IB job - MIT MSF vs Duke MMS

Good evening everyone,

I've been on the forum for a while and have seen similar questions, but I will appreciate any insights from current or ex bankers on this issue.

I'm currently a senior at a non-target liberal arts college, and an international student. Did a great PE fof internship last summer and learned tons; however, I haven't got any luck in the recruiting process so far. So I applied to few one year master's program at top schools, hoping to rebrand and retry if i don't get hired until July. I've been admitted to Duke MMS and the Master of Finance at MIT.

But i have to make a decision now as the reply date for Duke MMS is tomorrow.

I want to ask your opinions - which program is better to get recruited to BBs or any decent MM or boutique IB, Duke MMS or MIT MSF? (neglecting the costs factor, and considering both networking and OCR opportunities..I have been networking along the way, and i understand the importance of networking.)

Thank you very much in advance, and I appreciate your time reading and responding to my question.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd assume that after either, you'd be overqualified for an analyst position and underqualified as an associate. Everyone I've seen that broke in after rejection either said to hell with being rejected and kept pushing for interviews without getting annoying, or took their best job offer for a few years until getting an MBA and then rebranded for an associate spot. Am I right here? Also, MIT carries more weight than Duke from what I've seen.

Note: Not current or former banker, but I'm curious as well.

 
Romneybot:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd assume that after either, you'd be overqualified for an analyst position and underqualified as an associate. Everyone I've seen that broke in after rejection either said to hell with being rejected and kept pushing for interviews without getting annoying, or took their best job offer for a few years until getting an MBA and then rebranded for an associate spot. Am I right here? Also, MIT carries more weight than Duke from what I've seen.

Note: Not current or former banker, but I'm curious as well.

This would be true for a FT MBA program, but he is applying to one year masters programs. I'm sure ANT could provide some input.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 
Best Response
duffmt6:
Romneybot:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd assume that after either, you'd be overqualified for an analyst position and underqualified as an associate. Everyone I've seen that broke in after rejection either said to hell with being rejected and kept pushing for interviews without getting annoying, or took their best job offer for a few years until getting an MBA and then rebranded for an associate spot. Am I right here? Also, MIT carries more weight than Duke from what I've seen.

Note: Not current or former banker, but I'm curious as well.

This would be true for a FT MBA program, but he is applying to one year masters programs. I'm sure ANT could provide some input.

Yeah, that's why I was uncertain about it. Don't hear much about people with one year masters. Sounds like a decent back-up plan to get another year at recruiting so long as you have an explanation for why you didn't get an offer before if it gets brought up. Thanks guys. I'll keep an eye on the thread.

 

You must have some amazing stats to get into the MIT MSF program with no FT experience. Regardless, take the offer and run with it. It seems to me that as amazing as the Duke MMS is (I myself am going there this fall), it doesn't compare to MIT's MSF in terms of recruitment. From what I can discern, the program admits students based on his or her employability in addition to GMAT, GPA, work experience. And obviously, they thought you're worth investing their time and resources.

I haven't had a carb since 2004.
 

The stats for the MSF at Sloan just kick the living crap out of the Duke MMS stats...

"When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is." - Oscar Wilde "Seriously, psychology is for those with two x chromosomes." - RagnarDanneskjold
 

There is no comparison. MIT MSF>>>>>>>>>Duke MMS.

The most important part is possibly the higher barrier to entry. This ensures that your peers at MIT will be exponentially better than those at Duke. MIT/Princeton are very number oriented Schools. If you don't get in the high 700s in your GMAT (or it's equivalent score in the GRE), you won't be getting in. OTOT, I've seen people waltz into Duke MMS with 650 GMATs.

If Duke gives you some $$$, it becomes less of an obvious choice. But if money is not an issue, you would be a fool to pick Duke when you have an MIT acceptance letter in hand.

Just to play devil's advocate, Duke is a fine institution, and you would still have access to IBD jobs if you work for it. My point is simply that while Duke is great, MIT is better.

Calling Ron Paul an isolationist is like calling your neighbor a hermit because he doesn't come over to your property and break your windows.
 

Thank you, Romneybot, BigBucks, duffmt6, DunderMifflinCEO, OhYeah, happypantsmcgee, UncleMilty, Relinquis, and Leonidas! Thank you so much for your insights. I think I will turn down the offer from Duke.

TheKid1 i will pm you.

 

i thought a lot of the people in those programs go for quant positions. for banking, can't go wrong with either choice, but just make sure you brush up your interview skills. maybe something went wrong with the way you presented yourself during OCR when you were a junior/senior

 

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