what you say is true about growing into a MSF, then it sounds like your return on investment might be worse than with a top25 MBA. The appeal of Clark's MSF is that it's really a financial safety to me. 5th year free sounds pretty cool.
At the same time, if that Clark MSF doesn't give me the push that I want, will having a masters disqualify me from applying to a top 25 MBA program? In other words, do they only admit students who don't have a masters degree already?
I'll definitely take a look at the program's results though! Good idea.
If you can get into, can afford and want to go into a post MBA career that is lucrative enough, the always do the MBA. If you are looking at FT sub 25 programs, looking to go into something less lucrative, etc, then the one year MSF will work.
Congrats on your decision, and Great point by the way, if you compare salary returns on mediocre MSF to top 25 MBAs. That's not even adjusting for cost of living.
MSFs get forgiven easily because you can still pursue MBA later. MBA still would be more helpful without additional degrees.
@philbegas" Regarding Clark I'm sorry, it's a regional school that you can find dime in a dozen in EVERY REGION. without alum, who cares? many schools these days try sell anything to slow down dying revenue, so it's a self-responsibility not to be stupid with both money and time (which also is money).
MSF's do not get "forgotten". Sorry, but grad school is grad school. MSF's largely cannot compete on brand, but if I went to say Vanderbilt's MSF vs their MBA, it wouldn't matter at all, long term which degree you had.
I've literally never had anyone say "oh, an MSF isn't really grad school" or anything of the such. If anything, having a technical degree has gotten more respect.
I've been admitted into Drexel already with a pretty competitive financial aid package, so I'm not sure Clark is really going to play into it much. Drexel already has a track record of placing people into prestigious co-ops and it's in Philly which > Worcester. I mean I'm waiting for other responses still but I think the opportunities from the co-op at Drexel would outweigh the use of Clark's accelerated MSF.
On a different note, I'm still getting the impression that if/when I go to grad school further down the line, that the reach schools should be MBAs and maybe the rest MSFs
Sure sure, MFE type degrees get the kudos for being STEM. Most MSFs are like fifth year senior in sports, but they don't get respect because they're a graduate degree ok? the degree mills are handing out any degree that makes money, so master's aren't gold anymore. Do you still click through online job applications and proudly check graduate degree proudly?
If somebody did MBA right away at a nobody, it just looks stupid. They look like a punk with no idea, and because it makes second MBA application so much harder. (Indian MBAs more lenient but still not all forgiven)
You have no clue what you are talking about, as always.
Degree mill? Get fucking real. It is a graduate degree that requires graduate level efforts. If your program was a joke, then that is on you and frankly, reflects in the posts you make on this site.
A graduate degree in finance is a technical degree focused on finance. It goes way more in depth on than the vast majority of MBA programs do. No one has ever discounted the degree because it isn't an MBA.
Question. When someone says they did a masters in foreign relations, do you "discount it" because it isn't an MBA? No. Not everyone wants an MBA. A graduate degree is a graduate degree.
Indian MBA programs are discounted because everyone gets an MBA right after school and their quality is suspect.
And when I fill out a job application I put down a masters degree as my education level. Because it is.
Nice post
I am thinking of this as well for entry level PE networking, is this possible?
What do trading firms think of MSF for S&T?
half of them have no idea what this degree is, to be honest. They dont think it sounds like undergrad, and it's not MBA either. real story from employer roadshows. just use your school as a bridge and showcase your personal qualities quickly.
places head gently on desk and sighs
I think at my career point the MS in CS would be a better bet. It'll be interesting applying to PE firms with a tech background in engineering and perhaps, trading.
I'm just going to try to not worry about MSF vs MBA and all that jazz yet. I'm not far enough in my education to know exactly which aspect of finance I want, so an accelerated MSF might just be a 5th year that I spend in school instead of in the work force making money.
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