WUSTL or UVA MSF?
These are my two top choices I've been admitted to. I'm a recent Berkeley Mathematics graduate.
I like that UVA is not for business students but I don't really know what to choose. I like that WUSTL offers a quantitative finance. I want to get my CFA and get into trading or IB.
Any thoughts?
I'd be inclined to go to UVA
By the way, CFA is useless for trading and IB
Thank you for your reply. I have a mentor who is a hedge fund manager in LA. He started out with IB and worked on his CFA. It doesn't hurt, right?
I've heard UVA is amazing with recruiting with banking and even other things such as companies like Rolls Royce. WUSTL I like that it is 1.5 years so I can get some work experience in the summer. However, UVA has a 1-month abroad section included that I'm really interested in.
Tough choice. I'm also applying to Vanderbilt, SMU, Ohio State, and UC San Diego. I don't expect to get into Vanderbilt or OSU just because of the extremely low intake. Ohio seems to be in love with international students, and Vanderbilt only takes like 40 people.
You should try reaching out to current/graduating students at these schools and the advisors to get a better idea of what program fits you better.
I think a ton of the students going into the UVA program thinking they are going to do ib. Without prior experience in ib or s&t it's not going to easy from either school, but the numbers show it is definitely doable.
I wouldn't waste time applying anywhere else. Go UVA. Their program is very specific and very good.
I agree with TNA unless you feel you would get significant scholarship $$ at Vandy.
UVA has better placements overall but WUSTL's quantitative track will open doors beyond IB and consulting (especially if you're considering a PhD in the future). But if you're looking for standard IB, then UVA is the way to go.
Congrats, UVA and WUSTL are great schools. I wouldn't bother applying to SMU or OSU since you already have better options imo. I would look at CMC and USC if you want to stay in Cali. Cmc>usc. Pretty sure CMC is very generous in MSF scholarships also.
Thread wouldn't be complete without Esuric trolling WUSTL per usual. UVA is better in all aspects, and a much more well respected school. I would listen to everybody in this thread that didn't go to WUSTL and go to UVA.
UVA is a much more well respected school in finance/consulting/WSO.
WUSTL stacks up comparably in mostly everything else and is regarded as a powerhouse research institution. But presently, its finance recruiting lags behind its research reputation.
I'd take UVA MSF. Both great offers nonetheless.
OP has a quantitative background and WUSTL offers one of the most quantitative programs in the country that could potentially offer wider exposure to roles beyond traditional IB. UVA's curriculum is fairly basic and it will be difficult to land a position at a quant FI shop, MF, etc. I highlighted this as something the OP may want to keep in mind CONSIDERING HIS BACKGROUND.
Go fuck yourself and you don't know what you're talking about.
I personally think that once you get into these top program the outcome is largely dependent on the student. That being said, I think the UVA program "tends" to place better. I think this is simply a result of UVA's brand and OCR. WUSTL students do extremely well and you aren't going to go wrong with either program.
Agree, I dont think WUSTL is a bad school or anything, I am just sick of the bias spread in every thread with WUSTL in the title.
I still haven't decided. UVA is really cool, but I feel like the heavy quantitative aspect of WUSTL's MSFQ track will take me farther eventually in life. UVA has basically a one-month vacation at the end, I'd probably just go to Sao Paulo and have a good time, that'd be nice. It's only a year while WUSTL is 1 and a half. I don't know. It's a really prestigious program that's tough to get into, but I feel like anyone can do UVA's curriculum really. At WUSTL, I will be literally one of only 22 people in the quantitative track, and I will also be seriously only one of maybe two or three non-internationals in it, I feel like that makes me stand out a little as well. I want to work in NYC so both schools are good for that.
For other people's reference in the future for admissions, I'm a Berkeley mathematics grad, 3.86 junior college GPA, 2.74 Berkeley GPA (Berkeley math is REALLY tough), 3.31 cumulative undergraduate GPA, 55th-59th percentile GRE scores (I never test well when timed), no relevant work experience or internships. Actuarial exam experience. First-generation American (English) and college student.
if you want to be a quant-risk mgmt-options, MSFQ is nice. if you want otherwise, UVa is probably a stronger prospect. you have to get rid of the decision complex. you can always go back to an MBA at the other school if the alum networking opportunities is what you're unsure about.
I assume this is for the GRE Math subject test. For an American, 55th-59th percentile on the Math Subject test is respectable. Nothing to hang your head over.
also consider the profile of schools
UVa I assume is a huge school, let along McIntire + Darden for b-schools. WUSTL Olin will be fairly small- you'd probably stay in Knight Hall for most of your life with BSBA,MBA and MSF C/Q people.
I'm an extremely normal guy for a math major, so I don't usually fit in with my peers. Berkeley I lived in the dorms, had to get used to the "All I do is study" no-fun types, that was kind of a drag, had some good friends though. I'd prefer to be with younger more active people, 21-24 years old, but I'd hope both have that. :/
what the **** do you want though? I don't think going into some program without an idea of what you want to do is a good idea.
These 1 year professional masters start recruiting the day you matriculate into these programs. Since they're among good ranked schools, you'll be overwhelmed with opportunities that seems fit to you, but you must know what you want--otherwise you'll be drowning in the sea of recruiting but not getting that offer.
get a piece of paper. write what you want out of the MSF programs. See which school lines up with your needs better, sign that offer.
thank you
I've essentially chosen WUSTL over UVA, it's too good of an offer with its ranking and quantitative aspect, even though UVA has great OCR. WUSTL's MSFQ is just too good to pass up for a Berkeley math grad.
Interesting decision. I hope you put some serious thought into it before you made it. But now that you made it, here's some advice:
The beauty of the quant program, especially as an American candidate, is the flexibility that it provides - that means that you should not ignore core accounting/valuation courses in favor of PHD classes like 'advanced advanced derivatives.'
Best of luck.
WUSTL vs Vandy vs UVA for MSF? (Originally Posted: 03/12/2014)
I have offers from all three schools and was wondering, tuition cost aside, how the three programs compare if I wanted to end up in either New York or Chicago for IBD.
On a related note, is UVA's MS Commerce program on par with the other two? It seems that it gets mentioned less in comparison to the other top MSF programs(WUSTL, MIT, CMC, VANDY, ect) when it seems to have stellar OCR and a great network on the street. Just wondering if there is something I am missing.
Thanks
imho, uva hands down, even bests mit
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