Master of Science in Finance Programs? Choices and Chances?

Graduate School Business School - MBA
1

<p>I am a senior currently attending college in a top 20 University in the country (according to US new and world report), major in economics and mathematics (BA), overall GPA 3.1 (major GPA 3.4) GMAT 630. Have lots of leadership experiences, interned at 2 small insurance companies as financial analyst during the past 2 summers. </p>

<p>So early this year I started applying to about 15 MSF (include MQF, even MFE etc.) programs in the country, including Florida State, Florida U, Boston College, Vanderbilt, WashU, Rutgers Georgia State U, Kent, Wisconsin, Illinois, RIT, Bentley, Brandies, Penn State, PolyTech of NYU and more... Mixed of good and bad ones.</p>

<p>I have heard rumors that MSF programs are hard to get in this year b/c everyone's going back to school. Now I'm pretty pessimistic about my situation due to my low GPA, GMAT score and lack of real work experience.</p>

<p>So far only heard back from RIT (accepted), and none others yet. I'm not very familiar with this school, is the MSF program there good? Tuition is not extremely important to me, but compare to other private schools RIT is relatively cheaper. I know it's too early to ask this question since I haven't heard back from other schools yet, but is RIT's MSF worth the money and time? </p>

<p>Which schools do I have a chance at this moment given my personal background? Also I heard GSU has a decent Business School (ranks 50's in the nation) despite it's 3rd tire overall University ranking. Other programs i consider as safety are MQF @ Rutgers and MSF @ Penn State (part time), how are these schools' reputation in the finance field?</p>

<p>Also, is attending school in NY/Boston area important if I want to work in NY area after graduation? Some say it's better to attend school near by or at least in the North if I want to stay/work there in the future.</p>

<p>Any input is appreciated!</p>

2

<p>I assume you want to get a Master’s in Finance primarily in order to get a job in finance. If that is the case, what you need to do is visit the school and speak with soon-to-graduate students, or at least try to get a few on the phone, and find out how the recruiting is. Find out what kind of companies go there to recruit, what positions they recruit for, what those starting salaries are, what your odds are of getting interviews, converting interviews to job offers, etc. Then compare different schools along these criteria. If you are not satisfied with what you discover, it may not be worth the money. But it is VERY important that you thoroughly seek after this information so you don’t wind up disappointed if you go to the school, spend the money, then fail during recruiting season. Also, it is important that you try to gauge the success of students like you (i.e. those with similar academic statistics and level of work experience. Companies will judge your undergrad academic history, your GMAT score, and your work experience in making their decisions). You have to determine whether the marginal cost of this extra year of schooling (it’s price tag along with foregone wages) is worth the marginal benefit you will receive from going to school (better entry level job, perhaps better long-term earnings as well). Many companies are looking for MBAs, and if you find yourself needing to go back for an MBA later down the road after doing a Master’s in Finance, you might kick yourself.</p>

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<p>While I can’t tell you what your chances are, I can tell you that most MSF/MFE programs look heavily at your stats (GPA and GMAT) since many of them do not require work experience. The top programs are going to have GPA averages of 3.5+ and GMAT averages of 680-700+. For the MFE programs, they will focus even harder on your quant scores. Over 80% is generally a good benchmark. </p>

<p>I lived in ATL for a bit and can tell you that GSU is a respected business school in Atlanta. I don’t know much about the MSF program, but I’m assuming it would lead to opportunities in Atlanta (but not likely NYC). </p>

<p>The most important thing, as mention before, is to connect with the graduate offices and learn as much as you can about the programs and the job prospects afterwards. If you can, get in contact with the students there and find out what kind of job offers they are getting out of the program. </p>

<p>A couple of questions: What are you looking for in a program? What kind of job are you trying to get after the program?
I ask this because the MSF and MFE are two different beasts.</p>

4

<p>Thanks so much for your replies!</p>

<p>The ideas are great! The RIT MSF program description says it prepares student for CFA, do most other MSF programs prepare students for CFA as well? Or does an MSF from a prestiges school weight far more heavier than a CFA license. And is CFA a common goal for finance students?</p>

