Last visit was: 18 Nov 2025, 15:33 It is currently 18 Nov 2025, 15:33
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Narenn
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 22 Feb 2012
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 9,168
Own Kudos:
11,074
 [18]
Given Kudos: 4,651
Affiliations: GMAT Club
Test: Test
Products:
GMAT Club Tests
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 9,168
Kudos: 11,074
 [18]
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 11 Jul 2018, 01:42
8
Kudos
Add Kudos
10
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post

!
Hi Guys, This is a Master thread for all profile evaluation requests for MS Finance applications. We do not want random profile evaluation threads everywhere on the forum. This will help people get some consolidated advice from consultants and help others learn as well.

Post your profile here if you want!

Suggested Template
  • Background and nationality
  • Undergrad Information
  • GMAT/GRE
  • Work experience and leadership
  • Community and others
  • Post Master goals
  • Anything else?
User avatar
MSFHQ
User avatar
Joined: 17 Jul 2010
Last visit: 11 Jun 2023
Posts: 905
Own Kudos:
229
 [3]
Given Kudos: 2
Location: United States (NY)
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 905
Kudos: 229
 [3]
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 11 Jul 2018, 05:15
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
TCMFD
Hello everyone,

I recently finished my undergrad in Business Administration and am now looking at Mfin programs. I have a few programs that interest me, but not sure about my chances with any of them, so any comments, ideas and recommendations will help.

Profile:
Undergrad: 3.3GPA (Double Degree in Business Administration from non-target University in Germany and non-target University in New Zealand (majors in Accounting and Finance))
GMAT 710
Big4 Audit Internship
At time of application roughly 6 months full time work experience at a mid-tier consulting firm with risk management focus
Plan is to switch to IB or Asset management after graduation (most likely in Europe, but possibly in the US)


Programs:
London Business School
London School of Economics
Stockholm School of Economcs
Bocconi
HEC Paris
Oxford
Imperial College
RSM

What do you guys think? Any chance of getting into any of these programs?
I don't have a particular interest in academia and would therefore prefer a program that shows a more practical approach with applications of real world problems instead of theoretical essays, etc. can anyone differentiate these programs based on this?

Thank you guys so much! I appreciate the help!
Show more

GMAT is good, GPA is decent, but not great. I think you’d have a good shot at one of the LSE MSc programs. LBS MiM, maybe (Mfin is for experienced people and the MBA isn’t suited for you at this point).

I know Bocconi likes high GMAT scores. I would apply there. All the others are the top schools in Europe. I know their reputation and that European schools like higher scores than say the American programs would. I’d probably apply to as many as you can afford and have time for. Your odds will fluctuate depending on the strength and blend of the applying class.

Posted from my mobile device
avatar
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 11 Jul 2018, 05:42
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MSFHQ
GMAT is good, GPA is decent, but not great. I think you’d have a good shot at one of the LSE MSc programs. LBS MiM, maybe (Mfin is for experienced people and the MBA isn’t suited for you at this point).

I know Bocconi likes high GMAT scores. I would apply there. All the others are the top schools in Europe. I know their reputation and that European schools like higher scores than say the American programs would. I’d probably apply to as many as you can afford and have time for. Your odds will fluctuate depending on the strength and blend of the applying class.

Posted from my mobile device
Show more

First of all, thank you for reply.

Now that you mention it, I realize that the Masters in Finance at LBS is for experienced people and that's the one that's ranked highly. They do have the Masters in Financial Analysis though, which targets anyone with <2 years work experience, but that doesn't appear to be in any rankings. Do you think this is just due to rankings not showing several programs from the same University or is the program somehow inferior?
Same question could actually be asked about LSE. You mentioned I might have a shot at one of their programs. Since they have quite a few different versions of their Finance programs (just finance, finance & PE, Finance & economics...), is there anything I should look out for when applying? Would this just come down to personal preference regarding the curriculum?

