MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here

Hi guys,

I just entered my final year of engineering and would like to know my chances of getting admissions in a finance masters' program.

Target Schools (prefer to study in The UK):
LBS MFA
LSE Msc. Finance
Imperial Msc. Finance

Nationality: Indian
Background: Bachelors in Engineering with a Minor in Finance from BITS Pilani ( Tier 1 institute )
CGPA expected at graduation: 8.5/10
GMAT: 730 (Q51,V37)
Work-ex: Total 8 months
Summer Intern at leading Indian steel manufacturer
Big 4 Consulting Internship
Bulge bracket ( GS, JPMC, Morgan Stanley) Investment Banking Internship program
Leadership Positions: Coordinator for Department that manages the college tech-fest
Part of a 4-member Finance Committee that is part of the Placement Unit of the college

Extra-Curricular: Active member of the college Football Team ( won major tournament as well)
Post-study goals: Looking to enter IB and subsequently PE firms in London

I'm currently in the process of writing my application essay and thus would be really grateful of any critical evaluations of my profile.

Thanks in advance !

Hey Anirudh18,

Your grades and test scores are solid. Additionally, you have strong internship (particularly the IBD) showcasing a keen interest in Finance and Strategy which will be a positive for your application. Your chances look strong for the above mentioned programs, would add Oxford MFE to the mix as well since its a program will an established track record and the Oxford brand name will open many doors - plus work experience is not mandatory for them.
Will strongly advice that you also plan to write the CFA as that will help you immensely during the applications and even while recruiting with banks within London.
On a different note, is there any particular reason why the US MFE programs are not on your radar? They are good feeders in the quant and PM roles with large banks.

Hope that helps? Do reach out at info@thembaedge.com if you have any further queries.

All the best for the upcoming applications!

Hi Anirudh18

It is not clear if you are counting your internships in manufacturing and Big4 as your full-time work experience. If you have any internships in the related domain, you could draw upon those for motivation to study finance further.

Focus on schools that will give you a chance even with 0 work experience in related field (finance). Such schools tend to be more focused on academic orientation. LSE is one such school. Schools like LBS will prefer seeing finance heavy internships or some work experience. Getting into lower tier schools may not get you the optimum outcome, but definitely reach out to the schools and alumni to understand you options well before you apply.

I believe that graduating from a UK institution would place you in a stronger position for transitioning into consulting and/or eventually IB. The pipeline from LSE and LBS into entry-level roles at top-tier consulting firms after masters is well established. At this stage, your focus should be on writing stellar SOPs and obtaining outstanding recommendations to increase your chances of success. My applicants who recently successfully converted their offers from LSE had actively reached out to professors and engaged in discussions to gain meaningful insights about the program and courses. Demonstrating enthusiasm to truly understand the academic environment at LSE can greatly contribute to your success.

One aspect I like about LSE is its strong academic focus throughout the program. Your previous lack of professional experience in Finance may not play a significant role in the evaluation of your profile but your motivation for the program will. Reflecting deeply on your motivation to pursue finance at LSE and providing well-substantiated examples and projects from your past that underscore your interest in the subject will enhance your chances of securing an admission offer.

For MSc Finance applications, I advise you to address the following points in your application to demonstrate a strong motivation for the program:

Academic focus: Aim for a decent GPA and strive for a high GMAT score. Highlight any other academic accolades, scholarships, or recognitions you have received.

Proof of enthusiasm and motivation for the subject: Provide context regarding your passion for finance, starting from an early stage, and supplement your interest with examples of relevant courses, internships, or projects you have undertaken.

Understanding, experience, and appreciation of the subject through real-life applications and projects: Utilize insights from your internships, jobs, or other finance-related projects. Discuss specific projects or finance-related topics that have been pivotal in motivating you to further explore the subject.

Super curricular activities: Share details about supplementary books, articles, research papers, or newspapers you have read. Highlight any relevant podcasts you listen to and explain how these activities support and complement your interest in the subject.

I strongly advise you to cover these points thoroughly in your SOPs (specifically for LSE).

Having a variety of extracurricular activities and language skills (if you do) is also advantageous. Discuss how these experiences and skills can contribute to your future as a business leader.

Here are a few other points to keep in mind:

1.Demonstrate originality and a thoughtful approach in your application.
2.Show active engagement with the target school and potential recruiters to learn about the post-MSc prospects, showcasing your conscientiousness.

