What MSF should I target? *help*

I'm graduating in december with a double major in accounting/finance from a non-target (~top 60 UG business school) with a sub-par GPA (3.0). I've gotten solid interviews but have been unable to translate that into any offers. I'm about to start studying for the GMAT and am curious what I should be shooting for to be competitive. I've completed internships in corporate finance for a F10 and at a large private firm at their Swiss HQ. I failed calc 2 my sophomore year and had to retake it, so I know I would need to crush the GMAT and address this in my essay. If I decide to go the MSF route then I'll target unpaid internships after I graduate in december.

Is anyone willing to shed some light on where I should target and what sort of gmat score I would need?

 

I'm a current MSF at a top 5 (? who knows, there isn't a great ranking for MSF) program, so I have limited experience, but have just gone through the process. I went to a non-target (worse than yours), had a 3.5, and had some business development internship experience. Not a strong resume, but a strong GMAT helped me a lot.

I think the GMAT is a great way to distinguish yourself and make up for some other weaknesses in your application. Most top MSF programs have a high-600's average, but if you can get over 700, that will help you a lot and really give you some credibility. I was over 7, and that was a huge help.

Overall, I would say MSF is a great way to become competitive in a short time. I've watched countless classmates accept great IBD offers, who just months ago were seniors at non-target schools with little or no internship experience. Financial Engineer has one of the few MSF rankings, and it's generally well-regarded.

Also, in response to your failing a class and having to explain, I would say being open and honest about everything you've done is the best policy. I had a few low points in my application as well, but wrote a great essay essentially telling the story behind these faults and explaining that I've learned from these mistakes and will work harder than the competition to get where I need to be. You can't hide anything in these applications, it's all right there on the page, so just be honest and own your faults.

 
mp505:

I'm a current MSF at a top 5 (? who knows, there isn't a great ranking for MSF) program, so I have limited experience, but have just gone through the process. I went to a non-target (worse than yours), had a 3.5, and had some business development internship experience. Not a strong resume, but a strong GMAT helped me a lot.

I think the GMAT is a great way to distinguish yourself and make up for some other weaknesses in your application. Most top MSF programs have a high-600's average, but if you can get over 700, that will help you a lot and really give you some credibility. I was over 7, and that was a huge help.

Overall, I would say MSF is a great way to become competitive in a short time. I've watched countless classmates accept great IBD offers, who just months ago were seniors at non-target schools with little or no internship experience. Financial Engineer has one of the few MSF rankings, and it's generally well-regarded.

Also, in response to your failing a class and having to explain, I would say being open and honest about everything you've done is the best policy. I had a few low points in my application as well, but wrote a great essay essentially telling the story behind these faults and explaining that I've learned from these mistakes and will work harder than the competition to get where I need to be. You can't hide anything in these applications, it's all right there on the page, so just be honest and own your faults.

You seem to have insight into the specific programs. I've heard that a lot of MSF programs feed into quant roles much more strongly than IB; which programs have you seen a lot of people convert IB offers out of?

 

Why did you take Calc 2? The vast majority of American universities that offer finance/accounting only require 1 semester of calculus. What did you get on the retake? I also ask because as an MSF, you may well have to give companies your UG transcripts. However, for MSF programs, having taken Calc 2 bodes very well for you since most of your classmates, internationals, will have 3 semesters of Calc. Try to take calc 3 before you get there to be on par with them. You'll also have more impressive courses for your resume because many of the more specialized ones that NCAA Ivy League athletes will have nothing close to will be courses that require Calc 3 or DiffEq.

That aside, the MSFs you should look at should be Vanderbilt, Boston College, Texas-Austin, WUSTL, MIT, and Princeton. Also, get above 670 on your GMAT. You'll have a shot at the first three. Get over 700, you'll have a shot at them all.

Getting into the school will be 1000x easier than getting a job. If you make the stats I give you, if you're a domestic US applicant (which I assume you are), you're in. However, unless you have a 3.7/3.8 GPA or better (competing against math beasts nonetheless), you ain't getting investment banking. You'll get consulting, or quant stuff. Possibly corporate stuff as well. Still, I have a thread you might be interested in on B-School Barrage.

Also, be careful about your end game of targeting unpaid internships after you graduate. What if you wind up with an employment gap? Most programs are a year and a summer. If I were you, I'd take advantage of the flexibility many programs actually offer but don't advertise.

 

3.0 isn't a killer. Failing calc 2 won't matter. Calc 1 is what you need. Internships are good. Your GMAT will make or break you. Over 700 gives you a shot at most programs. Below a 700 and your odds start narrowing.

What's your GMAT timing? I'd advise you apply first or second round.

 

@Johny-Doo my school makes us take calc 1&2 for accounting and finance. I failed it b/c I was a sophomore and didn't go to class/always do my homework. i got a C when I retook it. i would be targeting consulting.

@TNA thanks for the reply. I just looked back and it was calc 1 that I retook. I plan on taking the GMAT late november and applying to round 1 or 2. Can i make up for doing poorly in calc with a good GMAT still? I'd be applying to WUSTL, Nova and Vandy.

 
trippycannon:

@Johny-Doo my school makes us take calc 1&2 for accounting and finance. I failed it b/c I was a sophomore and didn't go to class/always do my homework. i got a C when I retook it. i would be targeting consulting.

@TNA thanks for the reply. I just looked back and it was calc 1 that I retook. I plan on taking the GMAT late november and applying to round 1 or 2. Can i make up for doing poorly in calc with a good GMAT still? I'd be applying to WUSTL, Nova and Vandy.

job first but probably need a high GMAT. often GMAT/GPA gets you the 'academc' checkmark, so if you suck in both, it's not a good sign.

Plan to admit that you didn't study hard enough in those interviews.

 
Best Response
trippycannon:

@Johny-Doo my school makes us take calc 1&2 for accounting and finance. I failed it b/c I was a sophomore and didn't go to class/always do my homework. i got a C when I retook it. i would be targeting consulting.

@TNA thanks for the reply. I just looked back and it was calc 1 that I retook. I plan on taking the GMAT late november and applying to round 1 or 2. Can i make up for doing poorly in calc with a good GMAT still? I'd be applying to WUSTL, Nova and Vandy.

Do well on the GMAT and you'll get into a number of good firms. At this point you really need a good gpa, a IB type internship and some networking to get you over the hump. Target Big 4 valuation as well. Slightly easier to get ,but you can keep networking and you'll eventually land an off cycle IB job. I've seen countless people do a year in valuation and transfer to banking.

 

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