Thanks again!
avatar
sy160
avatar
Joined: 12 Apr 2019
Last visit: 23 Feb 2020
Posts: 5
Own Kudos:
3
 [3]
Posts: 5
Kudos: 3
 [3]
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 13 Apr 2019, 07:34
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello everyone,

I'm currently a senior at a mediocre university in the United States. I am graduating with summa cum laude. I have a double major in Accounting and Finance, and a minor in Mathematics. I want to apply for masters in finance at MIT. I know it's competitive. I just wanted to get some evaluation of my chances for acceptance at MIT ms finance. Here is my profile:

An international student at a US university
Major GPAs: 4
Cumulative GPA: 3.93
GMAT 710 (Q50/V37)
Honors college: graduating with Summa Cum Laude
two research papers (writing in progress)
President/founder: Financial Management Association (FMA)
Founder of a community library in my hometown (providing access to more than 10,000 individuals)
Election Commission: Student Government Association
Student Ambassador: college of business and economic development
President: high school student council
No work experience: senior at current college. no internship because I'm an international. You all know how difficult it is to get internships and jobs in trump administration.

I am working hard to get into some competitive master programs. Please help me evaluate my profile and suggest me how i can better improve my chances. Thank you,
User avatar
MiMEssay
User avatar
Joined: 22 Sep 2013
Last visit: 25 Nov 2024
Posts: 1,810
Own Kudos:
417
 [1]
Given Kudos: 19
Concentration: Marketing, Entrepreneurship
GMAT 1: 690 Q49 V35
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 1: 690 Q49 V35
Posts: 1,810
Kudos: 417
 [1]
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here Updated on: 29 May 2020, 12:26
Originally posted by MiMEssay on 20 Aug 2019, 05:45.
Last edited by Narenn on 29 May 2020, 12:26, edited 2 times in total.
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sy160
Hello everyone,

I'm currently a senior at a mediocre university in the United States. I am graduating with summa cum laude. I have a double major in Accounting and Finance, and a minor in Mathematics. I want to apply for masters in finance at MIT. I know it's competitive. I just wanted to get some evaluation of my chances for acceptance at MIT ms finance. Here is my profile:

An international student at a US university
Major GPAs: 4
Cumulative GPA: 3.93
GMAT 710 (Q50/V37)
Honors college: graduating with Summa Cum Laude
two research papers (writing in progress)
President/founder: Financial Management Association (FMA)
Founder of a community library in my hometown (providing access to more than 10,000 individuals)
Election Commission: Student Government Association
Student Ambassador: college of business and economic development
President: high school student council
No work experience: senior at current college. no internship because I'm an international. You all know how difficult it is to get internships and jobs in trump administration.

I am working hard to get into some competitive master programs. Please help me evaluate my profile and suggest me how i can better improve my chances. Thank you,
Show more

Hey sy160,

Your profile looks interesting. One of the strongest factors about your profile is your CGPA. We will discuss more in detail. Let us have a glimpse at your target school i.e. MIT.
MIT is one of the most competitive schools worldwide. According to FT rankings 2018, MS in Finance at MIT Sloan is ranked 7th worldwide. MS in Finance at MIT has 2 options i.e. 12 months and 18 months. You can choose either of them.

So overall you have a fair profile. You have a strong GMAT score which can be one of your strengths while applying to MIT. You have been the founder of the Financial Management Association which can be used to showcase initiatives taken. You also founded a community library. Your experience at a community library can be used to compensate for the lack of work experience as you have done a fantastic job catering to thousands of individuals. In your extracurriculars, you can highlight your experience at Election commission and student ambassador.

One of the areas where you can face tough competition is a lack of work experience because there are many applicants who apply to schools with work experience in globally known brands or companies. Getting into MIT or any other school in MAsters in Finance can be challenging without work experience. So you can make your profile stronger by taking up some freelance projects, look out for some internships, certifications in a relevant field,

A few things that you can do to improve your profile can be take up some courses related to Finance, or get into a financial profile at an NGO, participate in some events or competitions related to Finance as it will add value to your profile. And most importantly, you should have well written strong essays that put all the above points into perspective. All these factors will surely help add value to your profile

Also, regarding the schools, you need to have some more options in hand to be on the safer side. It depends on which country you want to study.
Some schools that you can apply in are Princeton, NYU, Rotman School of Management, EDHEC, HEC, ESCP.

