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adityagupta88
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Joined: 02 Jul 2013
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Concentration: Finance
GMAT 1: 630 Q49 V28
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MSF profile evaluation and school suggestion 31 Jan 2015, 08:50
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Hi Guys,

I wish to apply for MSF for Fall 2015 admissions.

My profile is:
Age: 26
Nationality: Indian
Academics:
a. GMAT 650
b. Passed CFA Level 2,
c. 60.44% in Bachelors of Engineering (Electronics) from Mumbai University. (My degree says pass class because I failed in one subject in 7th Semester, and Mumbai University has a weird rule that if you fail in any one subject in final year, then you will be given a pass class degree irrespective of your aggregate score).
d. 10th - 87.8%, 12th - 84%
e. Have 6 certifications from NSE (National Stock Exchange) for various modules

Work Experience:
a. Working with a financial services firm since 1 year as an investment advisor.
b. Worked for Infosys for 3 years 4 months in a technical role (not related to finance at all)
c. Total work ex: 52 months (12 months relevant).

I gave my GMAT today, I know I am late for few colleges. Kindly suggest schools for me where I can apply and have a decent chance and also colleges where I might be at the borderline.

Thank you
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sterling19
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MSF profile evaluation and school suggestion 31 Jan 2015, 13:36
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It's very difficult to make any recommendations without knowing what your current and post-MSF career goals are. Why do you want a Masters in Finance? Where do you want to work/study? What kind of jobs are you hoping to find after the program (e.g., investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, sales and trading, risk management, etc.)? Without answers to these questions, you will not be able to write a compelling essay or application.

With over 4 years of work experience, I'm not convinced a MSF is going to help you. You are better off finishing your CFA and networking. Spend time thinking about what you really want to do with your career. If you are still interested in applying to MSF programs next year, then go for it.
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adityagupta88
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Joined: 02 Jul 2013
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Concentration: Finance
GMAT 1: 630 Q49 V28
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MSF profile evaluation and school suggestion 01 Feb 2015, 05:37
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sterling19
It's very difficult to make any recommendations without knowing what your current and post-MSF career goals are. Why do you want a Masters in Finance? Where do you want to work/study? What kind of jobs are you hoping to find after the program (e.g., investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, sales and trading, risk management, etc.)? Without answers to these questions, you will not be able to write a compelling essay or application.

With over 4 years of work experience, I'm not convinced a MSF is going to help you. You are better off finishing your CFA and networking. Spend time thinking about what you really want to do with your career. If you are still interested in applying to MSF programs next year, then go for it.
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I am interested in corporate finance / asset management. I am open to study and work in USA/ Canada/ Singapore. Honestly, I am a bit confused between Masters in Finance and MBA. I prefer Masters in Fin over MBA because MBA is little expensive as compared to MSF. Also, with my current GMAT score (i.e 650), I dont know whether I will get a good bschool or not (even for MSF I have the same concern). Also, how much will my CFA Level 2 matter when any college considers my application. Does it compensate for my low GMAT score?

Hope the above details help you to guide me. Thanks a lot in advance. :)
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sterling19
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MSF profile evaluation and school suggestion 01 Feb 2015, 06:56
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The major difference between the MSF and MBA is the curriculum. MBA curriculum will have some finance, but will also cover marketing, operations, management and organizational leadership, decision-making with data, etc. All of the MSF programs that I've seen heavily overlap the CFA curriculum, so you would be learning a lot of material that you probably already know (e.g., financial statement analysis, economics, accounting principles, derivatives, equity and fixed income products, etc.)

I'm not familiar with MSF/MBA programs in Canada or Singapore, but I do recommend that you avoid part-time or online programs, as these programs often lack on-campus recruiting, which is the best chance of securing a great job after graduation. Your decision would be a lot easier if you focused on what country you would be able to or want to live and work in for the next 1-2 years. From there, it would be easier to find the right program.

Will having CFA level 2 compensate for your GMAT score? No. Will it help your overall application? Yes, but keep in mind that most MSF applicants have passed one or more levels of the CFA program. In order of importance, your GMAT score is second, GPA is third, and CFA progress is fourth. The most important part of your application is going to be your "story", which will come out in the essay and interview (if the program requires one). Why did you leave your role at Infosys to become a financial advisor? Why do you want/need a Master's degree and why do you want/need it from this particular program? If you have a great "story", that will make up for the lower GMAT score.

If you're certain about the MSF, I would check out this page: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/comprehensive-us-msf-ranking.
Focus on the Tier 1A and 1B programs. The rest are not a good return on your investment.

Wherever you decide to go, I wouldn't apply this year. Most of the deadlines have already passed and you need time to craft your story, get strong letters of recommendation, etc. If you're up for it, give the GMAT once last shot. Just focus on verbal and aim for a 680+. Getting into a sport or community service would really help too. These programs aren't looking for geniuses with top GPA's and 780+ GMAT scores. They want smart, interesting, well-rounded applicants.

Best of luck to you.
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MSF profile evaluation and school suggestion 01 Feb 2015, 08:44
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adityagupta88
sterling19
It's very difficult to make any recommendations without knowing what your current and post-MSF career goals are. Why do you want a Masters in Finance? Where do you want to work/study? What kind of jobs are you hoping to find after the program (e.g., investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, sales and trading, risk management, etc.)? Without answers to these questions, you will not be able to write a compelling essay or application.

With over 4 years of work experience, I'm not convinced a MSF is going to help you. You are better off finishing your CFA and networking. Spend time thinking about what you really want to do with your career. If you are still interested in applying to MSF programs next year, then go for it.



I am interested in corporate finance / asset management. I am open to study and work in USA/ Canada/ Singapore. Honestly, I am a bit confused between Masters in Finance and MBA. I prefer Masters in Fin over MBA because MBA is little expensive as compared to MSF. Also, with my current GMAT score (i.e 650), I dont know whether I will get a good bschool or not (even for MSF I have the same concern). Also, how much will my CFA Level 2 matter when any college considers my application. Does it compensate for my low GMAT score?

Hope the above details help you to guide me. Thanks a lot in advance. :)
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The MSF is a specialized graduate degree entirely in finance. It differs from the MBA in many ways. MSF students tend to be junior or early in their career. They tend to have a finance background and only want to work in finance post grad. MSF programs delve into finance more than most MBA programs owing to the fact that MSF admits generally already all have a finance/economics base.

Programs are regional with the exception of MIT. Claremont for Cali, UIUC or Chicago, UTAustin for Houston/Dallas, etc. Ranking these programs is impossible and I haven't seen a ranking that is really accurate.

650 with CFA L1 (or 2 done) and work experience, you'll get into a handful of programs in the US. The issue is right now it is difficult for international students to get a job. I usually tell students to cast a wide net as you need to focus primarily on getting sponsorship and then you can try for that ideal job. Because of this I usually tell international students to pick the MSF program that provides the best shot in the US as well as back in your home country. Last thing you want to do is go to a US program that is unknown back home (in case you need to return home and find work).

This is all really moot though as you're coming in pretty late for this years MSF cycle. I'd keep working, maybe try and get that GMAT up to say 700 and then hit the application cycle early next year.
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adityagupta88
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Joined: 02 Jul 2013
Last visit: 01 Jun 2015
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 2
Concentration: Finance
GMAT 1: 630 Q49 V28
GMAT 2: 650 Q48 V30
Products:
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GMAT 2: 650 Q48 V30
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
MSF profile evaluation and school suggestion 01 Feb 2015, 11:03
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Thanks a lot guys....:)