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Boston College v/s Iowa State

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Mck2023
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Hi. Congrats on your admits!

Great job!
I am not ChatGPT, and I would be curious which program it recommended but I think the choices a little complex for our poor artificial intelligence fellow. 😂

You are looking at an MBA and a masters program which tend to have different audiences and employers as well. Masters programs in the US traditionally are for people with little work experience and those going straight from undergrad. As the result of the recruiting and interviews and all the other opportunities are more geared towards junior associates basically starting out at the bottom. You have not mentioned the length of your work experience in your post so it’s hard for me to judge but if you are on the more experienced side, I would say the masters program is not the right choice.

Another aspect that makes the recommendation harder is that you have not mentioned your background or at least I have not found it in the post that you made. I would highly recommend structuring it and making sure you provide the details of your background, your goals, and what choices you have and then you can write all your thoughts about the choices and about cost and so on and so forth which honestly does not matter in my recommendation.

The structure in the topic kind of makes me wonder if you are switching industries into finance? Are usually finance people are very organized 😂

Here’s the thing, I’ve talk to a person from Kellogg and Columbia who have sent out the résumé to over 100 companies for an internship and they heard back from three. If you expect a company to give you an internship just because you went to a certain school, that’s not Quite accurate. It doesn’t matter if you want to Iowa or Chicago booth, if your résumé sucks, there are other applicants from Tepper or Ross who will have better resumes and who will get an invitation for an interview. It’s not very accurate to think that just having a school name will make a difference. What makes a difference is talking to the school alumni, networking with them, Learning more and getting referrals and applying intelligently. The school name matters in all the ways except the résumé. No one will recruit you just because you went to a certain MBA program or a masters program.

You have to ask yourself, why would an employer hire you? Why would they give you an internship, someone from a rural Nepal? What are you bringing to the table that someone from downtown New York is not? When you can answer that question, you’ll find a path to recruiting.

If you were young and looking to be a junior financial analyst role, you can go to the masters program. If you’re more experienced and you looking to be more on the business side, I would choose the MBA.

However, looking at the scholarships and cost considerations, I don’t think it’s even worth bothering with the MS degree.

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Hi bb thank you so much for the response.

Firstly, I agree with you on the difficulty in comparing MS and MBA programs. But, this was the only MBA program I applied to, and that too after getting a decision from other MS programs. Why? Because I was not confident enough to be able to get into an MBA or even if I get into one, my assumption was that I would not be able to contribute properly to the class and would end up being the most unsuccessful. I applied to Iowa State when I realized that my MS in Finance would cost me a lot of lot more than my capacity. Furthermore, yes, I didn't give you many details about my profile; apologies for that.

I have attached my raw resume with this post for your reference to guide me, and my GMAT score is 700.

To talk about choices, I only have two choices at the moment. Iowa State MBA/MSF and Boston College Qt Finance. And I want to work in the finance industry in a hardcore finance role, but I am flexible to go into consulting as well. All in all, I want to build a decent career (I hope you won't grill me on this).

I talked to a lot of alumni from Boston as well few from Iowa State (mostly international). What I found is that the Alumni network of Iowa State MBA graduates working in Finance is not that great. Most of them are engineering graduates doing MBA. Talking to students, I found that its really hard for international students to even get a call for an interview, although the career services team is really supportive. While for Boston MSF, I could find many international students working in finance, though not as diverse and big as Boston College undergrad and MBA. Hence, Boston has a bigger alumni network in finance, so higher chances of referrals I assume.

Furthermore, I really want your perspectives on choosing the program. I may not have much now but, after my MBA or MSF, I want to have ample answers to say to employers when they ask "Why would I hire you?" I am ready to put in any amount of effort and hard work I need for that. To be honest, I don't want to regret making a wrong choice and letting go of the career I could have potentially made. Actually, I could not find the review of Iowa State MBA anywhere, so it would be really helpful if you could help me get the review for this MBA.

Thank you again bb
Please note, I can blindly follow your instruction; I really trust you. This means I am really hopeful for detailed instructions and suggestions.

Warm Regards,
Mck2023
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TheMBAEdge
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Hi Experts,
Greetings!!!

I recently got an admission offer from the Iowa State Ivy MBA/MSF Dual Degree for Fall 2023. After scholarships and assistantships, I will have to pay only around $300 per semester and my dual degree will be completed in 24 months. But I also have an offer from Boston College for MS in Quantitative Finance (1-year full time) and to complete this program (fee + living costs, after accounting for scholarships and assistantship) I will have to take a loan of 55-60K with 15.5 APR from Prodigy. I am an international student from Nepal, and have a business background (BBA 3.7 GPA); I have a 700 on GMAT if that's relevant. Which program shall I choose? Personally, I want to go to Boston College, as I think it will be easier for me to get interviews with finance firms. I could not find many international Alumni from Iowa State MBA. I could not judge and compare both programs, so I need your help.

