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 speakerIn 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