A lot of chances of your selection depends upon how you showcase your profile. So you need to make sure that you highlight all your strengths properly such as good GMAT, extracurriculars, leadership skills, initiatives are taken, etc. I hope that helped!

For a more detailed evaluation of your profile you can take our free profile evaluation: https://mim-essay.com/profile-evaluation?gcf
Hope this helped!
User avatar
MSFHQ
User avatar
Joined: 17 Jul 2010
Last visit: 11 Jun 2023
Posts: 905
Own Kudos:
229
 [1]
Given Kudos: 2
Location: United States (NY)
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 905
Kudos: 229
 [1]
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 20 Aug 2019, 06:29
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sy160
Hello everyone,

I'm currently a senior at a mediocre university in the United States. I am graduating with summa cum laude. I have a double major in Accounting and Finance, and a minor in Mathematics. I want to apply for masters in finance at MIT. I know it's competitive. I just wanted to get some evaluation of my chances for acceptance at MIT ms finance. Here is my profile:

An international student at a US university
Major GPAs: 4
Cumulative GPA: 3.93
GMAT 710 (Q50/V37)
Honors college: graduating with Summa Cum Laude
two research papers (writing in progress)
President/founder: Financial Management Association (FMA)
Founder of a community library in my hometown (providing access to more than 10,000 individuals)
Election Commission: Student Government Association
Student Ambassador: college of business and economic development
President: high school student council
No work experience: senior at current college. no internship because I'm an international. You all know how difficult it is to get internships and jobs in trump administration.

I am working hard to get into some competitive master programs. Please help me evaluate my profile and suggest me how i can better improve my chances. Thank you,
Show more

Your GPA is strong and you have a minor in math which will help you. GMAT is OK. Since MIT has a ton of international students I think they will understand that the verbal is what is hurting you.

https://mitsloan.mit.edu/mfin/apply/class-profile

As you can see, your GPA is higher than the class profile, but your GMAT is on the lower end. The program is mainly international students, which is shocking to me since international students have a hard time finding sponsorship. I suppose MIT has enough weight that it doesn't matter. Being international slightly hurts you in other programs, but with MIT you should be fine.

I think it is worth applying and I think you stand a decent chance. MIT has a huge class size. Lack of work experience, lack of prominence of UG school and GMAT on the lower end will be your challenges.

As for strengthening your application - higher GMAT. About it at this point.

Good luck.
avatar
KjustK97
avatar
Joined: 30 Aug 2019
Last visit: 27 Jul 2021
Posts: 6
Given Kudos: 2
GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V38
GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V38
Posts: 6
Kudos: 0
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 10 Oct 2019, 11:59
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
hi all,
i have recently graduated from hansraj college which is a top college at Delhi university in BA Economics Honours with a cgpa of 6.838.
I gave gmat and got a score of 690(Q47,V38). I got 96% in class 12
I also have participated in a pan DU event where i was a member of organising team and have done 2-3 internships during college.

I wanted to know my chances of getting into masters in finance related programs from Imperial college london, Warwick business school and any other top UK colleges.
Also I am ready to pursue masters in management if that is a better option for me

Thanks
User avatar
MiMEssay
User avatar
Joined: 22 Sep 2013
Last visit: 25 Nov 2024
Posts: 1,810
Own Kudos:
417
Given Kudos: 19
Concentration: Marketing, Entrepreneurship
GMAT 1: 690 Q49 V35
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 1: 690 Q49 V35
Posts: 1,810
Kudos: 417
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 24 Nov 2019, 23:15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
rishabhrana97
hi all,
i have recently graduated from hansraj college which is a top college at Delhi university in BA Economics Honours with a cgpa of 6.838.
I gave gmat and got a score of 690(Q47,V38). I got 96% in class 12
I also have participated in a pan DU event where i was a member of organising team and have done 2-3 internships during college.