Best wishes

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Nationality: American citizen
Undergrad Information: BCom (Honours) with a major in Finance and Investments from Christ University.
GRE: (Q:156&V:150)
Work experience and leadership: Audit Big 4 (2years), internship at a wealth management firm. Significant work ex from M&A audit. Founder of a cultural team at university, Led the international student affairs team, led a small project at work.
Community and others: community service at healthcare centers.
Post Master goals: IB or M&A and MBA after working
Anything else?: strong extracurriculars with significant milestones.

Program : MS Finance
Universities targeted: Emory, University of Minnesota, UCSD, Colorado University, Brandeis and Babson.
Which universities can i consider applying to?

Posted from my mobile device

For an MS Finance, I think you are at a rather sweet spot
If you could push your GRE score higher however, you would be able to go for top names, including the top ranked schools. Some schools may agree to consider your score even just after your application submission as well; so don't think you don't have enough time.

For whatever reason however, if you don't want to reattempt your GRE, good to apply to these schools; With a compelling story, you may get good scholarships as well. Every year we help several candidates in the MS Fin & MiM courses as well. Feel free to ask for a FREE profile assessment

Hope that helps.

Hello,

I am 19 years old and currently a penultime year Econometrics and Operations Research student at the Erasmus University Rotterda. I wish to pursue a MF degree in the August 2024 intake. Since I still have some months until applications start, I wanted to know if I should apply this year or take a gap year to further strengthen my profile. I am currently targeting the following master: MIT, LBS. HEC, Oxford, LSE and Bocconi (and maybe NOVA and RSM as safe options). Thank you a lot!!

Grades
1) 7.75/10.0 -- High 2:1 (only 6/120 people got first class honours in my year) with the following relevant courses: Econometrics, Analysis, Finance, Statistics, Programming, Corporate Finance, Accounting, and major in Quant Finance.
2) GMAT -- Expected to take in September
3) Exchange Semester -- University of Buenos Aires. Economical Sciences Faculty

Extracurriculars
1) Internship in Neuroscience Institute of Alicante -- Quantitative Research Study Assistant - Behavior of Organisms
2) Asset Manager Student Association Rotterdam -- Quantitative Finance Analyst
3) B&R Investment Group -- Equity Research Analyst and Funding Member of Plutus Investment Fund
4) Currently I am a Exam Preparation Tutor at AthenaStudies
5) Won the 2019 and 2020 Copa Federación Valencian Community teams tournament
6) Tennis player since I am 6 years old, played internationally

Languages: Spanish (native), German (native), English (fluent), French (intermediate), Italian (basic)
Technical Skills: Java, MATLAB, AIMMS, R, Microsoft Office Suit (PowerPoint, Excel, Word)
Certificates: Investment Banking Virtual Program by J.P. Morgan, Bloomberg Market Concepts
Post Master Goal: Investment Banking.

Your overall profile is very strong for MS Fin in most of the schools you have listed. MIT will however look seriously at your GMAT score too, esp quant. With that and a compelling story aligning your past, with the MS Fin, and your future goals, I am absolutely confident you are in a very strong position to apply now; waiting one more year may not strengthen your profile.

Every year we help candidates in the MS Fin & MiM programs. Feel free to ask to set up a FREE, 1-to-1, profile assessment

Hope that helps.

Hello,

Thank you for the extensive review. This helped a lot. No, I do not have any finance related internships. However, I am quite active in the Investmnet and Asset Manager Student Associations. For the motivation letter, I was thinking of writing something regarding that I am a first generation student (and first generation high school student as well). Is that helpful for the story about my past? I would very welcome a free 1-to-1 assessment as well!

Thank you.

Hi LucaLeimbeck
Glad it helped. Please visit the website below my name, and submit your details on the contact page. Once we have your details, will revert to you ASAP

Hello LucaLeimbeck,

Thanks for writing in.

You have a pretty strong profile; so, it completely depends on what more you intend to do in order to strengthen your profile. Yes, considering you are targetting top-notch schools, you must target a high score on the GMAT; so, the question is really what more?

Practically, you seem to be ready to apply as soon as you have your desired score; explaining the technicalities around your GPA in your application will be important.

All the best!

