MSF and MBA application differences?

Question

Hi everyone!

First time posting here and I hope you could help me on this; I've been trying to decide whether I should take a Masters in finance versus an MBA. Yes, I realize the pros and cons of both have been argued ad nauseam but I have never seen what the application differences are. I mean, for some MBA's if you have a weak GMAT but strong GPA and work experience it can make up for it, or how a low GPA can be made up by a Pulitzer-worthy essay, etcetera. But how is it for an MSF? Particularly for LBS/LSE/oxbridge? Sorry if this has been discussed before, I've searched and found nothing on it.

Thanks!

nbd52 · Answer

Hey,

Can't speak for the schools you just mentioned, however, for MSF I think stats play a bigger role in admissions. For instance, I know from the MIT application that they don't even have a real essay. Just 100 word boxes to fill in describing "why a mfin" and "anything else you would like the admissions committee to know", etc. Hence, for that particular app, I'd assume things like essays and recommendations play a very small part in admissions. In general, from my experience, if you don't have good enough GMAT/GPA breakdown, you will struggle in MSF admissions. In MBA applications, a weak GMAT or GPA can be compensated for by spectacular essays and recommendations.

Hope this helped.

papagiorgio · Answer

Thanks!

Yeah I pretty much figured that was the case since most masters just ask for a personal statement, and they're usually kinda short. Thanks again man!

UnivAdmitHelp · Answer

A small point to be added is that for MSF they give a lot more preference on Quant score of GMAT. IF Quant score is in place then you have good chance as Verbal plays more important role in MBA or other MS degrees. Many a times if you have low GPA then the chances increase by differentiating your own profile with respect to others for eg start-up, sports excellence, or some interesting paper published etc.

MSFHQ · Answer

MSF programs in Europe are very stats drive. GMAT, Class Rank, etc. This is because the students tend to not have developed careers and be fresh out of school so the only real way to evaluate them is from test scores. MBA's are experienced professionals and as you work, how you did in school becomes less important. Now that isn't completely the case since you need a good GPA and GMAT to get into the top programs, but work experience is a big factor as well.

In the US, some programs are more forgiving of lower scores than others. In the US, MSF programs are evaluated mainly on their ability to place students into sought after roles (mainly investment banking). Placements are a function of students being adults and able to network, interview well and convert a job offer. These attributes are hard to find out from test scores alone, so work experience can have a powerful impact on scores. GMAT is also going to be important as MSF programs are using that as a marketing tool (which program has the highest GMAT scores, etc). This hasn't reached MBA level insanity because there are no real US rankings of programs. Once that happens you will see GMAT become the primary applicant measure and average scores will start climbing up.

Diversity also helps as well (sex not race). These MSF programs are almost entirely male so qualified female applicants are in high demand.

Hope that helps.

MSF and MBA application differences?

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