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?

 

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.

 
TNA:

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.

Array
 

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.

“Elections are a futures market for stolen property”
 

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.

 
jss09:

UVA is better in all aspects, and a much more well respected school.

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.

 
Ipso facto:
jss09:
UVA is better in all aspects, and a much more well respected school.

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.

This was in reference to business in general, as this is WSO. Research, Bio, CS, etc. is a completely different convo not for this site.
 
Ipso facto:
jss09:
UVA is better in all aspects, and a much more well respected school.

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.

“Elections are a futures market for stolen property”
 
jss09:

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.

Go fuck yourself and you don't know what you're talking about.

“Elections are a futures market for stolen property”
 
Esuric:
jss09:
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.

Go fuck yourself and you don't know what you're talking about.

Really mature. Once again, your trolling a WUSTL thread, and nobody agrees with you.
 

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.

 

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.

 
whattherock:

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 interested in what you are getting at here, like whether I like a small community or a large one?

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.

 

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.

 
Best Response
1wronskian:

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:

  1. Get involved in the practicum/Taylor community consulting program and try to apply the quantitative methods taught to you in the program
  2. Take all of the ACF courses (these are geared towards CorpFin but it's something all finance students should take, in my opinion)
  3. Take both of Frankel's accounting/valuation courses (business valuation with financial statements and advanced business valuation with financial statements)
  4. Do not take a single course with professor Chib
  5. You're going to gain exposure to java/matlab/rstudio/crystalball/@risk but also make sure that you familiarize yourself with Bloomberg/Capital IQ (used extensively in the courses highlighted in points #2/3).

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.

“Elections are a futures market for stolen property”
 

Reprehenderit necessitatibus officia quia et dolor. Neque et vel qui sint sed error culpa. Dignissimos accusamus natus ipsum placeat.

Ullam et quia sed. Inventore iusto sed sit ut placeat vero officiis.

 

Explicabo sed itaque consequatur quas corporis. Et ratione quos pariatur non ipsa suscipit ipsam.

Vel molestiae impedit qui reprehenderit nihil. Minima aut nemo quas et in dolor. Minima quo perspiciatis fuga quis. Non ex sapiente corrupti et. Dolor vel temporibus aut facere.

Assumenda dicta et quod porro. Voluptas minus aliquid illum labore non vero. Voluptatem rerum ad molestiae eius. Excepturi nulla porro labore eaque iste est qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”