Hi all, I got my interview invite this week. Planning to take it next week. Hoping that they will be able to accommodate me during the holiday week ! !

Good Luck with your interview !!!

Thanks for the wishes

In with a fellowship.

Grats Sweth!!!!

Did you find out last night or today?

Congrats swethasalunke !!!

Hi,

I have been admitted to UC Irvine with a fellowship. But I also have an acceptance from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (with $$)
Can anyone help me pick the better college?
I want to pursue MBA-Finance track. So from which college do I have a better chance of bagging a job in the finance industry?

Your help would be much appreciated
Thanks.

Hello cmital,

Congrats on your acceptance from both Merage and UIUC.

Both are great schools. If you check out their salary statistics for this year you will get a clear picture.

http://merage.uci.edu/Content/Salary-Statistics/246
http://www.mba.illinois.edu/careers/stats.aspx

I don't have much info about UIUC finance but let me shed some light on finance from Merage. California is a hub for tech industry, we have many alums working in tech companies in finance roles. Most of the international students don't prefer finance track as they want to leverage their tech background for Consulting/Prod Management roles. In my class, a couple of International students are pursuing it since they have a finance background.

In my opinion both the colleges have similar placement statistics for finance. You should weigh your decision on the place where you want to end up post your MBA, both have strong regional placement. Other point would be the cost which you will incur for your MBA. It would be great if you have some kind of certification to back your seriousness for finance. CFA is highly appreciated.

Good luck

-Asphalt

Hi Asphalt,

Thanks a lot for the info!
Could you also share the living expenses that I would incur in California, assuming I live off-campus.
I would prefer settling down in California but the fact that its dominated by the Technology sector raises concerns for me.
Also, could you please shed some light on How accessible are the Finance companies in San Fransisco for Merage students? And if there are Merage alums in the SF area who could be of some help?

I know its a lot of questions but I just want to make sure I take the right decision
Thanks again for all the help :D

waitlisted
can anyone shed some light on this...is there any chance left??

California enjoys the best weather in the US and that accounts for the high cost of living. 2bed 2 bath will cost you some where between 1800 to 2500 USD. (You can easily find roommates in Irvine).
Merage Alums are on a rise in the Bay Area. We were on a bay area trek last week and we visited 16 companies where our Alums work. The companies include google, apple, mcafee, vmware, william sonoma, gap, gallo, paypal, autodesk etc.
Even Qualcomm, Broadcomm, Walt Disney, Mattel, Blizzard, Toyota hire finance guys.

What are your target companies and what role are you looking for?

-Asphalt

Hello Folks,
I got an admit last friday with a 25K scholarship. will be great to connect with other prospective students for the class of 2016.

Got an interview call! Scheduled in second week of Jan. But my worry is, am I too late for $$$?

Hello Spaniard,

No matter when you apply in Merage you are eligible for fellowship. In my case I had applied in R3(international candidate) and my interview was on 23th Feb '13, was in with $$.

Good luck!!!

-Asphalt

Hi all. Hope your holidays are going well.

Congrats on your interview Spaniard.

I'm surprised you got a call as admissions sent out emails that they're closed until after new years. lol I guess some people are still working?

Hi asphalt,
I have sent you a PM. Let's continue our discussion there
Thanks.

Posted from my mobile device

Hello cmital,

Corporate Finance is a great subject. If you are the best in the subject and can complement your experience with CFA level, you have a good shot. If your 2 years of work ex is in the finance domain its an added advantage else you need to toil a bit. Its tough but certainly not impossible. International students do bag intern and full time positions in Finance functions in companies such as Mattel, Toyota, Roth, Wilshire, Holman etc. The number is low as most of the international students don't opt for finance as their work experience resonates with tech industry. Before joining get one CFA level done and your path is clear.

-Asphalt

Thanks a lot Asphalt!

Posted from my mobile device

Skype interview tips:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/pers ... w/2608915/


-Asphalt

Hi Guys!

I have applied till round 2 and got interview appointment on the next week.