<p>Yes, I do have concerns about the worthiness of this degree, judging from the salary chart provided by RIT, the median salary for newly MSF grads is around 47k, which is not too impressive. But, from the full time jobs i looked at, my current BA degree will only place me somewhere between $30k - $40k. How is RIT’s reputation? I just got a hold of a couple of RIT alum’s and will chat with them in depth about the school, thank you guys for clearing me up on my confusions. </p>

<p>Yes, i would like to stay around NY area after graduation and exactly why GSU concerns me. But given the job market, who knows where the jobs are, I might end up finding a job in ATL and then move back up in a few years. How are finance related jobs in ATL? I know Emory and GT are great schools too, grads from GSU won’t have a chance competing with grads from those schools, or would they?</p>

<p>Get back to your questions: I want a program that prepares me for a decent job in the north. International finance interests me a lot and finding a job related to this in the future is ideal. I agree, MFE is entirely different from MSF, what jobs are there for MFE? I scored 74% on GMAT, and OK with math works, would MFE be a better option than MSF?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

5

<p>Most, if not all, MSF programs prepare you for Level 1 of the CFA designation. For more information about the CFA designation, see [CFA</a> Institute Home](<a href=“http://www.cfainstitute.org/]CFA”>http://www.cfainstitute.org/).</p>

<p>RIT is not very-well, if much at all, represented on the Street (I am assuming this is what your asking.)</p>

<p>When I asked about the type of job you were looking for, I was looking for something more specific like sales and trading, investment banking, asset management, etc. The type of degree you will want to pursue will be dependent on the type of career you want after you complete the program. </p>

<p>THe MFE program will prepare you for quant roles in finance, i.e. derivatives trading, pricing and structuring, and quantitative asset management. These are jobs that generally require a technical degree. </p>

<p>For other kinds of jobs, i.e. investment banking, straight equity trading, etc, the MFE program won’t help much. Groups that hire for these kinds of jobs don’t seek out MFE-type skills, because they aren’t required. </p>

<p>Some people want the former kind of job, and some people want the latter. If you fall in the first camp, then the MFE track is the track you will want to pursue. In my opinion, unless you want a job where you are potentially using math and programming (C++/Java) every day or trading an exotic product, the MFE track won’t be for you.</p>

<p>My advice is focus on exactly what type of career you want. Do some research on these different fields of banking/finance. As you start to figure this out, some of the answers to your questions will become clearer. </p>

<p>“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will lead you there.” - Lewis Carroll</p>

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<p>Hey… can you tell me more abt RIT MS finance…the reputation and comparisions. And anything that can help me?</p>

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<p>Hi,
I did my undergrad from RIT and am currently applying to Masters in Finance programs. If you got into RIT i am guessing they offered you some sort of scholarship too. Anyway about the Saunders college of business I know the last year or so has not been very good for the school but things do seems to be looking up (I was back on campus all of last week, Go tigers) and the feedback i got was very positive. I know that Lehman Brothers did a lot of recruiting from RIT and Goldman comes to campus every year so its not all doom and gloom. RIT though is a tech school first and foremost and quite frankly if you get into Vady or Olin i would definitely choose them over RIT, I am still waiting on WashU (Olin) to get back to me. Anyway if any one has any questions about RIT feel free to send me a pm or email.
Good luck with your applications!</p>

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<p>For which types of positions? I doubt front office ones.</p>

9

<p>Hey, i read your entry on the forum.
I got a 37% scholarship for the MS finance program. I am awaiting Case Western and Boston College results.
You said Saunders didnt have a good year, i think you meant it recruitment wise(correct me if i am wrong). But what i want to know is about the quality of education and teaching and the college atmosphere. I mean, is it a good place to study and learn? Do they encourage research and projects?</p>

<p>Jobs arent a concern. They can wait. But what i am looking for is a good, solid educational and a cultural experience. </p>

<p>Thanks for the insight.</p>

10

<p>Yeah front office positions are rare but I do know a few people who got front office positions at Goldman and ML.</p>