I wanted to know my chances of getting into masters in finance related programs from Imperial college london, Warwick business school and any other top UK colleges.
Also I am ready to pursue masters in management if that is a better option for me

Thanks
Show more

Hi rishabhrana97, so most of the major UK Schools do not have a mandatory GMAT requirement, except for LBS and LSE. Again, UK Schools are more stringent about the GPA bit, so a 6.8 might be slightly on the lower end.
UG College rank, however looks good.
Between an MFIn and an MiM, the better degree would for you would depend upon how deep you want to go into the field of finance.
MFin, being a specialized masters program, will have intensive finance based curriculum and is recommended if you are very sure of working in the finance field in the long term. In case you are not sure and want to be open to more job profiles in management, an MiM will be more suitable.
Secondly, for MFin it is recommended to have some experience in Finance (Internships/full time jobs) to stand a better chance.
To determine which program is more suitable for you and which schools to apply for, I would suggest you to take up a profile evaluation so that I can get back with an indepth analysis. Here's the link : https://www.mim-essay.com/profile-evaluation?gmat-pe
avatar
dj54321
avatar
Joined: 26 Nov 2019
Last visit: 26 Nov 2019
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 26 Nov 2019, 14:13
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello,

I am looking to apply to MSF programs for Fall 2020.
I am primarily interested in Vanderbilt, UTA, BC, WUSTL, as well as the MiM from Duke, and the MS Commerce (Finance Track) from UVA

Academic Background:
3.4 GPA from a reputable school (top 40-50) with BSBA in Finance
Heavy quant background, several semesters of calc, stats, etc. and some programming
Semester abroad at a prestigious university in Europe
ECs: Served as an ambassador for my University to attract foreign students/acclimate them to U.S. life, and was a member of a leadership program for local community change (lots of volunteering stuff)
Graduated early
Worked part-time all throughout college and attended on a pretty much full ride scholarship (from a low-income family)

700 GMAT

Work History:
I know this is a weak area as I have very little relevant experience.
Currently doing corporate finance (controlling) for a very well-known company (not a relevant industry)
Completed an internship in corporate finance (similar role) in another very well-known company
bs operations internship for an independent brokerage where i did nothing (probably wouldn't even list it)

I am wondering how much of shot I have at these programs. Also, on a side note I am wondering if it is worth it to apply to some European programs (Bocconi, Imperial, ESADE) as an American, or if it would be a waste of time/effort (I wouldn't mind working in Europe)

Thanks in advance for the feedback!
User avatar
MSFHQ
User avatar
Joined: 17 Jul 2010
Last visit: 11 Jun 2023
Posts: 905
Own Kudos:
229
 [2]
Given Kudos: 2
Location: United States (NY)
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 905
Kudos: 229
 [2]
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 26 Nov 2019, 19:53
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Good GMAT and GPA from a most likely recognizable school. Solid EC's and work experience at known firms.

In at all the US schools, with BC and WUSTL being the easiest and Vandy being the more difficult (although I still think you are in there as well). UVA, last I checked, didn't allow business/finance majors into their MS Commerce program (https://www.commerce.virginia.edu/ms-co ... ligibility).

Go to school where you want to work. If it is Europe, do European schools. You have a good profile. Bocconi would look at you, although all the EU schools like higher GMAT and GPA's. They tend to be very score focused whereas US schools look for employability. The employment market for a non-EU citizen is probably as hard as it is for a non-US citizen in America - not easy.
avatar
dj54321
avatar
Joined: 26 Nov 2019
Last visit: 26 Nov 2019
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 26 Nov 2019, 20:26
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Ahh ok, I hadn't done much research into the UVA program yet, 1 less application to worry about anyway.

