Odds of acceptance in MSF program?
Hi guys,
I'm new to the website, but I've been following for a few months now.
I'm about one week away from submitting a slew of Finance applications (just need to finish up the statements of purpose), and I'm just curious what people thought of my chances for acceptance. The cost of applications is obviously a consideration, and I'd be plenty bummed if I ended up getting nowhere.
Info:
I attended New College of Florida, which most people don't know about, but it's the state's honors college and is highly ranked in liberal arts college rankings--hey, William Dudley went there.
Major: Economics
Minor: Applied Mathematics
I served as the teacher's assistant for Linear Algebra, Calculus III, Advanced Microeconomics, and two semesters of Ordinary Differential Equations.
I wrote a research, econometrics-based senior thesis.
I know I am receiving great recommendations from both economics and math/comp sci professors.
GMAT: 760
My concern is that my school does not have a traditional GPA. We received evaluations that critiqued and guided our education. This is my biggest concern in regards to graduate school acceptance.
I'm hoping that the teacher's assistant positions, recommendations, and gmat score make up for this and imply to the admissions committees that I'd like have a very good GPA.
After graduation in May I spent a few months travelling (Spain, Germany, Morocco) and studying at a Spanish language school.
Currently, I'm working as an English teacher for foreign students, and I'm applying for more relevant finance related positions. I'm also about to start studying CFA material.
After a lot of research (hard to obtain rankings for MSF programs) I'm applying to:
UF MSF
Carnegie MSCF
Claremont McKenna MSF
Columbia Master Financial Economics
LSE MSc Finance and Economics
Duke MMS
Wash U
Villanova
Vanderbilt
Given everything, do you think I have a shot at any of these? My college advisor said I'd be a shoe-in for UF at least (New College sent a student there a year ago and he's doing well now in Manhattan).
Talk to this guy:
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/user/18009
u should look into princeton as well, since their program is a combination of 2yr quantitative and corporate finance, and they are in the minority of MSF programs that accept GMAT's (MIT and other programs affiliated with business schools accept it also). The one thing I will say is when u do a masters, try to aim for the top schools, because the job placement and on-campus recruiting matters a lot. u don't want to come out of a masters program and end up in a shitty job, you will just hate yourself. As for your GPA question, as long as there is a metric schools can go on, in your case a clear explanation of the grading system would be sufficient.
Your GMAT is what matters. I would just explain the GPA situation. If it is an accredited school I am sure the registrar can convert something for you.
I would hold off on Columbia. You can get into all the schools listed. Focus on which school will give you a full ride.
why hold off on Columbia?
Even LSE Economics and Finance?
Columbia is a two year program, what's the sense? This is the formative class and from what I have read, the program is extremely specialized. Go to MIT, Princeton, CMU before Columbia (at this point in time). Idont know too much about LSE admission standards, but your GMAT is top notch, you have research and TA experience and you have a quant focus UG. I'm sure you can get into one of the LSE MSc programs.
Thanks a lot for the feedback ANT--it's certainly encouragement to power through these statements of purpose. Your website was really helpful when figuring out what schools I should be looking at. Keep up the great work.
I wish I could have applied to Princeton and MIT (reaches or not), but their deadlines were too early to make (Princeton in December, MIT round 2 tomorrow...). Are there any other schools you might recommend, or does this list look pretty solid? Given what you say above I may apply to more than one LSE program. I'm not against a highly quantitative program (CMU for example), so if anyone had any suggestions that'd be great. Only other comp fin program I really looked at was Haas and that seemed aimed more at current professionals ($225 app fee being the most implicit hint). Thanks a lot guys.
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