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confusedindian
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Rochester Simon: Worth it? 06 May 2024, 08:16
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­Hi All,

I applied for MSF Programs in the US. I come from a non-tech background with a three-year bachelor degree. So that eliminated a lot of schools and programs like UC Berkeley (MFE), Texas McCombs (MFin), and others since I did not have the required four-year degree. I got into Rochester Simon with a 25% scholarship. Got few rejections from USC and Chicago Booth for their respective MSF Programs. I was wondering if I should go ahead with Rochester or defer a year, improve my GRE, switch companies, and then apply again next year. My sole confusion roots from the fact that Simon might not be the first choice for me, and considering it was in the Top 40-50s list. I really wanted to try for something in the Top 25.

Would really appreciate any suggestions/advise.

Thanks
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Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
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Rochester Simon: Worth it? 06 May 2024, 08:36
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Hi confusedindian

Simon is worth for many so there is no correct answer to that question. However, knowing that you can do better, it's a chance worth taking because you don't do a Master's every 2-3 years.

I think you need to first evaluate what's the possible improvement in GRE that you can deliver. Switching companies may not be as helpful unless your role is significantly getting better or you get a break to work with some big brand.

Evaluate practically what can happen rather than getting carried away by what YOU want to happen.

What's your current GRE score by the way? and did you brainstorm the reasons of receiving rejection from Booth and others.?
confusedindian
­Hi All,

I applied for MSF Programs in the US. I come from a non-tech background with a three-year bachelor degree. So that eliminated a lot of schools and programs like UC Berkeley (MFE), Texas McCombs (MFin), and others since I did not have the required four-year degree. I got into Rochester Simon with a 25% scholarship. Got few rejections from USC and Chicago Booth for their respective MSF Programs. I was wondering if I should go ahead with Rochester or defer a year, improve my GRE, switch companies, and then apply again next year. My sole confusion roots from the fact that Simon might not be the first choice for me, and considering it was in the Top 40-50s list. I really wanted to try for something in the Top 25.

Would really appreciate any suggestions/advise.

Thanks
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­
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AugustAcademy
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Rochester Simon: Worth it? 07 May 2024, 04:19
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Hi,

It is a bit hard to comment on this without knowing your profile:

1. What kind of college did you study at?
2. GPA
3. What kind of work experience do you have, if any?  how many years?
4. What is your GRE score?
5. How much can you improve your score by,  if you take it again?  Be realistic.
6. What kind of role change would you undertake this year?
7. Have you prepped for or are prepping for the CFA?

Based on all of this, and most importantly on q5, I can advise you about further steps.

Broadly though - Simon is a good college, though not the topmost ranked if your sights are set on places like Booth.  It is in sufficiently close proximity to NYC and Toronto - both financial centers in their respective countries.

So you should have good career outcomes out of Simon.

About whether you should apply again - can you improve your GRE, and by how much?

If you wish to chat, you can reach out at: https://bit.ly/GM_AugAcd_Profile_Evaluation

Best
Karthik
confusedindian
­Hi All,

I applied for MSF Programs in the US. I come from a non-tech background with a three-year bachelor degree. So that eliminated a lot of schools and programs like UC Berkeley (MFE), Texas McCombs (MFin), and others since I did not have the required four-year degree. I got into Rochester Simon with a 25% scholarship. Got few rejections from USC and Chicago Booth for their respective MSF Programs. I was wondering if I should go ahead with Rochester or defer a year, improve my GRE, switch companies, and then apply again next year. My sole confusion roots from the fact that Simon might not be the first choice for me, and considering it was in the Top 40-50s list. I really wanted to try for something in the Top 25.

Would really appreciate any suggestions/advise.

Thanks
Show more
­
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confusedindian
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Rochester Simon: Worth it? 07 May 2024, 14:28
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confusedindian
­Hi All,

I applied for MSF Programs in the US. I come from a non-tech background with a three-year bachelor degree. So that eliminated a lot of schools and programs like UC Berkeley (MFE), Texas McCombs (MFin), and others since I did not have the required four-year degree. I got into Rochester Simon with a 25% scholarship. Got few rejections from USC and Chicago Booth for their respective MSF Programs. I was wondering if I should go ahead with Rochester or defer a year, improve my GRE, switch companies, and then apply again next year. My sole confusion roots from the fact that Simon might not be the first choice for me, and considering it was in the Top 40-50s list. I really wanted to try for something in the Top 25.

Would really appreciate any suggestions/advise.

