Vanderbilt MSF vs London Business School MFA
Hello everyone. I got accepted into both programs in round 1 admission, extremely fortunate!! I've had doubts about both programs since I'm international student (in both cases) and my GPA wasn't that great, but here we are.
Now I have to decide which to choose. I know very little about the environment in each program, so I will appreciate any help. Both programs have top-notch curriculum and renowned professors and they both place very well in Investment Banking. I have a slight bias to LBS only because working permit is easier in the UK than in the US, I heard that fewer banks now offer sponsorship in the US. Other than that, I'm totally indifferent about which program I choose, so please help.
Thanks!
I think it just comes down to where you want to work post graduation as both are strong programs.
If your goal is to work in NYC it is possible, however it is not guaranteed if you attend Vanderbilt. They sent 18 students there out of 64 graduates to NYC in the class of 2019. Not all 64 want NYC as many are content staying in the South (38% of overall placements were there). You're profile is strong so you'll likely be able to break into NYC if you want it just don't go there thinking its a certainty.
Given you got into LBS and Vanderbily did you apply to MIT? In my opinion MIT > Vanderbilt if you had the option of going due to its strong brand and location (Boston is a 3-3.5 hour train from NYC).
Something else I would think about is that at LBS you'd have a greater chance of breaking into a BB or EB because getting a masters in Europe is more normal than the US. That likely means there are structured analyst programs that recruit out of the MFA at LBS. In the US an MSF is not as common and there aren't any structured recruiting programs for MSF students that I'm aware of. Certain banks do recruit specifically from the Vandy MSF, however every bank is going to fill most of its analyst slots with UG's and not MSF students. I could be wrong but I'm also pretty sure that most of Vanderbilts placements are at MM banks. There's nothing wrong with that, I just wouldn't go in thinking the school is send 3-5 kids to GS IBD in NY every year. If that's more along the lines of what you're looking for I'd take LBS as I would bet they do consistently place solid numbers at BB banks in London.
regarding MIT, I did consider applying for Sloan MFin, but I didn't think I'd get a chance. my GPA is significantly lower than the average, and my work experience is limited relative to other students. so I ruled it out.
I have no preference really when it comes to MM vs BB. I am willing to work in either, so long as the firm is willing to sponsor me for work, which is why I'm especially reluctant to accep vandy's MSF.
I would try to see if career services at Vanderbilt can point you towards anyone who gained sponsorship in the past. Its probably going to be more challenging due to COVID, however I can't speak to how much harder since I'm a domestic student.
Something else you may want to consider is that hiring next fall could be down after some banks gave out a higher % of FT offers this past year. Would you be happy if you aren't able to break into IB and ended up in Corporate Finance in Nashville or Atlanta or something else non IB related? This is obviously a worse case scenario but if you're IB or bust something to think about is where you'd be happiest if you don't get an IB offer.
Did you get scholarship $ to either?
I'm not trying to push you either way, but if I were in your shoes I would take the LBS.
Unless you really want to work in the US I'd take LBS. Also, like the poster said above, a lot of Vanderbilt's placement seems to be at MM banks while with LBS you'll get opportunities at pretty much every bank in London.
Globally LBS has the stronger brand, even in the US among those in finance LBS carries a lot of weight. The issue is if you want to work in the US, Vandy would make it much easier as getting from LBS to the US would be a reach. If you’re open to working in London or the (European) continent, LBS is a no brainer.
Good luck!
I’m an international that landed at a BB out of Vanderbilt’s MSF. Shoot me a PM if you wanna talk
Random question but when did you apply for Vanderbilt? Their first round deadline was only last week, so this seems insanely early.
early October. pretty early, yes
Yeah, it comes down to whether you really wanna work in the US. Both NYC and BB/EB is a gamble. Vanderbilt MSF is a good program obviously, but it's not a super target for NYC finance like LBS for London finance. And as you said, getting a work visa in the UK should theoretically be much easier.
I'm an international too. If I were in your shoes I'd just go with LBS, work in London for 2-4 years, then either ask for a transfer to the US (if you still want to work in the US by then) or get a M7/T15 MBA. You'll get international experience and TWO brand names on the resume.
i don't really have a preference when it comes to London Vs NYC, they both seem nice. plus, I'm not planning to stay in either city for more than 4 years to be honest, making both cities equivalent in everything really
An international student at an undergrad in the US that just went through recruiting and landed an SA position. If the fact is true that Vandy mostly places at MM Banks, I would lean more towards LBS. Most MM Banks other than maybe a couple (Jefferies and HL RX come to mind) don't sponsor, and only half the BBs sponsor (almost all the EBs sponsor but they are the most difficult to get into). That, in addition to the fact that you have little relevant work exp. and a lower than avg. gpa makes me believe that you will be facing an uphill battle. That's because you'll be compared to all the students at Vandy (both MSF and UG) and most of the good candidates will have higher GPAs, prior internships etc. I know the last fact is probs true at LBS too but this combined with the Visa situation in US right now would make Vandy a deal breaker. Thus, recommend going to LBS.
Can I also clarify what the recruiting timeline would look like for someone in this program? I mean if I was entering a one year MSF programme in August 2021 and expect to graduate by May 2022, then would that mean I need to start networking/applying even before I start my MSF?
- An international student interested in a one year MSF in the states
You would need to start applying to roles before class was starting in some cases and start actively interviewing pretty much from the moment you step on campus.
If you want IB unless you're joining a regional boutique would want to have an offer by mid October at the latest (8-9 weeks into the program).
Wow that is a really tight timeline...I am just wondering as someone coming from an international UG if recruiting would even be possible.
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