Keeping in the same vein as in last year, I wanted to start a 2015 Masters in Finance Q&A thread. Any applicants interested and applying to programs this cycle, post here. I will monitor and answer anything I can. Always happy to help and so pumped to see the degree continue to gain interest among applicants.

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MSF 2015

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Mrbanker

Joined: 28 Mar 2015

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28 Mar 2015, 17:15

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hi sir,

My name is Sudershan ,having work exp of 4 years as Assistant Manager in Commercial Bank in india,I am interested in pursuing MSF Jan 2016 Batches,which are the good universities available in US ,I have GPA of 3.1 in Chemical Engineering from Mumbai .I have budget of $45K -50K.Kindly suggest me some universites as per my requirement .

MSFHQ

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29 Mar 2015, 09:24

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Krithikayedavalli

Hello Guys i am krithika. I need some suggestion regarding the MSF program. I am doing my MBA in finance from a normal university in the united states but the placement for international students is terrible here. I will be completing my graduation in the end of December and currently have a GPA of 3.7 and i am pretty sure i can graduate with a 3.5+. As you guys might be aware of the sponsorship and all that stuff for internationals i am not sure if i could land a good job with my MBA alone. So i have decided to take the GMAT and scored a 680(650 two years ago). I am sure i can break into the 700's with proper preparation. So it would be really helpful for me if you guys can share your suggestions about how well i am place for an admission into the top 10 programs. My first question is will my MBA in finance act against my MSF chances or will it help in any way? My only Criteria for going for a second masters is to land a good job in the IB sector. Thanks!!!

I'd advise to focus less on investment banking and more on say valuation, corporate banking, F500 roles, treasury, anything sort of related to banking. Your goal should be to get sponsorship, not land IBD right off the bat. It is very hard to break into banking for domestic students, let along those that require sponsorship.

As for the MSF, really depends. Most US programs tend to look for fresh graduates. An MBA is going to be something you'll have to really explain in the essay/interview. I'd consider an MSF as a last ditch effort with low odds of landing you into an IBD role. If you do decide to pursue an MSF, look at programs with banking placements. Think Vanderbilt, UTAustin, Boston College, Villanova, etc. Also consider the fact that you might need to take your education back to your home country. Choose a school that is regarded back home as well.

Miiaa

Joined: 19 Oct 2015

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20 Oct 2015, 06:06

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Hi,
I am from India and want to apply for MS in Finance for fall 2016.
I have 7.5 years of work ex in Financial Planning and Analysis most of them in IT firms.
I have already done an MBA with 8.08 CGPA out of 10 from a tier 3 college in India.
I have cleared CFA level 2 and have been trying very hard to get into core finance related profiles like equity research, valuations.
I appeared for GRE this Saturday and got the score as V-153 and Q-161. As the score wasn't as per what I had expected, I wanted to reappear for GRE. But it being already late for fall-2016 application, I have decided to take risk with this score.
Could someone please let me know how good are my chances of getting into a good college for MSF. Also which colleges should I apply to?

saidarsh3894

Joined: 25 Oct 2015

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25 Oct 2015, 08:28

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HI,
I am a 4th year engg student from India.I want to pursue my MSF or MFin(i have a strong quant background) in US as i want to work in the finance field(Hopefully investment banking).My main concern is the job prospects for an international student after completing the MSF course .I have read that its very difficult for an international student to get sponsorship and also a work visa.
My profile -
GPA-3.2
GRE-313 (Verbal-156 quant - 157)
TOEFL-108
Had only a month of internship experience .
I have a strong proficiency in english and also have good communication skills(Read that to land a job you need to have these two qualities ALSO)
I am planning on applying to Boston college , Northeastern , Olin , Simon Rochester(Hope i get in this as i have a family living in rochester )
What are my chances of getting into these programs and also can you suggest a few more colleges ?
Please help .
Thank you in advance.

jwang219

Joined: 15 Sep 2015

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16 Nov 2015, 11:02

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Hi,
I am an international student graduated in May, 2015.
Finance Major
With 3.64/4 GPA and 730 GMAT
I want apply for the top MSF program in US, I will apply for Boston College for sure.
If location does not matter, can you please help me select another 7 university/college besides BC with excellent MSF program?
Thanks in advance.

MSFHQ

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17 Nov 2015, 05:21

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Miiaa

Honestly, with this much experience it is going to be hard to find a US MSF program that you could do. Rochester in NYC might be an option. Baruch. Maybe George Washington in DC. Most of the other programs are really for people with a year or less work experience. Have you looked into doing another type of masters? One from a good US school, but not in business?