Hi guys,

I am in my last year of undergraduate studies and planning to apply for MS Finance this fall.
Nationality: Russian
Undergrad information: Regional school but still Top 30 in the country, majored in Management.
GPA: around 3.76/4
Still preparing for GMAT
No international experience due to Covid and political reasons
Extracurriculars:
1) volunteer at NGO, helping kids with homework
2) teach English as a second language
3) volunteer at financial literacy club that organises educational events for kids
Community: started my own little organisation that helps high-schoolers decide on a career path
Work experience: 3-week internship in finance department of a small company (under 30 people) and irrelevant here internship in marketing. I might find another internship in the following months
Post-masters goals: first-choice would be finding a job in real estate private equity, second-choice - wealth/asset management or consulting

I’m worried that I don’t have enough “finance” experience since I just decided on my career goals this spring

Schools I’m looking at:
Vanderbilt, Olin, Simon, Gouizetta, Duke, Marshall, Mccombs, UIUC, Yale SOM, MIT (I know that’s a reach)

I would really appreciate any thoughts on my profile! Thanks in advance!

Posted from my mobile device

Hi Lanaaaa18

Your profile is impressive specifically your academics. However, if you are looking for a career in finance, an internship can help you stand out from the crowd as it helps you reflect on real-world applications you have experienced and how that may have fueled your interest in exploring the topic further. Given the lack of internship, you should look at schools that are more academically oriented with paced out programs (longer programs and ones with the opportunity to intern). Also, at a school like Vanderbilt and other fast paced programs in the USA, there is more emphasis on hands-on experience (thus valuing your internships) than some of the other academically focused programs such as LSE or HEC Paris (which you are not considering) where you can also leverage the opportunity to intern along with the course.

For MSc Finance applications, I advise you to address the following points in your application to demonstrate a strong motivation for the program:

Academic focus: Aim for a high GMAT score. Highlight any other academic accolades, scholarships, or recognitions you have received.

Proof of enthusiasm and motivation for the subject: Provide context regarding your passion for finance, starting from an early stage, and supplement your interest with examples of relevant courses, internships, or projects you have undertaken.

Understanding, experience, and appreciation of the subject through real-life applications and projects: Utilize insights from your internships, jobs, or other finance-related projects. Discuss specific projects or finance-related topics that have been pivotal in motivating you to further explore the subject.

Super curricular activities: Share details about supplementary books, articles, research papers, or newspapers you have read. Highlight any relevant podcasts you listen to and explain how these activities support and complement your interest in the subject.

I strongly advise you to cover these points thoroughly in your essays, SOPs or interviews.

Additionally, having a variety of extracurricular activities and language skills is advantageous. Discuss how these experiences and skills can contribute to your future as a business leader.

Here are a few other points to keep in mind:

1.Demonstrate originality and a thoughtful approach in your application.
2.Show active engagement with the target school and potential recruiters to learn about the post-MFin prospects, showcasing your conscientiousness. My applicants who recently successfully converted their offers from LSE (that has very low selection rate) had actively reached out to professors and engaged in discussions to gain meaningful insights about the program and courses. Demonstrating enthusiasm to truly understand the academic environment at LSE and other schools can greatly contribute to your success.

As for your GMAT, you should focus on improving your verbal performance but try to maintain your quantitative score. Regardless, with a strong application expressing your motivation for the master's program, you should be accepted to the schools of your choice with a scholarship.

Best wishes

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

I would like to get my chances rated at Said Business School and LSE. I am a student in my last year of undergrad and I am planning on applying for MFin programs 2024 fall intake in the UK.

Background and nationality:- Bachelors in Accounting and finance undergraduate, Indian
Gpa:- 9.30/10.00 (first and second year)
[*]GMAT/GRE:- I will give GMAT in September
[*]Work experience and leadership:- held leadership roles like being vice president of a college club, I was also very active in my second year as HOD for three clubs and total work experience is about 1.5 years (purely internships only)
[*]I am also an alumni of University of Oxford, I was a visiting scholar at St. Catherines College, awarded the prestigious Betty and Donald Keating Scholarship by St Catherines (one of the two candidates selected from all over India) , I am also submitting a project for COP 28 and my last essay which I wrote for my last tutorial (subject: fintech) in Oxford is in talks to get published @TheConversation
[*]Post Master goals:- good good amount of work experience in top companies (I am interested in sales and trading and equity research personally)
Target schools:- Said Business School, LBS, LSE, Kings College London, Imperial College.

Posted from my mobile device

I'm a fifth-year student (21 years old) doing an M.Sc in Economics at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT KGP, 6th rank in my home country of India). In my economics study, I took several finance-related courses. I'm considering applying to top MSF programs in the United States. While my profile is pretty standard when compared to other applications, I am still interested in knowing my possibilities at universities with my current profile, so any assistance is greatly welcomed.

