MSF Program

Graduate School Business School - MBA
1

<p>Things to know before I start:</p>

<p>-I am an undergraduate student in GUST University in Kuwait.
-Majoring in finance
-graduating in June 2011
-Not worried about the funding
-GPA about 3.35
-GMAT 540 (Scaled Scores were:39 Quantitative, 25 Verbal)
-Would like to start the program in Jan 2012.
-Have taken an internship course that lasted 6weeks in an investment company.
-Will pursue a PhD in Finance after it. </p>

<p>The biggest problem I am facing is that my university is not yet accredited by the AACSB, they have mentioned before that they are working on getting it, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that.</p>

<p>The second problem as you can see is that my GPA and GMAT are not so good. Now this was my first GMAT try and I really haven't studied much for it, so I know that I can do much better next time.</p>

<p>Obviously, I am not expecting a top notch MSF program, but -and excuse my use of words- 'a stepping stone' to a top notch Finance PhD program, so basically a university that is under the radar of the top notch universities offering PhD in Finance, I do know that there isn't a university that guarantees that.</p>

<p>On another note, my university is looking to start MSF and MSA program with affiliation with FIU, but it's gonna take awhile and I am not going to wait or risk them not getting the accreditation yet. So for the time being they have an unofficial association with FIU, and they told me that they could help me get in FIU especially since I already pass FIU's requirements, so how good is FIU in the eye's of the top notch PhD in Finance programs. And more importantly how is their MSF program?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>P.S: IF POSSIBLE I hope that any answers would be associated with some links, so I can have something more to work with</p>

2

<p>If you want PhD, you will want to go to gradcafe or urch phd business forum.</p>

<p>Most PhDs in finance will require heavy math and economics. There is no formal ranking for those, but usually schools that have good econ grad programs have good econ undergrad program. (Of course, top liberal arts schools generally don’t have grad, but are still good). GPA is a concern, you want to get as perfect Q as possible in GMAT to help dent the GPA’s effect.</p>

<p>Mastering in econ or math might even be better than finance.</p>

3

<p>Your GPA is ok, not great. I would give the GMAT another shot and try and get above a 600. Still, with the stats you have, there are a bunch of US based, accredited universities that you could get into. An MSF is a great way to test the waters and see if you like academic level finance.</p>