<p>As for the school let me out it this way you could do better ( I am not aware of case western or how good their program is, but I would definitely go to Boston College if I got in) then again you could do a lot worse then RIT. The school itself is pretty good I did a business minor and really enjoyed it. My Operations Management professor was William Stevenson, who in case you didn’t know is the author of the most widely used academic book on the subject.
I cant say for certain about research at Saunders as I did my independent study and research with the department of economics but everyone was very helpful and research work was encouraged. After I completed my paper the school sent me to two conferences (Mid west economics confrence and and NY state economics conference) this was a lot of help as it told me the areas in which my research was lacking. So in short everyone was very supportive and encouraging and worked with me till the paper was published in April 2009.
If you are into research I suggest looking into Dr. Ashok.
[Dr</a>. Ashok Robin - Saunders College of Business :: RIT](<a href=“http://saunders.rit.edu/directory/facstaff/26]Dr”>College Directory | Saunders College of Business | RIT)
Send him and email im sure he would be more then happy to answer any questions you might have.</p>

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<p>i heard from an engg grad alumni that Saunders is pretty average. So i am starting to have reservations abt the college. That along with what i gather a “no social life” seem to be daunting prospects.
Is he wrong?</p>

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<p>like I said ( i dont know your scores) there are better schools and programs out there but from a personal point I worked on an independent research and got it published so I got a lot out of RIT.
As for the social life my first couple of quarters at RIT were pretty dull but after that I enjoyed every last bit of it. Rochester is not LA or NYC but as with most things in life your social life is what you make of it.
Again if you get in U of Rochester or Vandy or Florida they are definitely better programs but if not RIT is a very descent option Saunders as school too has gotten a lot of grants of late and I dont think its a bad place to go. I have a friend who did his MBA from Saunders and he got a job straight away and is making very good money working for credit suisse now.
Again I cant really say which school is the best option for you. I will say though I know you are waiting on BC if it was me and I had the choice I’d go to BC. Finally, I can get you in touch with a friend of mine who is doing his MSF from RIT if you want?</p>

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<p>That would be great if u could get in touch.
I am waiting on BC till maybe the 20th of this month, also case western.
Do u know how the teaching at RIT is- interactive, lots of discussions?</p>

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<p>hello all,</p>

<p>i am with cognizant, as a Programmer analyst, i’ve applied for ms Fin programsat</p>

<p>1) olin- rejected
2) boston-rejected
3) rit-interview scheduled
4) tulane-interview scheduled</p>

<p>and yet to hear back from</p>

<p>5) uncc
6) maryland
7) iit
8) umass
9) drexel</p>

<p>I’d really appreciate any view/opinions/ideas u may have ,</p>

<p>Thanks a lot guys</p>

15

<p>Hello friends, </p>

<p>Iam a bit confused which of the 2 is better university for MSFinace </p>

<p>I got through both Brandeis and Penn state </p>

<p>I am very confused about which of the 2 is better one. </p>

<p>I do like Curriculum of Brandeis more than Penn state. But Penn state is relatively cheaper in terms of tution fee. </p>

<p>Job prospects is biggest thing , which of the two have better prospects ??</p>

<p>Many thanks in advance.</p>

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<p>Penn State has an online and a great valley MSF. I would opt for Brandeis over either of those two, unless you were in state and wanted to do it cheap. Being in Boston will allow you to intern which is important. Plus you will be in a large metro when going to school. </p>

<p>Check out my site (it is my user name). I have every program listed and will be posting a Boston College student review soon.</p>

17

<p>Hey there…I have received a call from RIT for MS finance and Earlier I received admit from case western. I would be grateful If you could share your views about these two colleges? I would want to know about quality of education at RIT and placement scenario.
Thanx…</p>

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<p>I personally would choose Case Western, but that is just me. RIT is a good school and Rochester is a nice, small city, but I think Case is better known internationally and Cleveland is a much bigger city.</p>

19

<p>Hello!
I just got admits into IIT Chicago’s Stuart School Of Business and in RIT for MSF program.
Where do i join? I am confused about what college is better
Any input will be useful.
Thank You</p>