GRE Score: 316 (150V, 166Q, AWA-3.5)
TOEFL score is 93.
GPA: 3.48/4.0 (8.2/10.0 on an Indian scale)
Secondary Education-99.2%.
1. A two-month summer internship in a modest financial services company.
2. Some projects on finance and online certifications
3. Currently in the final year Thesis on Finance under the supervision of the Finance Department Head at IIT KGP.

I require the most excellent possible placement following my graduation from university. Please indicate whether or not the universities listed below have a high percentage of placement.
I intend to apply for MS finance programs at the following universities:
Texas Austin
The University of Illinois Chicago, urbana champaign
Washington st Louis
Vanderbilt
Boston questrom
USC Marshall
What are my chances at the universities listed above? Please recommend two more universities based on my qualifications.
After graduation, I only need a solid job paying between 70,000 and 80,000 dollars.

I'm a engineering school student on financial engineering (maths, finance, computer science). And my school is top 10 in France. I will graduate in 2024 and looking to work in finance more than financial engineering (M&A instead of quantitative researcher etc). So I'm interested in few MiF in Europe : ESCP, HEC, ESSEC, EDHEC, STGallen and LSB. I am interested in knowing my possibilities at universities with my current profile, so any assistance is greatly welcomed. Also, if you have other suggestions for MiF in Europe it will be nice to tell me!

Academic:
- gmat : target 700 - 720 (today I'm around Q50 and V35)
- GPA : ~3 (12.8/20) the two last year, can be explained by personal problems, but close to 4 the 2 previous one (15.1/20)
- TOEIC 980/990 but I can take TOEFL if needed

experience:
- Natixis CIB, mostly software but close to finance (3 months)
- VP of a 6 figures student run company (a little consulting firm in our uni) (volutary job during 15 months)
- Maths Institute, research on IA (6 weeks)

Extra:
- Lot of sports and achievements in it (france championship in volley, foot during 10 years as a captain, gym, ...)

I'm going to study at KTH in Sweden for 4 months (one of the most renowned uni there) and after that I will have to complete a 6 months internship before integrating my MiF in order to be graduated.

I would like to know what are my chances to integrate the best MiF and on what I have to work in order to accomplish that. Thank you very much!

Hello everyone! I’m starting my last year of my undergraduate degree and I’m going to start applying to MSc Finance across Europe in the following months. I’m targeting top European schools such as Imperial, LSE, Oxford, Bocconi, Warwick, IE, etc.

Quick profile:

Double bachelors degree (5 years) in Law and Management in a top Portuguese university with an average grade so far of 16.8/20 in Law and 17.3/20 in Management. Had a medium amount of Mathematics and Statistics, as well as some light Econometrics and 2 big finance courses (Financial Markets and Corporate Finance). I’ve had excellent grades in all of them, as well in the the vast majority of the classes I took so far. I’ve obtained a merit scholarship for the 4 years I took so far, thanks to being among the top students of the class each year.
I did an exchange semester at Copenhagen Business School and got very good grades there as well.
I have just taken the GMAT and got a 750 unofficial score (waiting on my official score, probably coming in 1 week or so).
I did a summer internship at a Big 4 consulting firm this year, in the Corporate Tax department. I’ve also played a team sport since I was 6 years old and have won various trophies from very young to senior levels. I’ve played in Portugal and a bit in Denmark when I was in exchange there.
I’ve been part of a pro bono student consulting association in my uni, part of the student association, and part of a financial association of my uni writing articles on financial topics to be read by the students and faculty.

Do you guys think I have a chance at any of the top unis in Europe? I’m afraid they won’t like the fact that I do not come from a highly quantitative course such as Econ or Maths, that I come from a Portuguese uni (even if one of the best in the country), or that my only 1 month of internship isn’t enough.
Thanks a lot!

Posted from my mobile device

PBVF - interesting profile. Quick q before sharing feedback: what are your motivations for an MiF, and your goals (i.e. target roles) post the Masters in Finance?

Regards,
Arvind
HEC Paris MBA alum, Admissions interviewer
W:https://admitstreet.com| E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com

Thank you for your answer!
A MSc Finance would be a valuable step toward achieving my career goal of working in Investment Banking, more specifically in a function related with mergers and acquisitions.
The programme would provide me with a solid foundation in the domains of corporate finance, derivatives, econometrics, investment and portfolio management, and mathematics (among others). The quantitative nature of the modules it offers would be especially highly valuable, as reaching my career goal will require strong analytical competences. Coming from a background of management (not as quantitative as Econ or finance) and law, I could use the quantitative tools and signal it would send to my future professional recruiters.
Hope that answers your question!