Thanks
Show more
­Just to provide a background on my profile:
1. I have a 320 on GRE (156V and 164Q)
2. My GPA is 8.6 (on a scale of 10)
3. As of now, I have 21 months of experience (12 months in front-end management consulting, 9 in Investment Modelling for a fortune 500 company)
4. I did a Bachelor in Commerce from Delhi University
5. Genuinely do not know how much I can improve my score by, since it's difficult to gauge
6. The role change I would target is same industry (investments/consulting) but a slightly better company, preferably M.B.B. or Blackrock
7. I have recently started preparing for CFA Level 1

Hope this information helps!
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Rochester Simon: Worth it? 08 May 2024, 05:13
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confusedindian
­Hi All,

I applied for MSF Programs in the US. I come from a non-tech background with a three-year bachelor degree. So that eliminated a lot of schools and programs like UC Berkeley (MFE), Texas McCombs (MFin), and others since I did not have the required four-year degree. I got into Rochester Simon with a 25% scholarship. Got few rejections from USC and Chicago Booth for their respective MSF Programs. I was wondering if I should go ahead with Rochester or defer a year, improve my GRE, switch companies, and then apply again next year. My sole confusion roots from the fact that Simon might not be the first choice for me, and considering it was in the Top 40-50s list. I really wanted to try for something in the Top 25.

Would really appreciate any suggestions/advise.

Thanks
Show more
­Hello confusedindian,

Hope this finds you well.

Simon may not be among the top notch programs; however, the location makes it a good option. Hence, if you take the admit, go out there and perform, you will have fine opportunities for growth. 

To be honest, you will never get a direct answer with regard to whether you should take the opportunity at Simon or give up on it. A lot depends on how much you can work on your GRE and what feedback you have received from the schools you were rejected from. 

Giving up on Simon would mean risking things a bit; however, if you feel like you can score much higher on the GRE and have the bandwidth to improve your profile significantly in teh next one year, it would be worth taking the risk.

Hope this helps.

All the best!
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Rochester Simon: Worth it? 08 May 2024, 07:09
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Hi can you please share what you feel makes Rochester a good location?
ExpertsGlobal
 
confusedindian
­Hi All,

I applied for MSF Programs in the US. I come from a non-tech background with a three-year bachelor degree. So that eliminated a lot of schools and programs like UC Berkeley (MFE), Texas McCombs (MFin), and others since I did not have the required four-year degree. I got into Rochester Simon with a 25% scholarship. Got few rejections from USC and Chicago Booth for their respective MSF Programs. I was wondering if I should go ahead with Rochester or defer a year, improve my GRE, switch companies, and then apply again next year. My sole confusion roots from the fact that Simon might not be the first choice for me, and considering it was in the Top 40-50s list. I really wanted to try for something in the Top 25.

Would really appreciate any suggestions/advise.

Thanks
­Hello confusedindian,

Hope this finds you well.

Simon may not be among the top notch programs; however, the location makes it a good option. Hence, if you take the admit, go out there and perform, you will have fine opportunities for growth. 

To be honest, you will never get a direct answer with regard to whether you should take the opportunity at Simon or give up on it. A lot depends on how much you can work on your GRE and what feedback you have received from the schools you were rejected from. 

Giving up on Simon would mean risking things a bit; however, if you feel like you can score much higher on the GRE and have the bandwidth to improve your profile significantly in teh next one year, it would be worth taking the risk.

Hope this helps.

All the best!
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AugustAcademy
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Rochester Simon: Worth it? 08 May 2024, 07:16
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Your score is very close to Simon's class average (median at least).  I would think that at most you can consider programs that are about 10 ranking points better than Simon at this point.

If you wait another year, you do become older than class average - something to be considered.

My conservative advice would be for you to take it.

Best,
Karthik
confusedindian

confusedindian
­Hi All,

I applied for MSF Programs in the US. I come from a non-tech background with a three-year bachelor degree. So that eliminated a lot of schools and programs like UC Berkeley (MFE), Texas McCombs (MFin), and others since I did not have the required four-year degree. I got into Rochester Simon with a 25% scholarship. Got few rejections from USC and Chicago Booth for their respective MSF Programs. I was wondering if I should go ahead with Rochester or defer a year, improve my GRE, switch companies, and then apply again next year. My sole confusion roots from the fact that Simon might not be the first choice for me, and considering it was in the Top 40-50s list. I really wanted to try for something in the Top 25.

Would really appreciate any suggestions/advise.

Thanks
­Just to provide a background on my profile:
1. I have a 320 on GRE (156V and 164Q)
2. My GPA is 8.6 (on a scale of 10)
3. As of now, I have 21 months of experience (12 months in front-end management consulting, 9 in Investment Modelling for a fortune 500 company)
4. I did a Bachelor in Commerce from Delhi University
5. Genuinely do not know how much I can improve my score by, since it's difficult to gauge
6. The role change I would target is same industry (investments/consulting) but a slightly better company, preferably M.B.B. or Blackrock
7. I have recently started preparing for CFA Level 1

Hope this information helps!
Show more
­