Which is the best fit? Boston vs Dallas (MSF)
Hello everyone,
I am seeking guidance as I navigate the next steps in my academic and professional journey. I recently completed my undergraduate studies in Accounting & Finance in Greece and have spent the last six months working at a Big-4, primarily involved in Buy-side M&A work. Currently, I'm in the process of applying for a master's degree, and I would greatly appreciate your insights on that matter. To provide you with a better understanding of my background:
-GPA ≈3.4
-Studying for GMAT (projecting a score in the lower-mid 600s)
-Total of 15 months of experience at a Big-4 by the start of the program
-Planning to sit for the CFA Level I exam in May 2024 (I was a member of my university's CFA Research Challenge winning team and received a scholarship)
-Other awards in minor competitions and have an extensive volunteering history
My primary goal is to pursue a master’s in the U.S. to earn more and live closer to my family. I have a specific set of location preferences: Dallas, New York, or Boston. These preferences come from the fact that I have family in these areas who have offered to accommodate me until I land a job post-graduation since I can’t afford extra costs. In terms of connections, two of them are working in NY (MD & Senior level) and one in Boston (VP) in top IB firms.
After thorough research, I've narrowed down my options to these programs:
Boston:
Boston University Metropolitan College - Master in Financial Management (≈$70K)
Northeastern University - Master in Finance (≈$50K)
Babson College - Master in Finance (≈$55K)
Boston College - Master in Finance (≈$65K)
Dallas:
UTD Master in Finance (Naveen Jindal School of Management) (≈$20-30K)
One of my main concerns is post-graduation employment opportunities, as each of these institutions claims to have a strong alumni network and connections within the job market. I would like your insights regarding the best location combined with one of these programs and/or your opinion on these graduate programs.
I genuinely appreciate any insights or advice you can offer. Thank you all in advance.
P.S. It's worth mentioning that I won't require a visa after living for 6 months in the U.S..
Interesting that you included some pricy MSF or equivalent schools in Boston, but then didn't include the MSF at SMU in Dallas which probably comes at the same price as BC or BU. I graduated from the MSF at SMU, and I wholeheartedly think that the MSF program has deteriorated year after year, however, there is something to be said about the overall SMU alumni network, especially if you're willing to stay in Dallas or Texas more broadly. The SMU alumni network will be worth a lot more than the UTD one, however I can't speak to how it compares to the Boston schools.
You are right I didn’t include SMU but that was not on purpose. I just read its curriculum and, to be honest, I didn’t find it as interesting. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Fair enough, and I'm not a cheerleader for the SMU program at all, just keep in mind that at least half the battle for graduate programs isn't the curriculum itself, but rather the alumni network. So while the curriculum at UTD may be more fulfilling to your interests, it will be harder to get a job out of the program because of a weaker network. Not impossible by any stretch as they have some very talented alums who give back their time but just something to keep in mind.
BC is the only MsF program you indicated that’s ranked competitive.
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