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I am Gaurav from INDIA. I am 25 years old. My profile is as follows:

>Class 10 - 91%
>Class 12 - 92%
>Bachelors in Engineering (Electronics & Telecommunications) 4 years full time - CGPA - 9.1/10 from a reputed University in INDIA
>2 years Full time work experience in IBM INDIA PVT. LTD. as a SAP Business Intelligence Consultant
>Currently pursuing MBA in Capital Markets (2012-14) from India from a reputed B-school. CGPA for first year - 3.6/4.
>I have 4-5 corporate projects in my name, in the area of IPO, Private Equity deal, Capital Budgeting, Business strategy for SMEs, etc.

I want to pursue a Masters in Finance from abroad, with focus on following areas:

Corporate finance
Investment Banking
Mergers & Acquisition
Private Equity/ Venture Capital
Valuation
and other related subjects

Is it the right stage in my career to go for a Masters in Finance? If Yes, then how should I go about it? Kindly assist me

MSFHQ · Answer

I'd wait. You are already going for an MBA after only a short amount of work experience. I'd finish that MBA and try and get a job in finance or doing whatever you want to do as a career. Then if you feel there is a need you can look at an MSF.

mission2016 · Answer

Hello Sir/Mam,
 Thank you for your reply.

The MBA programs in India do not have a very vast choice in terms of electives, and in my case there are no electives, it is a completely structured program. The MBA here is highly theoretical in nature with minimal emphasis on practical approach and extremely poor in terms of contribution from fellow classmates, hence there is almost zero learning from peers.

Here is how I developed an interest in Investment Banking and thus felt a great need for a MS in Finance:

>While doing my MBA, I went through the subjects in Capital Markets (not in-depth as in India it is just a kind of browsing through the subjects)
>I got selected for 4-5 corporate projects (while still pursuing my MBA) in the area of investment banking. >One of the visiting faculties heads a boutique investment bank in India. He was very happy with my practical approach towards the subject, thus he offered me the opportunity to work on a live project. From there I got 4 more projects in my basket.
>Through the projects, I developed further interest, hence now I want to gain in-depth knowledge in finance subjects related to investment banking, private equity, M&A, corporate finance, etc.
> And a MS in Finance is the only program which can give me the option of choosing the electives as per my interest. (I did not/DO NOT have this option in India).
>I have a good job opportunity in India, but I am ready to forgo that if I can get quality education.

So now I want to first have some perspectives of my chances of getting into a top B-school for MS in Finance, keeping in mind, the fact that I would be already having a MBA degree by April 2014. 
I am planning for Fall 2015. By that time I will have another 1.5 years of work-experience (April 2014 to August 2015) in addition to the already 2 years that I have, but this won't get highlighted in the applications since I will be dispatching those by November 2014.

I request for your view on my case, as to what are my chances and how should I go about it.

Thanks & Regards,
Gaurav Bansal.

MSFHQ · Answer

I'd suggest prepping for your GMAT/GRE as that will be a large influence on your competitiveness at many MSF schools. Be prepared for an uphill battle as investment banking is very hard to get into and requiring sponsorship puts you at a disadvantage.

Depending on your GMAT scores you might also want to consider the INSEAD MSF program. It is world renowned and will help you place around the world. Might be a good thing if you are open to working in a variety of places.

mission2016 · Answer

Hello,
 Thank you for the advice. Yes I would be preparing for GRE/GMAT and TOEFL (I can manage a good score). I have checked the program at INSEAD. I am open to working at any location. I am just concerned about the adverse affect that my MBA degree can have on my chances of getting into a MS in Finance program. I am thinking on how to make that point a strength in my case.

Thanks & Regards,
Gaurav Bansal.

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