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17 Nov 2015, 05:27

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saidarsh3894

I think Boston and WUSTL will be tough, but Northeastern and Rochester should be good. 3.2 GPA will hurt you some, as well as not having work experience. Johns Hopkins, maybe Ohio State, Arizona State, Bentley/Brandies, UIUC. All schools I think would give you a good chance.

And yes, it is hard for internationals to land a FT job in the US. Very hard. Be prepared for this if you end up coming to study.

hannah811001

Joined: 26 Oct 2015

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Schools: MIT MFin"17 (S)

GMAT 1: 740 Q51 V39 Verified score

Schools: MIT MFin"17 (S)

GMAT 1: 740 Q51 V39 Verified score

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19 Nov 2015, 02:33

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Hi, MSFHQ
could you help evaluate my chance to get into these schools?

MIT
BC
LSE (MSc in Finance&Private Equity
UT Austin
Claremont
WULST
Or would you recommend some other good school based on my profile?

Nationality：Taiwan
Gender: female
Undergradaute: Chengchi Uni(Taiwan) (GPA:3.8/4.0)
UG major : international business(BA)
Work experience: 1yr (till now) as research assistant in Central Bank of Taiwan
other experience : led English camps for rural students/ keep taking care of children of AIDS patients
GMAT: 740 (Q:51, V:39)

appreciated for you help : )

MSFHQ

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23 Nov 2015, 21:19

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hannah811001

Hmmm. Female is good. Not sure if you have the math for MIT (could be wrong, apologies if so). Work experience is good, central bank is nice as well. GMAT is great, although I would have liked a better verbal. English isn't your first language so it is understandable. Just make sure your essays are good and you'll be fine.

MIT - good shot
BC - IN
LSE (MSc in Finance&Private Equity - IN
UT Austin - IN
Claremont - IN (with scholarship)
WULST - IN

hannah811001

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Schools: MIT MFin"17 (S)

GMAT 1: 740 Q51 V39 Verified score

Schools: MIT MFin"17 (S)

GMAT 1: 740 Q51 V39 Verified score

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23 Nov 2015, 23:16

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MSFHQ

hannah811001

Dear MSFHQ

Thanks for your evaluation!
I studied statistic , calculus, economic-> macroeconomic , international finance, and got pretty high scores.
Are those courses representing math ability? If not, what can I do or gain to make MIT more possible?

btw
I benefit a lot from your website when deciding schools, thanks you for doing so much for us:)

LebK

Joined: 26 Nov 2015

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Updated on: 07 Dec 2015, 04:47

Originally posted by LebK on 26 Nov 2015, 05:33.
Last edited by LebK on 07 Dec 2015, 04:47, edited 1 time in total.

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Hello,
I'm actually new here as im planning to pursue my MFin as of next year in the US.

My profile is as follows :

Undergrad : Banking and Finance in one of the best Universities in the MEA. (GPA : 3.4)
GRE : 158Q , 141V
Toefl : still pending

Target universities : Villanova , Boston College , George Washington U, John Hopkins, University of Maryland , Bentley University, University of Delaware, Northeastern University.

What are my chances and evaluation concerning my stats and would you suggest retaking GRE even if i scored high in Toefl to recompensate my low Verbal score?
Any other universities suggestion?

Thanks a lot!

NordicN

Joined: 29 Nov 2015

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GMAT 1: 720 Q45 V44 Verified score

GMAT 2: 720 Q49 V39 Verified score

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29 Nov 2015, 07:46

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Hey MSFHQ,

I should finish my bachelor degree this academic year and I was wondering what are the best schools in the states for IB?

For the east coast probably Villanova, Vanderbilt, WUSTL and MIT?

How about west coast? USC and McKennan?

Also what do you think about my chances for those schools? Plus in Europe Oxbridge, LSE, HEC and Warwick as a back up.

Profile:
25 years (26 next year!)
Overall GPA: 4,38/5,00 (I was told 4 equals 3,5 so I guess I would be right below 3,7)
Major: Management and marketing.
Minor: Accounting and finance GPA 4,75/5,00
GMAT: Haven't done it yet, but aiming for 700+
Internships: One small business marketing summer internship and one small business accounting summer internship
EC: One summer helped at children's home, hoping to do another next summer. Aiming for national bodybuilding competition

Also did 3 semester abroad (Mainland China, Thailand and Hong Kong).

