Choose MSF programs based on long-term career goals
Hi guys,
I am an international student in the final year of university, and I want to apply for MSF programs in the US. I passed CFA Level 1 this June, had a 3.5+GPA, and I’m now preparing for GMAT, which I aim for a 750+. I had three internships, and one of them is Assistant Portfolio Manager in a big insurance company.
My long-term career goal is to be a Portfolio Manager, which requires working experiences, so I think MSF program will help me to achieve my goal. I am now considering the top programs, such as Vanderbilt, MIT, UT Austin, Villanova, Washington University – St. Louis, Boston College, Brandeis MAIEF, and Duke MMS. What programs are strong, in terms of reputation, resources, alumni network, etc. in the field of investment management? And am I possible to be admitted? Thanks!
you can always have a good chance for all except MIT sloan. however, if you really aim long-term then MBA is a better goal. except MBA is harder to make it in. job on internationals will always be real tough. Visa is hard.
Thanks! Could you please explain why "except MIT"? In terms of enrollment, it is more difficult to apply for Vandy for international student.
You should have a pretty decent shot at MIT(assuming you get a score of 750+ to make up for gpa). MIT average gpa is 3.8. Not saying your GPA is bad, people with low gpas get accepted too, you just need 750+ to be on the safe side. It's difficult for an internationals to get a job in the US only if they're socially awkward or not very sociable and don't network or don't know the language (I'm talking about being able to speak fluently). Other than that, it's not so difficult if you're flexible during your job hunt, ie you're not like one of those GS or bust people. In fact, it's so easy for the internationals at vandy to get recruited in the US, I've spoken to students and the director. Half of them get internships/ft offers well before the graduation. @TNA" can verify this. But then again, it depends on what you put into it. I'm applying to UT and Vandy and CMC. I dropped WUSTL because it's a comparable to Vandy but I think their placements aren't that strong anymore and I personally don't like St Louis (and Chicago, which is what you'll be targeting during your job search upon graduation)
Thanks for your information:)
easy jobs for internationals is just plain bull. there're plenty of schools out there and it doesn't mean recruiting gets much easier. Typical high GPA candidates that passes the high-score filters often know nothing about proper networking and that can't be blamed on schools after all. Asian applicants are almost everywhere, and anywhere that has sponsorships will have a billion applicants waiting.
Second the comment about easy jobs for internationals. Currently an MSF student at one of the schools listed and the job pool for international students is easily less than half of those available for domestic students.
Depends on which school you go to. For instance, Vandy and CMC(and I mentioned them) international grads have fewer problems, compared to Boston College, osu, and uiuc. They don't accept a lot of internationals and they're well established compared to others and therfore its relatively easier for them to place internationals. I talked to the ambassador and director, it's not bull. WUSTL last year placed all of corporate finance internationals last yearbecause of that reason, it's traditional and established, their quantitative track has to compete with a lot of better top MFEs and they accept a lot of internationals so they have a hard time place them all(60-80% every year, and almost all of the internationals go back to their home countries). And let's be honest, it doesn't matter what you major in at MIT, you're gonna be exposed to a lot of opportunities, so that's why I didn't mention MIT. Lastly, it all depends on the you, if you get good grades, network well, have skills, you're get whatever you want.
I think you're getting it wrong. International grads have the same problems which ever school they go to. Vandy and CMC international grads seem to have fewer problems because the adcoms select people who they think have a really good shot at actually landing a job in the US. If you take that student and put them in other schools they will probably get a job regardless.
Not true. There are lots of inexperienced internationals who get into top schools. The main thing is exposure. You're not exposed to the same opportunities at a lower ranked/new school or program. It does depend on the candidate's profile but not that much. Your undergrad doesn't matter when recruiting is done. Your experience and your current achievements do. There are people who are rejected by a top program, accepted to a lower one, but still they survive the recruiting phase.
You're not getting my point. I didn't say anything about experience of the international students, I said that the people who get into the top programs could get a job in the US even if they didn't go to the top schools. The same problems exist for these candidates as other international students but they have the work ethic and fit to overcome them.
Saying stuff like "it depends on the candidate's profile but not that much" just shows you don't actually know what you're talking about. It's ALL about the candidate's profile
look, you're kidding me. I got many friends carrying F-1visas, and do you know how much hell they're in? california, st louis, michigan, new york.. where else do sponsorships exist?!
types of firms that hire internationals: large established firms or mostly BBs from financials. small mom-and-pop shops shy away because they don't know how to do them. BBs get a billion apps from internationals - they technically can sponsor every one of them, but doesn't mean everyone gets in. Other corp firms - you'll get it here and there. But often it's still useless, and might as well marry to solve the problem.
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