MS Finance Help!

Question

Hey Guys,

I am from India, currently pursuing my under-graduation in Business Administration(Finance Specialization) from one of the top universities in India. I am planning for MS Finance from USA beginning in 2015. 
I have not been able to find a compiled ranking for MS Finance for US programs. Can someone help me with that?

Also I have 15 years of education(12+3). Will that be a problem while applying to US?

Profile,
GPA: 3.1, will be between 3.2-3.3 by graduation
GMAT:Think I should be able to score between 700-720.
Extracurricular: Strong leadership presence on campus
Internships: 2 summer internships of 8 weeks each and currently doing a part-time job in a FMCG company(Finance Department)

Which are the universities that i should target?
any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

MSFHQ · Answer

I think with those stats you can be competitive at many of the main programs. Think Vanderbilt, WUSTL, Villanova, Texas Austin, Boston College, Claremont McKenna, USC, etc. Try and get that GPA up as high as you can and aim for a 700 or better.

The work experience and on campus EC's will help a lot when you write your essays and interview.

The work experience and on campus EC's will help a lot when you write your essays and interview.

Nitish255 · Answer

Thanks for you suggestions.

If I get a GMAT score 720 or more, Should I consider MIT, Simon Business School and Olin Business School or not??

MSFHQ · Answer

I think MIT will be tough with that GPA, but it might be worth an app. You'd be in range for WUSTL for sure though.

srinivasosuri · Answer

MSFHQ, I am planning to apply for MSF for Fall 2015 admissions. Could you please take a moment to evaluate my profile?

Age 23,Indian,B.E(Hons) Chemical Engineering from BITS-Pilani,GPA 8.2/10-First division.Class of 2012
My college is consistently among the top 10 colleges in India and has an acceptance ratio of 0.5%
Working as Senior Business Analyst in Mu-Sigma Data Sciences and Analytics,India for the past 2 years.
I have 2 internships during college, both related to Chemical Eng.
GMAT: 690 (Q50,V32) AWA 6/6 , IR 7/8. Took the test last week.
Preparing for CFA-1,Dec 2014
Extra-cirriculars: Member of college cricket team for all four years , Head of Engineering department for 1 yr and core member of Alumni Affairs Division for 2 yrs.
I intend to apply for the following colleges,all in Round 1.

1) WUSTL
2) Vanderbilt
3) U.T.Austin
4) UIUC
5) Villinova
6) Simon
7) HEC -Masters in Financial Economics
8) LSE - Masters in Finance and Economics

What are my chances at each university? Do you suggest any other universities?

Thank you!

MSFHQ · Answer

I know BITS well, my ex girlfriend when to the Dubai campus. Its a top school and people who know what is up know how hard it is. I think you stand a good chance at every school. IMO, you are in at UIUC, Simon, Nova, probably HEC. Great chances at UTA, WUSTL and LSE. I think your ranking is about right also. UIUC is mainly international students (Chinese), but will place well in Chicago. Nova is a smaller school, but respected on the East Coast. UTA is going to have the biggest draw in Houston/Dallas. LSE is the UK/International play.

srinivasosuri · Answer

Thank you for the reply MSFQ!

There is one question which is pestering me since my GMAT day-Should I retake it?
I know 690(Q50,V32,A.W.A 6/6,IR 7/8) is a not a bad score.All my target schools have avg GMAT in the range of 670-700
But,like for MBA, would the MSF admissions committee pool people based on Nationality inorder to maintain diversity?
If so,being an Indian, would I be disadvantaged by my GMAT? Typically, the Indian applicant pool for M.B.A has higher GMAT score than other countries'
Currently,I am working on my applications(Round-1,mid Oct deadlines ) and preparing for CFA-1.Retaking GMAT now means having too many things on my plate at the same time.
However, I would go for a retake if my gmat score is gonna hurt my application significantly.

I am confused. Please advise

Thanks

MSFHQ · Answer

I think a 690 is fine. Realistically, you could retake it at maybe get a 700-710. I don't think it is necessary with the GPA you have. MSF programs tend to have a lot of Chinese applicants, not necessarily Indian applicants, so I don't think the same MBA effect is seen with MSF's.

srinivasosuri · Answer

Thank you MSFHQ!

shreyashrama · Answer

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Oblivion24 · Answer

Hi MSFHQ,

I am planning to apply to the MS in finance course starting in 2015. Below is my profile :
1. B.tech In electronics and communications with a CGPA of 9.1
2. I have a work ex of 14 months right now working in the advisory vertical of KPMG.
3. Will be giving my GMAT soon. I am expecting somewhere between 650-680.

Can you please suggest some colleges for me. Further is it better to do an ms from UK or US, with job prospects in view.

Thank you.

silver8 · Answer

Hi, 
I am a Bcom Mba with 5yrs of work experience and I am planning to apply to an MSF program(fall 2015) I have 2 queries:

a) Is it advisible to go ahead for a MSF degree at this stage and what ROI can I expect
b) With 70% at undergrad level, 8.23/10 CGPA at post grad and gmat score 650, where do you suggest i can apply besides:
1. UMD
2. Purdue
3. WUSTL
4. UT Austin
5. Vanderbit
6. Boston College

Thanks!

silver8 · Answer

Would someone be able to throw some light on the average salary for post-experience MSF ? :roll:

MSFHQ · Answer

This really is a difficult thing to assess. You need to look at it like this. Most people applying for an MSF couldn't find a job they wanted or worked a job they didn't like for a year or so. The MSF for them is an opportunity to increase skills, rebrand and have another shot at a better job and career track.

So the starting salaries could be very similar to undergrad starting salaries, but in relation to what the students had before it is higher. Plus, since this is so finance focused you are going to have skew depending on how many students in the class want and got banking or how many decided for another finance focused path.

But I will try and answer your question.

Most schools will have a starting salary around $60-70K. This is a combination of banking salaries ($65-70K - not increased to around $80-85K) blended with more traditional accounting or F500 jobs. It doesn't take into account signing bonuses or year end bonuses.

Look at it like this. If you want banking and that is your focus, all in you'll probably make $100-150K (depending on group, bank, location). This is about what an UG in banking will make though as you'll both be analysts. But this will be more than what a current MSF applicant is making because logic would say that if you were making more than the income an MSF could provide you'd forgo the MSF.

Hope this helps some.

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