Thanks a bunch for the reply!
avatar
moike
avatar
Joined: 18 Dec 2018
Last visit: 03 May 2022
Posts: 11
Own Kudos:
8
 [1]
Given Kudos: 2
Location: United Kingdom
Schools: Oxford MFin "21 (A) Imperial MFin "21 (A) Warwick MFin "21 (A) LBS MFA "21 (A$)
GMAT 1: 720 Q48 V40
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V42
Schools: Oxford MFin "21 (A) Imperial MFin "21 (A) Warwick MFin "21 (A) LBS MFA "21 (A$)
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V42
Posts: 11
Kudos: 8
 [1]
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 15 Dec 2019, 00:24
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi all,

Hoping for an evaluation on my profile

Nationality: British
Choice Schools: Oxford Said, LBS, LSE, Imperial, Warwick
Course: MSc Finance / Financial Analysis / Financial Economics
GPA: 1st Class (UK) - Expected
GMAT: 740 (Q49,V42)
Work Experience: One internship with Tier 1 BB (MS, JPM, GS)
Undergrad: Top 10 UK
ECs: VP of Fin Club

How are my chances looking? Thanks
User avatar
MiMEssay
User avatar
Joined: 22 Sep 2013
Last visit: 25 Nov 2024
Posts: 1,810
Own Kudos:
417
 [1]
Given Kudos: 19
Concentration: Marketing, Entrepreneurship
GMAT 1: 690 Q49 V35
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 1: 690 Q49 V35
Posts: 1,810
Kudos: 417
 [1]
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 15 Dec 2019, 15:25
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
moike
Hi all,

Hoping for an evaluation on my profile

Nationality: British
Choice Schools: Oxford Said, LBS, LSE, Imperial, Warwick
Course: MSc Finance / Financial Analysis / Financial Economics
GPA: 1st Class (UK) - Expected
GMAT: 740 (Q49,V42)
Work Experience: One internship with Tier 1 BB (MS, JPM, GS)
Undergrad: Top 10 UK
ECs: VP of Fin Club

How are my chances looking? Thanks
Show more

Hey moike,
You have a fairly good profile - UK Schools are high on academics so the GPA and college rank work.
GMAT is within range for Oxford, LBS and LSE
This being said, you have 3 highly competitive schools on your list (Oxford,LBS,LSE) which have paper thin acceptance rates. Having a CFA, strong social volunteering experience, etc would have added more weight to your profile.Plus you will be competing with applicants with a wider experience in finance, so make sure to highlight all your finance related activities .
Imperial and Warwick are reachable with a strong application.
I would be able to help you out better (Gauge the selection chances more accurately) if I have more details about your profile.
Can you mail me your resume at support@mim-essay.com?
I know this sounds like a commercialized ID, but I personally read and reply to all the queries totally free of cost :)
Let me know !
User avatar
jaylu1217
User avatar
Joined: 23 Feb 2020
Last visit: 22 Apr 2024
Posts: 37
Own Kudos:
17
 [1]
Given Kudos: 11
Location: Taiwan
Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship
Schools: Other Schools
GMAT 1: 730 Q51 V38
GPA: 3.6
WE:Corporate Finance (Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals)
Schools: Other Schools
GMAT 1: 730 Q51 V38
Posts: 37
Kudos: 17
 [1]
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 23 Feb 2020, 01:17
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I am currently a fourth-year student studying Accounting in Taiwan. I'm thinking of applying for MS finance or fineng programs in the US may be next year or 2022.
I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for the schools I should be looking at?
I have a GPA of 3.6~3.7 and I scored 730 on my GMAT (Q51 V38)
Work experience wise I am currently an audit intern at KPMG and I have offers at all the Big 4's.
I'm looking at schools like MIT, NYU, Columbia, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UT Austin (open to more suggestions, kind of want to apply for schools on the east coast)
And I am also wondering if it matters a lot for me to stay an extra one or two years at the big 4 for work experience, will that make a huge impact on my application?
If I can I would like to apply as soon as possible! Does anyone have any advice as to how I could improve my application or schools I should look into?
User avatar
GyanOne
User avatar
Joined: 24 Jul 2011
Last visit: 16 Nov 2025
Posts: 3,222
Own Kudos:
1,690
 [2]
Given Kudos: 33
Status: World Rank #4 MBA Admissions Consultant
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 3,222
Kudos: 1,690
 [2]
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 27 Feb 2020, 23:38
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
jaylu1217
I am currently a fourth-year student studying Accounting in Taiwan. I'm thinking of applying for MS finance or fineng programs in the US may be next year or 2022.
I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for the schools I should be looking at?
I have a GPA of 3.6~3.7 and I scored 730 on my GMAT (Q51 V38)
Work experience wise I am currently an audit intern at KPMG and I have offers at all the Big 4's.
I'm looking at schools like MIT, NYU, Columbia, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UT Austin (open to more suggestions, kind of want to apply for schools on the east coast)
And I am also wondering if it matters a lot for me to stay an extra one or two years at the big 4 for work experience, will that make a huge impact on my application?
If I can I would like to apply as soon as possible! Does anyone have any advice as to how I could improve my application or schools I should look into?
Show more

