Hi,
I'm planning on starting a Master in Finance program in September 2014. I'd like to know what programs I should apply to if I want to be sure to be accepted somewhere.
First, here's my profile:
-Bachelor degree in Economics from an average Swiss uni, really average grades, but outstanding thesis paper.
-GMAT: 680
-TOEFL: 104 (need to retake it though, the 2 year window ends this month)
-Former semi-pro athlete
-2 BB internships (1 back office in finance, 1 front office in sales)
-english/french native speaker
In terms of experience, I'm currently undertaking a six-month internship in the finance department (FX team, back-office) of a BB bank. I have secured a six-month internship starting in February in another BB bank, but this time in FX Sales, which is front office. Can't wait to experience the trading floor, it's going to be amazing.
To be honest, I was thinking of applying to UK programs as London is the place to be for high finance. Also, working in London would completely remove the language problem that might arise if I stay in my country as I do cannot use the language as a work language. I'm a french and english speaker by the way. Another aspect of UK programs that appeals to me is that they are 1 year programs. That means I wouldn't have to write a Master degree thesis which is great. It's by no means the only deciding factor but not having to write a 60-80 page thesis sounds nice, I hate that stuff.
But living in a big financial center is something I want to do and in Europe, London is the place to be.
I'm not really sure what I want to do as a career yet. For now, I certainly want to do something related to the markets so something like M&A, which is pure corporate finance, doesn't appeal to me, at least for now. Global Capital Markets is perhaps something I'd like. I might want to work in sales after my second internship, or want to work in trading. Or even in a hedge fund or private equity firm. I don't really know yet... ALL i KNOW IS THAT i WANT TO MAKE THE BIG LEAGUES, I don't want to settle for something mediocre.
So taking all this into account, what programs do you guys think I can apply to?
Do I have a shot at LSE A&F, Warwick, Imperial, Oxford MFE, MPhil Cambridge, LBS MIM, Cass,...?
thanks a lot
cheers
CASS; good chance LSE A&F; certainly worth a shot, MIF is going to very hard with an average GPA Warwick; decent chance Imperial; Dont know the program well so can't say Oxford; no, GMAT is too low, GPA as well Cambridge; very unlikely as well. That program is also really targeted at people who want to to a PHD afterwards, so probably not what you are looking for anyway. LBS MIM; unlikely. Applications are extremely competitive. You normally spoken need a great GPA and 700+ GMAT.
I agree with most of the above assessment, except that of the LBS MiM. I think that your BB FO Sales internship will bolster your profile, and your GMAT is only slightly below average. The MiF is extremely competitive; the MiM isn't as much. Then again, the MiM is actually better for people looking to enter consulting.
It is a bit late to be applying; I think the later rounds are much more competitive. Also, is there any reason you're not looking at US MSF programmes ?
MiM is indeed not as competitive as an MiF would be (although LBS has no pre-experience MiF), it's still LBS. LBS is easily one of the three most prestigious European business schools and their MiM is one of their only pre-experience master programmes. I imagine it is hugely competitive (in line with Oxford MFE and LSE MiF).
thanks guys
Regarding the MiF at LBS, isn't this program for more experienced people? I looked at the class profile and 3/4 of the class is composed of associates, directors, even managing directors. If this is the case then I don't have a shot. It looks like it's some kind of "experienced" or "advanced" master degree, without it being named as such.
I'd like to mention that I have no intention of working in consulting. My aim is banking/finance. If this is the case, is applying to the LBS MiM, a program that - as you guys mention - I might have a shot at, worth it?
Concerning Cass, I hear lots of mixed reviews. Some say it's a total waste of money, others say it's very underrated and places extremly well if you've had past experience before starting the Master program.
I agree, I haven't really left myself a lot of time, I just need to retake the TOEFL as my score will soon expire and that's it. I probably would have had a better shot if I had applied before but I'd been looking for a nice internship for the past 2/3 months so I didn't really have the time. But I think that I have a pretty good profile and that I still have a legitimate change at getting into a good program.
Lastly, I'm gonna give it my all to try and get a FT offer after the sales internship. It's a possibility, though it'll be extremely tough as landing a front office gig after an off-cycle internship is, in general, really rare, especially this day in age. If you take this into account, how long can one hold a master program offer for ? my internship finishes in August.
so all in all, I'm thinking of applying to the following:
-LSE Master in Accounting and Finance -Imperial Master in Finance -Warwick Master in Finance -Cass Master in Banking and Interntional Finance
-still unsure on LBS MiM.
Of course I'm gonna give it my best to secure a FT gig after my internship but I still want to apply to be on the safe side.
Any other programs you guys can think of that I have a decent shot at, preferably in the UK?
I know there are plenty of continental european programs I could apply to but I think that with 2 internships under my belt, these 10-12 month programs in the UK are perfect for me.
Just throwing in that even though it's continental UK, you could take a look at RSM which also offers a 1-year program as far as I know. Maybe a worthy backup option and likely stronger than Cass... I agree on the assessment of chances for UK schools made earlier on.
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