MASTERS OF FINANCE: John Hopkins MSF VS USC MSF

I will be applying to (only) USC and John Hopkins masters in finance.

My question is, if I do get into both programs (hopefully i do!), which program do you think would satisfy my interests? What are YOUR opinions on both programs?

Background:
-Graduating with bachelors in finance and non target (3.4-3.5 gpa)
-Have not taken GMAT (aiming for 680+)
-Not sure at all as to what I want to do (hopefully a masters in finance will help me figure it out)
-Only 2 years of experience + internship at wealth management firm
-Would want to reside and work in LA, not sure about east coast yet

If i had a choice now, I would pick Johns Hopkins.

My reasoning is that even tho JH is in east coast, they have a much better "international" reputation as a university vs USC imo. More employers (esp ones that arent from Southern California) would recognize Johns hopkins rather than USC a lot more.... I think? However, USC has a strong network as well, esp in LA. I do not know which program is actually better in regards to education and academics.

Is my reasoning sound? Or am i totally off. Which school should I choose IF i were to get accepted to both?

 

I'd prefer to work in LA, but if I were to find a better opportunity elsewhere, I would most likely take it.

Of course their would be other factors, but just wanted to clarify..

 
ttam:
Why? That was my initial impression... But many have told me that the global reputation of JH is too much to pass on

Because that dude gets paid for steering social media

[quote="M7 MBA, iBanking. Top MSF grad. AntiTNA. Truth is hard to hear! But... "] [/quote] [quote="DickFuld: Yeah....most of these people give terrible advice."] [/quote]
 

Curiously, noone here seems to be concerned by the fact that JHU Carey is nowhere to be found on USNews' Ranking. Too bad for its overall "reputation" right?

(I mean: There are some unknown schools on this ranking. And JH isn't)

Marshall is at a solid #25 spot, which should be reassuring. :)

 

Believe USNews rankings include those schools with aacsb accreditation. JHU just received accreditation this year, so it will take another reporting period or so for it to be integrated into rankings.

 

Forgive my words, but I think anyone interested in the JHU MSF program can't be really serious about pursuing a career in finance. JHU MSF was created to make money from the Chinese students who don't have a clue about program reputation and only want a school brand on their resume. The entire program is made of Chinese students from all sorts of shitty schools in China.

 

At least 2 students of the USC 2016 MSF Class accepted full-time positions at Goldman Sachs. Other employers include JPMorgan.

Investment banking (Job Function): 13% placement.

(Source: 2016 Employment Report).

Not that bad, huh? Considering, for example, top-ranked UVA McIntire M.S. Commerce has a 5% placement in IB (job function).

 
Best Response

Unless you want to live and work in Maryland (to be fair i live here and it's dope) go with USC. With all due respect to JHU, unless you're going there to do an MPH or an advanced engineering degree i wouldn't suggest a master's from there. Just use the search function on this website and type MSF Johns Hopkins and you'll see a pattern. Most of the posters are Chinese/international students (see the grammar/syntax errors) who know the name as a result of the school's ties to the global healthcare scene. I mean i don't think you're lighting your money on fire if you choose to go there, but if your goals are Cali, your grades and GMAT prediction are good but not great and you're not sure what you actually want to do the better choice is USC.

 

I think it's a great option for domestic students. The network is very loyal and responsive, the cost of the program is relatively low comp'd to other MSFs, facility and faculty are strong, curriculum is interesting, and the brand name is still respected.

The placement numbers are skewed by the chinese students - no surprise. However, if you are a domestic student, then this creates an opportunity for you due to the limited competition when networking with alumni. Domestic students tend to do well. Need to look under the hood of the numbers. Lots of alumni working in variety areas of finance - F500, consulting, commercial banking, PE and IB (boutique and MM), corporate development, business development, asset management, etc.

 

Like i said i don't think you're lighting your money on fire or anything, but with the goals stated in the original post, I really don't think that the JHU brand name is going to be more relevant on the west coast than USC. I think even on the east coast it would be a toss-up.

FWIW my brother and a few friends from HS have done their Masters in Engineering at JHU, and the name carries weight with all the big Architecture/Engineering/Construction groups on both coasts. But if you're looking at Post-Grad Schools for Finance in MD I'd even tend to lean toward the Smith School over JHU.

 

right, whenever discussing MSFs, regional-focus is always the first consideration with the exception of a handful of programs. my point is a lot of kids freak out after looking at one or two stats about the program without doing any due diligence.

 

This is a complete no brainer. JHU shouldn't be in the running at all. Anyone who even implies that there might be a legitimate reason to choose JHU is biased. Under no circumstance JHU.

“Elections are a futures market for stolen property”
 

did you read the thread? my first post i said "JHU makes no sense" for OP's situation. My response to dr_mantis is broader context regarding JHU and the general concerns many have about the program.

 
td12:
did you read the thread? my first post i said "JHU makes no sense" for OP's situation. My response to dr_mantis is broader context regarding JHU and the general concerns many have about the program.

Who gives a shit about you? My comment wasn't in direct response to you or to anyone else in this thread. It was a direct response to the OP.

Move along now..

“Elections are a futures market for stolen property”
 

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