MSF Worth It for me?

If I'm upper middle class (household income around 150K), attend a a 4 year liberal arts college costing about 45K a year (very high EFC), does it make sense to get an MSF if I'm also interested in an MBA?

I feel guilty about taking out so much debt if the career rewards aren't there....

Would you take a corp finance position like GE FMP over an MS program at Princeton (Msf), MIT (Msf), Vanderbilt (Msf) or Duke (MMs)?

Also what kind of MS program could place me into MBB? I know MSF is mostly for IBD...

 
Best Response
<span class=keyword_link><a href=/company/trilantic-north-america>TNA</a></span>:
This is completely disjointed. Are you working or is that your parents net worth? Have you graduated or are you looking at liberal arts colleges? Do you have the GE offer?

I'm currently a college student (sophomore). No personal income, that's my household income from my parents. I'm making plans in case I don't get IBD, such as taking the summer off from interning, etc and taking classes to save money. I plan on getting an MBA, but I'm paying a lot for college because my EFC is high (unfairly). Probably looking at 50K in debt once I graduate. I don't know whether it would be better for me to take an "okay" corporate finance job or whether I should get an MSF to start my career with an elite boutique or BB investment bank. Masters programs have terrible financial aid, so I'm guessing after it, I would carry 100K of debt heading into my first job.

 

I'm also interested in attending either H/S/W, Booth for business school. I'd take an offer from UVA/Cornell/Michigan with good financial aid. I have pretty good stats academically, and a real interest in business research where I might work on a 100 page senior thesis.

 

I would focus on grades, interning and getting a job. If those look less likely you can consider an MSF. Depending on your profile you could be eligible for fellowships and grants.

Honestly, you are a sophomore. Focus on other things before thinking about B school, etc.

 

Go get work experience first. You can always go back for an MSF instead of an MBA. And yes, GE FMP is better than an MSF for your case b/c you are gaining work experience, earning a solid income, and w/that can parlay your experience into a top MBA program.

Also if you are interested in MBB, MBA is better suited since you will be involved with non-financial issues aspects of your consulting.

 

If you want corp fin, it's very achievable from a Tier 1/2 MSF, the prices vary widely, Villanova is 32 + COL and there is a good chance of getting a fellowship and halving that, Duke is 44 + COL, OSU 50 + COL, if you apply early, are a US citizen and have a strong profile, you will likely see a large discount off the nominal tuition.

 

I did some research about cost of doing MSF. Claremont also gives out very generous financial aid. You pay maybe half as much, 1/3 of other comparable programs' or even nothing for doing the MSF there and still have excellent opportunities.

 

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