Hello all,
I have a question for all of you fellow Master students who have placed/are looking to place into high finance roles.
Currently waiting on a top-MSF (Villanova), and I have been accepted into lower tier MSF programs (Tulane, Pepperdine, and Houston) also USC MAcc. I did not get my GMAT as high as I high hoped, and this hurt me in admissions. I believe that if I get my GMAT high enough (680-720), I can be competitive at the top-tier programs.
Therefore, should I take one of the lower-ranked MSFs/USC Macc now, or suck it up, get a FP&A role for a year while I re-take the GMAT and re-apply to the top programs? Also hoping USC will roll out their MSF (LA native)
I have a hard offer from the defense firm where I work for a cost/finance analyst gig full-time as soon as I graduate in June. Soft offer for accounting associate at firm where I had interned in the summer. Interviewing at a big restaurant firm next week for a fin analyst position, fairly confident of getting an offer.
Career goals:
First analyst gig (2-4 years)
Reach : Investment Banking Division (preferably DCM/ECM)
Fit : Corporate/Commercial Banking
MBA at Top 15 (Yale / USC / UCLA / UT / UVA )
Corporate Development / Consulting
Thanks in advance fellas.
I'd say give it another try in a year (unless you get into Nova). You're still young, no need to rush into a lower tier program. You would probably regret it later on.
Mind sharing your stats? I'm hoping to get into the USC Macc program next year.
You are most likely going to get into Nova. If you have the job secured you might want to consider that as it will be good experience and pay. The issues are the following"
1) USC's may or may not roll out their program next year. They yanked it this year and indications I received from the school was that it is under consideration.
2) If you start working why would you do an MSF in a year? Just stay at your job and aim for an top MBA.
Frankly, don't do an MSF. You aren't committed to it and you shouldn't do something unless you are absolutely sure about it. Take the Defense gig, earn money and do a top MBA in 3-5 years.
The analyst gigs would be so that I do not sit around doing nothing while I re-apply.
I am committed to getting an MSF at a top-tier school. But I do not feel that I have all my ducks in a row at the moment. I wouldn't do myself any good by rushing into a program. I got into the MSF process late, and I would like more time to plan everything out for maximum efficiency. The USC thing would be great, but it is not a requirement. It would be great to stay in the LA area but it is not required. An MSF would also give me something that I did not get at my undergrad (a "commuter" school), a real college experience. The defense gig is secure, but I dread my daily routine. I wouldn't be doing myself any good by staying in that position for a year, but frankly the money is too good to turn down, especially when the alternative is $0.
I will get an MSF, trust me when I say this. That is a fact. But I do not want to rush into it. I will not. I am tired of only landing "mediocre" offers when I know I can do a lot better if only I had that brand. For example, my latest interview was secured through networking with an alumnus of my mediocre school that managed to break into upper-level corp fin, not through the school. It is frustrating.
I am committed to the MSF. But I will not half-ass it by rushing into it, especially a lower-tier program.
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