Do you think my age is a problem for the msc programs? I spent couple years working at constructions after high school.

maverick4finder

Joined: 30 Nov 2015

Last visit: 14 May 2016

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30 Nov 2015, 00:37

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Hey MSFHQ
Glad to be here.My profile is as follows:
Bachelors in Science from BITS Pilani, India
GRE-304(Q 157 V 147), due to medical conditions
GPA- 3.4, US equivalent
WE: 3 months Internship( all relevant), one at wealth management firm and one at a government firm
Research : 2 Papers in review, still in pipeline to be published in reputed journals
Non Profit Social Startup and volunteer experience for more than 2 years.Active in Sports,have a bunch of certificates.
Courses done from coursera in accounting, corporate finance , passed with distinction( I dont know if that counts)
Aim is to land in corporate advisory, valuation and treasury roles post graduation.
Please evaluate my chances at
WUSTL C&I track
BC
Villanova
Rochester
Ohio
Northeastern
Should I retake the GRE? , its only a matter of time before the deadline passes, since I'm recovering from medical conditions.

samruddhiskaulapure

Joined: 02 Dec 2015

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02 Dec 2015, 09:25

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Hey!

I am samruddhi from india. Right now I am pursuing BE in electronics and telecommunication, last year. My cgpa till date is 8.25. My remaining profile is as follows:
Gre:321 awa:4 toefl:105
I really wish to pursue a MSF degree, preferably in US. Can you please suggest some universities? I know, I dont have as amazing profiles as all these people here, but I really want to take up finance.

Your help will really be appreciated.
Thank you.
Regards,
Samruddhi

Steven1992

Joined: 02 Dec 2015

Last visit: 20 Mar 2016

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02 Dec 2015, 12:16

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Hi,

I'm wondering what my chances of getting into the following schools would be for the MSF program, as well as getting into equity research or IB post graduation. I graduated with a 3.75 gpa from a mid tier university out west. I have 2 years experience in equity analysis at a small firm. I take the gmat this month, but based on practice exams, expect to be around 640. I have also passed the Cfa level 1 exam.
MSF schools being considered:
Villanova, vandy, Boston college, WUSTL, Johns Hopkins. Any others?

Thanks for your help.

frank52

Joined: 29 Nov 2015

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02 Dec 2015, 16:59

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Hello Sir
A currently Chinese student study double major at Accounting and Finance in Tippie Business School at University of Iowa. I want to apply for MSF program.
My overall GPA as 3.10
GMAT is 710 (Q50,V36).
3-month intern in Standard Chartered Bank
1-month intern in a public company financial department
3-month intern in a hedge fund
Could you pls evaluate my chance of getting in school like Tulane, Case Western, JHU? And can you give me some other advice? Thank you so much!

mattkuo

Joined: 03 Dec 2015

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03 Dec 2015, 09:46

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Hi, MSFHQ
I am trying to apply for: MIT,UT-Austin,Rochester,LSE,WULST,JHU.. etc
UG major: Business Administration, minor in Accounting, also got good scores on several finance-related courses such as fixed income analyzing.

I was an intern in a commercial bank Chinatrust, and now work as an ARM in the same bank. (Participated in a M&A project)
I am a co-funder of a social enterprise
other experience : nice outcome in several commercial competitions,

GMAT: 710

Thank u for your help.

saidarsh3894

Joined: 25 Oct 2015

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19 Dec 2015, 11:58

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MSFHQ,
I wanted to know about the Villanova MSF, Does it start in spring(I am doing my undergrad that gets over on July 2016) ? Also how is Fordham MSF in terms of placements?
Right now I have applied to the following colleges-
Olin Business School
Boston College
Simon Business School
Fisher College of Business
UIUC
Vanderbilt
I plan on applying to two more colleges ,which ones do you recommend with Placements in mind?
My profile -
Indian B.Tech student
GPA-3.4
GRE-313 (Verbal-156 quant - 157)
TOEFL-108
Had only a month of internship experience(But in my core field) .
I have a strong proficiency in english and also have good communication skills.
Thank You .

MSFHQ

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27 Dec 2015, 08:45

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hannah811001

MSFHQ

hannah811001

Glad I could help. Stats and Calc are good, but MIT requires specific levels of math. Check their site or talk to an admin about the latest requirements. If you don't met these requirements you can usually take them before classes start. Find a local university to take them or I do believe MIT has a math bootcamp of sorts.

saidarsh3894

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GRE 1: Q157 V156 Verified score

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21 Jan 2016, 14:53

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MSFHQ ,
I have just received an interview invite from WUSTL for their MSF program, So I would like to know whether the invites are given to all the applicants ? and also what are the possible question asked in the interview?
Please as soon as possible
Thank You