MSF and MAcc for career-changers?

Hello. First post. I graduated with a BA in humanity last year. I have since been taking a year off to do some service projects and have fun. I initially was intent upon going to law school, until I spent a significant amount of time working for a lawyer and researching the field and discovering it was not for me. Seriously, people here made the right choice from what I can gather. (BTW, the people on this site are a million times nicer and more helpful than those dicks on top-law-schools).

Anyway, I want to change career paths. I had not thought of finance until recently, but since then my passion for it has jumped into hyperspeed. Seriously, I obviously am inexperienced with the field at this point, but from doing lots of research and talking to people I'm falling in love with the idea of a career in finance. But, I have a BA with a fairly non-quantitative background.

Does anybody here have a good list of MSF and MAcc programs for which I meet the pre-requisite requirements? I have one semester each in precalculus, accounting, economics, and statistics. Not a lot, I know. But there are some out there I think I meet the requirements. Georgia State MSF is one (I'm a GA resident), but I'm not sure how its lack of prestige will hurt me down the road. Another is Kenan-Flagler Masters Accounting. Another is Vanderbilt MSF (not sure if I am competitive for this one).

Anybody have any comments or suggestions? At this point I would love to do MSF/MAcc-->Corporate Finance/try to study for the CFA and pass the exams-->MBA-->IBanking/Industry. Lofty goals for a BA, I know. But I'd like to give it the old college try. Thanks for your help!

 

What was your GPA and GMAT/GRE? Look into Masters in Management programs as well. While there are a few MSF programs that you could get into with a BA, you'll set yourself up for success if you studied something more general management. It would also fit your goal roadmap.

 

Thanks for the reply. GPA is 3.2, I made a C in precalc, a B in stats, and an A in both accounting and econ. Would you recommend I take the GRE or the GMAT? And would a Masters in Management really be quantitative enough to begin to make up for my undergrad background?

 
wsouserid:

Thanks for the reply. GPA is 3.2, I made a C in precalc, a B in stats, and an A in both accounting and econ. Would you recommend I take the GRE or the GMAT? And would a Masters in Management really be quantitative enough to begin to make up for my undergrad background?

3.2 is ok. I'd do the GRE as it is more forgiving quant wise. Lot of MiM programs have great brand names so that will be the benefit. Do Training the Street and you'll be fine. Look at Duke, Northwestern, michigan, notre dame.

 

I should also note that I am intent upon staying in the southeast (specifically Atlanta). I don't mind going away for a year to do a master's, and in a few years an MBA, but in between and in the long-run I need to be in Atlanta. I really wish I were competitive for Vandy's MSF, as that would be ideal for my career goals. Anyone know how UVA's MS Commerce program fares at places like SunTrust? Thanks. I also have the option of an MAcc, at either Terry or UNC. Not sure if that fits my path though. MAcc-->Big 4 Transaction Advisory-->IBD/PE? Don't know.

 
Best Response
wsouserid:

I should also note that I am intent upon staying in the southeast (specifically Atlanta). I don't mind going away for a year to do a master's, and in a few years an MBA, but in between and in the long-run I need to be in Atlanta. I really wish I were competitive for Vandy's MSF, as that would be ideal for my career goals. Anyone know how UVA's MS Commerce program fares at places like SunTrust? Thanks. I also have the option of an MAcc, at either Terry or UNC. Not sure if that fits my path though. MAcc-->Big 4 Transaction Advisory-->IBD/PE? Don't know.

If you want to stay in Atlanta why don't you look at Emory or Georgia State? I'm sure tons of alumni in Atl shops. Probably well represented at Sun Trust.

 

You are correct, you should have at an absolute bare minimum 2 years work experience before starting an MBA program (1 when you apply), and the real minimum is more like 3 years experience before starting (2 when you apply).

No concrete information, but the UVA masters should place strongly at lots of places in the southeast with the brand name. Are there any relevant masters programs at UGA?

 
tds2006:

You are correct, you should have at an absolute bare minimum 2 years work experience before starting an MBA program (1 when you apply), and the real minimum is more like 3 years experience before starting (2 when you apply).

No concrete information, but the UVA masters should place strongly at lots of places in the southeast with the brand name. Are there any relevant masters programs at UGA?

Unfortunately there is only the MAcc at UGA. GA State seems to be the only place in Georgia that offers a relevant masters for which I meet the requirements. I'm trying to compile a list of all the MSF programs for which I meet the requirements that place decently in the Southeast, specifically Atlanta. Right now I'm crossing my fingers and going for UVA, as I don't believe I am competitive for Vandy and would like a stronger brand name than Georgia State. Johns Hopkins also has one...I may look into it. Not sure if the JH brand would be stronger than GA State in Atlanta, though. Maybe?
 

Uva is for people who have or will be graduating in a year. I'd email Emma if you're going to be over this requirements as they might give you some flex. Usually they are firm with this.

You could look at Wake Forest or Duke for their MMS. Emory has a one year MBA. If you're firm with working and going to school in ATL then I'd work in some type of relevant role for 2-3 years and do this.

Other than that you have UGA and GSU. GTECH also. I'd do a linkedin search and not worry about "brand". Super regional placements depend less on brands and more on location.

 

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