Hi jaylu1217

Thanks for posting. Here is our assessment:
- Your GMAT and GPA are great, and you should be a decent fit with MS in Finance programs.
- You may not be the best fit with Fin Eng programs, and further work experience on the audit side may not be too relevant for that either. Some such programs may also require tech expertise in Python and R, and depending on your exposure/experience with these (we would guess it is not too much right now), you should select appropriately. For example, Berkeley has only a Master in Financial Engineering, while NYU has a Master in Global Finance (better) and an MFE (not so good).
User avatar
jaylu1217
User avatar
Joined: 23 Feb 2020
Last visit: 22 Apr 2024
Posts: 37
Own Kudos:
17
Given Kudos: 11
Location: Taiwan
Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship
Schools: Other Schools
GMAT 1: 730 Q51 V38
GPA: 3.6
WE:Corporate Finance (Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals)
Schools: Other Schools
GMAT 1: 730 Q51 V38
Posts: 37
Kudos: 17
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 28 Feb 2020, 08:00
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GyanOne
jaylu1217
I am currently a fourth-year student studying Accounting in Taiwan. I'm thinking of applying for MS finance or fineng programs in the US may be next year or 2022.
I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for the schools I should be looking at?
I have a GPA of 3.6~3.7 and I scored 730 on my GMAT (Q51 V38)
Work experience wise I am currently an audit intern at KPMG and I have offers at all the Big 4's.
I'm looking at schools like MIT, NYU, Columbia, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UT Austin (open to more suggestions, kind of want to apply for schools on the east coast)
And I am also wondering if it matters a lot for me to stay an extra one or two years at the big 4 for work experience, will that make a huge impact on my application?
If I can I would like to apply as soon as possible! Does anyone have any advice as to how I could improve my application or schools I should look into?

Hi jaylu1217

Thanks for posting. Here is our assessment:
- Your GMAT and GPA are great, and you should be a decent fit with MS in Finance programs.
- You may not be the best fit with Fin Eng programs, and further work experience on the audit side may not be too relevant for that either. Some such programs may also require tech expertise in Python and R, and depending on your exposure/experience with these (we would guess it is not too much right now), you should select appropriately. For example, Berkeley has only a Master in Financial Engineering, while NYU has a Master in Global Finance (better) and an MFE (not so good).
Show more





Thank you so much for your reply! For work experience, I thought about it and since I'm going to pursue my road down finance, I will instead start work at a venture capital in the future and reject my Big 4 auditing offers. I think I started looking into FinEng because I've been looking for MSF programs in the US and I couldn't find that much (I'm aiming for the big school names).I'm thinking of taking some online programming classes (from Coursera) to maybe improve my profile for FinEng programs. Do you think I have a chance for Columbia University's MSFE and UCLA MFE? If I do I will start taking the programming classes now! I will aim for MSF programs (still open to some school suggestions) but I will also apply to a few fineng programs for the big school names so I can do better at networking in the future. Thanks for your evaluation!
User avatar
MSFHQ
User avatar
Joined: 17 Jul 2010
Last visit: 11 Jun 2023
Posts: 905
Own Kudos:
229
 [2]
Given Kudos: 2
Location: United States (NY)
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 905
Kudos: 229
 [2]
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 28 Feb 2020, 19:08
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
You have good scores, but will need to beef up your math and programming abilities to really be a good fit for top MFE programs. If you have an offer from Big 4, I would suggest you take it and work for a bit. MFE programs place you as a quant which might not be where you want to go. With some good work experience and your scores, you could aim for an MBA.

With the point in the cycle we are in now, I usually always suggest working vs more schooling. Last thing you want to do is get graduate degree and enter a weak job market.

