MSF Chances

Hey WSO
 

Current senior at a non-target in the south, I am looking to attend a top MSF program next year (Fall 2022) to help break into NY IB/PE.

GPA: 3.61, Finance and Spanish double major, Econ minor

Experience: Started own company (>$150K revenue), Accepted MM SA IB offer for Summer 2022, Current intern at local boutique IB until end of the year, and a Corp Fin internship at PE held SaaS company this past summer. Also am very involved w/ Greek Life on my campus (Exec Board of fraternity, Campus-wide IFC Board member), as well as our investment group.

GMAT: Taken once, got 700, realistically the highest I think I'll get on retries is 740-750. Plan on taking GMAT one more time.

Rec. letters: My supervisor last summer (Corp Fin) wrote me an amazing letter, he loved me.

I either could get an associate at my current internship or one of my finance professors to write my second letter. (Thoughts on this?)

The schools I'm looking at are:

Top 5: Vandy, UT Austin, WashU, MIT, USC

then Boston College, Villanova, and UVA's MSc.

I realize that I already have a SA offer and could just accept that, but I'd rather use the MSF to "move up" or even break into PE out of the master's program as a few people I've spoken to from Vandy have done that although I'd imagine it's rarer than going into IB.

I'm looking for honest opinions on what you all think my chances are to get into a top MSF like one of these schools, any feedback is helpful. I'm not sure if my experience may outweigh my lower GMAT score. Thanks in advance!

 

Vandy should be a wrap and ideally where you want to go. With your stats, you won't ruin the class profile (this is simply a checkmark). You'll probably apply and get in within a month. Vandy's reputation relies on placement and since you already have relevant finance experience and a SA gig lined up, they will have full confidence in you getting a job post-graduation and might even throw in some scholarship money. The program is only 10 months and they will work one-on-one with you to get you a better FT offer if you decide to go that route.

 

Some other notes, MIT doesn’t have a true MSF. It’s more focused on the quantitative side of finance and, in my opinion, complete overkill in your situation. USC is okay with overall higher GMAT requirements and shittier placement. Vandy should be your top choice if you get in, and I think you will based on the info provided

 

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