I understand that the program in Boston is very costly for me but a lot of people and websites say that (including ChatGPT), given its prestige, alumni network in finance, and program strength, it has a high chance of helping me in landing multiple interviews in finance firms, if not a job, in the hardcore finance roles (especially the investment roles). With that, I assume (which could be absolutely wrong) I may be able to cover the cost of the loan in 2-4 years. After that, I can have good growth prospects, given the Boston degree and the quality experience, eventually helping me get into Private Equity or Hedge Funds. But getting a job with a Boston degree is still not guaranteed, which nowhere is, and being an international student, its even harder, as I have heard.

And in the case of Iowa State, I do not know about the prospects. I talked to two MBA/MSF alumni from Nepal itself, and they first told me about the missed opportunities for not applying to better universities with a 700 on GMAT, and then they told me about their not-so-good experiences of not getting a single interview in financial service firms for even their internship. I myself could not find someone international with MBA from Iowa State, working in the field I desire. And to be honest, considering the cost, I want to go to Iowa State, (Full funding vs Loan), as I come from a cash-strapped family in remote Nepal. Taking a loan without any financial backup is gonna be a huge burden for me. Hence, if I can be assured that, given the right amount of networking and hard work and doing the CFA, I will be able to get similar career growth from Iowa as I would get form Boston, then Iowa State is a brainer for me. That's why I want your perspectives. Can I still make it into Wall Street (ideal) even if I get into Iowa State? If yes, how hard it would be compared to graduating with MS in Qt Finance from Boston College? What would you do if you were in my place? Please advise me, taking into account the long term. (say 20 years of career). Thank you.

Best Regards,
Mck2023

Glad to see the amount of efforts you have put to evaluate both the admits! I think you have pretty much answered the question yourself, Boston College will be a better bet given its location and regional presence. The Iowa program will put you at disadvantage given the regional nature and lack of any financial hubs in the vicinity.
Would suggest you negotiate more aid, given your strong GMAT, from Boston College as that would make it a more obvious choice.

All the best!

Hi TheMBAEdge
Thank you so much for the response.

I already requested for the additional aid multiple times to many different staffs. They have given me $15K in scholarships, and, as per them, that is the highest amount that they could provide. So, I don't know what do next. I actually want to join Boston MSF, but cost is hindering me. Do you know any other alternatives. I have already got 12 hrs of assistantships that will pay only $6840 for whole one year. Besides that I will have 8 hrs left, during which time, I will look for other opportunities to work. However, I can reject the 12 hrs assistantship, if I get a complete 20 hrs of offer; I mean its flexible. But still I will not be able to finance even my living expenses (in Boston). So, I see no other options than taking a loan, with heavy interest rate. Please provide some suggestion if you may have.

thank you.
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Mck2023
Hi Experts,
Greetings!!!

I recently got an admission offer from the Iowa State Ivy MBA/MSF Dual Degree for Fall 2023. After scholarships and assistantships, I will have to pay only around $300 per semester and my dual degree will be completed in 24 months. But I also have an offer from Boston College for MS in Quantitative Finance (1-year full time) and to complete this program (fee + living costs, after accounting for scholarships and assistantship) I will have to take a loan of 55-60K with 15.5 APR from Prodigy. I am an international student from Nepal, and have a business background (BBA 3.7 GPA); I have a 700 on GMAT if that's relevant. Which program shall I choose? Personally, I want to go to Boston College, as I think it will be easier for me to get interviews with finance firms. I could not find many international Alumni from Iowa State MBA. I could not judge and compare both programs, so I need your help.

I understand that the program in Boston is very costly for me but a lot of people and websites say that (including ChatGPT), given its prestige, alumni network in finance, and program strength, it has a high chance of helping me in landing multiple interviews in finance firms, if not a job, in the hardcore finance roles (especially the investment roles). With that, I assume (which could be absolutely wrong) I may be able to cover the cost of the loan in 2-4 years. After that, I can have good growth prospects, given the Boston degree and the quality experience, eventually helping me get into Private Equity or Hedge Funds. But getting a job with a Boston degree is still not guaranteed, which nowhere is, and being an international student, its even harder, as I have heard.

