Which Would You Choose...Why?

I am looking to get into the finance industry but not sure exactly which specific field. My undergrad was lacking in any support for recruiting and long story short I came out with no internship and no FT position to begin. I am looking at various MSF and MSF - type programs to get another shot at recruiting/networking.

My question is would you rather choose and Ivy league masters in something like international relations or public policy, or an MSF from Vanderbilt/WUSTL also including Duke MMS and UVA MS Commerce?

 
Best Response

Its a great question. I'm kinda of in the same boat. I applied to Georgetown for their MPP/MA Econ and got accepted but also got accepted into Tufts, Duke MMS, Vanderbilt and waiting on Columbia Financial Econ and Chicago MPP.

Its difficult to decide. I'm contemplating now. I'm leaning towards Duke and if i gain admission, Columbia. I think its 'better the devil you know' sort of thing. Columbia and Duke will have IBD and MBB OCR but ivy league masters in IR or PP likely will not. The surer bet is probably an MSF.

Interested to hear what everyone else thinks?

Also, have you applied this year?

 

I have not applied because I am doing a semester abroad in the fall. I am looking to apply for the 2012 admission. Congrats on your acceptance to Duke, what are your stats?

 

In this market, and with downsizing across the financial industry, you will not get a BB job without internships or a top Master's.

 
Higheck123:
manbearpig:
What was your major in college?

I am an economics major.

Hmm, might seem a bit strange if you then get a masters in something less related to try to get into finance. You won't be able to pull the "I didn't know until now" card. I would go with the MSF in this case, because then you can actually say that you wanted a deeper theoretical understanding of this stuff before venturing off in the real world. I'm not an authority on this stuff by any stretch though so I'll defer to more knowledgeable people. ANT would be the guy to ask tbh.

-MBP
 

I appreciate your input and totally agree. That is why I was thinking of Duke MMS or UVA MS Commerce; I figure they are financially focused while still giving broad exposure to other ops and have have great brand names. I hope to take my gmat in the fall and apply for these shortly after. I had also put Vanderbilt/ Villanova / & WUSTL on my radar but not so much as the other programs.

 

Completely agree on the MSF.

One point, isnt the UVA MS Commerce for those who just graduated? Are you done with your undergrad? If so, I dont think you'll be eligible to apply for 2012.

 

Yes, the UVA program is for those less than 1yr out of undergrad. I will officially have my BS in December. The program looks good but the global immersion part seems like fluff, which I don't think there is enough time for in a 10month program. I think I like the Duke program better but the UVA name over Duke.

 

Can't really go wrong with either but I agree with the UVA rec though I am a little biased.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 
happypantsmcgee:
Can't really go wrong with either but I agree with the UVA rec though I am a little biased.

So you would basically take UVA based on better brand and alumni connections over Dukes more relevant course-work? Just curious, did you go to UVA ?

 

Maybe.

I just prefer UVA over Duke. Many will tell you that the Duke name is (marginally) better than UVA but I haven't really seen that. I don't really know what else to tell you other than that you can't really go wrong with either one.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

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