UT, Vanderbilt, WUSTL, MIT and USC are going to be your top branded MSF programs that is still your focus.
User avatar
jaylu1217
User avatar
Joined: 23 Feb 2020
Last visit: 22 Apr 2024
Posts: 37
Own Kudos:
17
Given Kudos: 11
Location: Taiwan
Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship
Schools: Other Schools
GMAT 1: 730 Q51 V38
GPA: 3.6
WE:Corporate Finance (Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals)
Schools: Other Schools
GMAT 1: 730 Q51 V38
Posts: 37
Kudos: 17
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 29 Feb 2020, 07:38
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MSFHQ
You have good scores, but will need to beef up your math and programming abilities to really be a good fit for top MFE programs. If you have an offer from Big 4, I would suggest you take it and work for a bit. MFE programs place you as a quant which might not be where you want to go. With some good work experience and your scores, you could aim for an MBA.

With the point in the cycle we are in now, I usually always suggest working vs more schooling. Last thing you want to do is get graduate degree and enter a weak job market.

UT, Vanderbilt, WUSTL, MIT and USC are going to be your top branded MSF programs that is still your focus.
Show more


Thank you for your recommendations! I will look into those programs! As for the Big 4 auditing offers, I was wondering if the work experience in audit would be better than another job at a venture capital? If I want to improve my application for MSF programs, which job is best suited for me? I recently talked with one of my admissions agent, and he says that MIT is impossible for me, is there anything I can do now to improve my chances at getting in the MIT MSF program?
User avatar
MiMEssay
User avatar
Joined: 22 Sep 2013
Last visit: 25 Nov 2024
Posts: 1,810
Own Kudos:
417
 [2]
Given Kudos: 19
Concentration: Marketing, Entrepreneurship
GMAT 1: 690 Q49 V35
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 1: 690 Q49 V35
Posts: 1,810
Kudos: 417
 [2]
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 03 Mar 2020, 10:17
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi jaylu1217,

I would like to say that you have a fairly good profile.
Precisely, your GPA is good and your GMAT score is quite impressive. Also, having the name of a Big 4, i.e., KPMG, associated to your profile is remarkable.
Contemplating on your GMAT score, a score of 730 is considered a fairly good score. More specifically, in response to the schools you plan to target like MIT, NYU, Columbia, UC Berkeley are very competitive with paper-thin acceptance rates. So, even with a good profile itself, you will be competing at level ground.
As you are targeting specialized masters (in finance), having a relevant work experience would inevitably add weightage to your profile and help your application stand out from your applicants. Since you are already working at KPMG, your profile already speaks of having a firm professional foundation.
Moreover, schools like MIT, NYU, Columbia, UC Berkeley consider work experience which you already have.
Apart from UCLA, and UT Austin, I am suggesting you a few more schools such as- Duke Fuqua
School of Business, Michigan Ross School of Business, Princeton and USC Marshall.
I suggest you apply in round 3 without waiting any further.
You can check our all-in-one service https://www.mim-essay.com/mim-all-in-one?gfc to know how we can help you with your applications, interviews, and scholarship.

If you have any other doubts do let me know, I’d be happy to schedule a call and discuss the same.

PS: the initial consulting call is absolutely free.

Hope this helped!
avatar
moike
avatar
Joined: 18 Dec 2018
Last visit: 03 May 2022
Posts: 11
Own Kudos:
8
Given Kudos: 2
Location: United Kingdom
Schools: Oxford MFin "21 (A) Imperial MFin "21 (A) Warwick MFin "21 (A) LBS MFA "21 (A$)
GMAT 1: 720 Q48 V40
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V42
Schools: Oxford MFin "21 (A) Imperial MFin "21 (A) Warwick MFin "21 (A) LBS MFA "21 (A$)
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V42
Posts: 11
Kudos: 8
MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here Updated on: 01 Oct 2020, 11:35
Originally posted by moike on 05 Mar 2020, 11:41.
Last edited by moike on 01 Oct 2020, 11:35, edited 1 time in total.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
<>
 1   2   3  ...  37