And in the case of Iowa State, I do not know about the prospects. I talked to two MBA/MSF alumni from Nepal itself, and they first told me about the missed opportunities for not applying to better universities with a 700 on GMAT, and then they told me about their not-so-good experiences of not getting a single interview in financial service firms for even their internship. I myself could not find someone international with MBA from Iowa State, working in the field I desire. And to be honest, considering the cost, I want to go to Iowa State, (Full funding vs Loan), as I come from a cash-strapped family in remote Nepal. Taking a loan without any financial backup is gonna be a huge burden for me. Hence, if I can be assured that, given the right amount of networking and hard work and doing the CFA, I will be able to get similar career growth from Iowa as I would get form Boston, then Iowa State is a brainer for me. That's why I want your perspectives. Can I still make it into Wall Street (ideal) even if I get into Iowa State? If yes, how hard it would be compared to graduating with MS in Qt Finance from Boston College? What would you do if you were in my place? Please advise me, taking into account the long term. (say 20 years of career). Thank you.

Best Regards,
Mck2023

Glad to see the amount of efforts you have put to evaluate both the admits! I think you have pretty much answered the question yourself, Boston College will be a better bet given its location and regional presence. The Iowa program will put you at disadvantage given the regional nature and lack of any financial hubs in the vicinity.
Would suggest you negotiate more aid, given your strong GMAT, from Boston College as that would make it a more obvious choice.

All the best!

Hi TheMBAEdge
Thank you so much for the response.

I already requested for the additional aid multiple times to many different staffs. They have given me $15K in scholarships, and, as per them, that is the highest amount that they could provide. So, I don't know what do next. I actually want to join Boston MSF, but cost is hindering me. Do you know any other alternatives. I have already got 12 hrs of assistantships that will pay only $6840 for whole one year. Besides that I will have 8 hrs left, during which time, I will look for other opportunities to work. However, I can reject the 12 hrs assistantship, if I get a complete 20 hrs of offer; I mean its flexible. But still I will not be able to finance even my living expenses (in Boston). So, I see no other options than taking a loan, with heavy interest rate. Please provide some suggestion if you may have.

thank you.

Unfortunately not too many options outside those that you have already mentioned. Do try to apply for some external scholarships, Boston College would have a list, although most deadlines would be over by now. You can also get quotations from various loan providers to assess which one will be the most convenient, dont solely rely on Prodigy.
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I don't think the high cost Masters would be better. Also, looking at it, 80% of the incoming class are international candidates. This seems like not a good situation.
I would choose Iowa MBA program given these 2 choices.

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And here is the interesting part - the alumni showcase stories seem to be void of any international students... 🙄
Where are the 80%???

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And here is the interesting part - the alumni showcase stories seem to be void of any international students... 🙄
Where are the 80%???

Attachment:
alumni.png

Hi bb,
Thank you for the suggestion (I can bet you got all your CR questions right.)

I talked to some international graduates from Boston, and they also suggested me the same. Meanwhile, another thing is almost 80% of the Iowa State MBA class is filled with recent graduate students (Concurrent MBA).

BTW the attachment alumni.png is not seeable.

Finally, any suggestion on getting best out of Iowa State MBA? Based on your experiences, can you provide me some tips so that I can get a decent internship/full-time offer in Finance sector. To add more, my MBA is dual degree with MFin.

Thank you.!!!!

Thank you.
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Thank you. Added the image.
As to how to find an internship, I would recommend networking now and connecting with people (you can connect with people from BC by the way now and ask them for help with choosing the program/etc) and that way you will get to engage with them, and so you should stay connected wit them on LinkedIn/etc until it is time to look for an internship. This is your best bet since reaching out to them now is the easiest thing for you and for them (since you don't need anything from actually). I would try to get in touch and engage with 5-10 people from both Iowa and BC. When you talk to them, ask how they found an internship and what suggestions they would have for you.
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Thank you. Added the image.
As to how to find an internship, I would recommend networking now and connecting with people (you can connect with people from BC by the way now and ask them for help with choosing the program/etc) and that way you will get to engage with them, and so you should stay connected wit them on LinkedIn/etc until it is time to look for an internship. This is your best bet since reaching out to them now is the easiest thing for you and for them (since you don't need anything from actually). I would try to get in touch and engage with 5-10 people from both Iowa and BC. When you talk to them, ask how they found an internship and what suggestions they would have for you.

Thank you bb,
You just justified what I was doing. I have been fortunate enough to make very good relation with few graduates of Boston College as well as Ohio State. Now onwards, I will do more with Iowa State and try to build a strong relation. Thank you so so much.