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Hi,

Please find below a detailed explanation regarding the various MSc Courses and also some information regarding the new Duke program. The article is written by one of our mentors. He has confirmed admissions at LSE (MSc Management) and Cornell University (MILR). We are proud to report that Ankit is amongst the only Indians to be admitted to the first class at Duke University, for their MMS program.

Do get in touch for further information or to avail our services.

Regards,
AppReview

INFORMATION REGARDING MSc COURSES AND THE NEW DUKE MMS PROGRAM


First let's lay down the basic difference between an MSc Degree and an MBA.

An MSc degree is more theoretical and very specialist. For example. MSc Management, is a proper 2 year course in only Management and related studies. You might have modules related to HR and other fields, but you will concentrate mostly on the area of study your MSc is in. MSc degrees tend to be more theoretical, with the exception of some in Financial Engineering let's say at Said Business School, Oxford where students simulate live trading on a proper trading floor. All in all, MSc degrees concentrate more on the operations aspect.

MSc degrees are good for:

1) Those looking to start off a long career in management, thus laying foundations for a further MBA/PhD.

2) Those looking to get a base in order to be more competitive in the entry level job market. This would make you comparable to other graduates, but you would have an edge while applying to business related firms due to your master's degree.

3) For student's looking to get a good brand name on their resume, whilst getting the grasp of management and related studies and are looking for future admissions in MBA etc. This is different from point 1, as students taking this path are more focussed on jobs rather than academia.

4) For candidates who would return to a fmily business and thus want a basic knowledge, but not willing to go in for an MBA.

MSc Degree's sometimes tend to entice students, as they would be studying at a good school. However, the value addition can only be gauged in the future, that is if you secure a good MBA admit or a job.

MBA degrees tend to prepare students as overall managers. They concentrate a on practicality and strategy. An MBA student has a definitive edge over a MSc Student, as an MBA is a professional degree whereas an MSc is a master's. MBAs are more employable than MSc students.

Please note that a lot of people might contend that the above differentiation does not hold for all courses and schools. This is true, but we are presenting a general picture here. Also, a degree can never decide definitively how far you could go in life. Just that MBA students get a better headstart.


Based on the above information, you can see which suits you best. Please read further below for some highly recommended MSc Programs.


The MMS program at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University

This course should not be mistaken as a master's course that will give you a substantial boost. You should not compare it with the kind of education and career boost a MFE (financial engineering) or MILR (Master's in Industrial and Labor Relations) can give. There are various reasons for this:

1. According to Duke's own admission, the MMS program is aimed at making it's students more competitive in the job market as compared to other recent college graduates.

2. It is a new program and it's base would be established only over the nest 3-5 years.

However, this program is good for those seeking to enter the consulting industry and the likes at entry level positions. In our opinion, this degree would make you more competitive than general college grads, even with business degrees in their undergrad. The program's main strengths are:

1. Addition of the Fuqua brand name

2. Addition of the Duke brand name

3. A course aimed at rivalling the MSc Management at the London Business School (LBS) and thus having a very well tailored curriculum

4. Full access to all Fuqua facilities; Courses will be taught by Fuqua's renowned faculty

5. For the first year, 2009, no application fee and higher availability of scholarships

We recommed this program for students looking to go in for a master's degree in management. Normally, these are only offered in the UK/Euorpean schools, and Fuqua is now setting th trend amongst US schools. We hope to, and do expect, many more such programs to come up soon.




RECOMMENDED MSc COURSES

LSE (MSc Management; Finance; Accounting; Economics and combinations of the above)
LBS (MSc Finance; MSc Management)
Duke MMS
Cambridge (MPhil Management; Finance; Operations)
HEC Paris (Grand Ecole MSc)


Hope this helps. Please post further queries/questions/profile evaluations below.

All the best with your applications.

First of all, I thank you for this informative forum. I am not sure if my question will be a digression from the goal of this forum, but I will anyway post it.

I am planning to apply to MSc management and Strategy course at LSE.

My Profile:
B.E. Computer Engineering (India) - First Class
M.S. Computer Engineering (USA - One of the reputed Top 10 Engineering Schools; not famous in UK) - GPA 3.5 + Research Thesis
Two internships at very well well known reputed engineering companies during MS.
After MS, working as a Design Engineer Consultant at a internationally very reputed electronics company for 1 year.
GRE: Quant-790/800 Verbal - 620/800
Taking CFA Level-1 in December
Age:25

Reason For Applying to MSc: (A little long - please bear with me)
I want to get a comprehensive understanding of running a corporate organization. Currently, I know how an engineering design organization is run and I have developed good analytical skills. I lack experience in different aspect of management.

I finally want to do an MBA from H/S/W. BUT, I do not want to get an MBA to start my career but I want to work as much as possible in general management and management consulting before getting an MBA, so MBA can help me go to the next level. Also, at my experience level or with the current path, it would be extremely difficult to get into H/S/W.

Thus, I plan to get an MSc in Management and Strategy from a world renowned institute, work in management consulting and general management for a few years, get a specific goal for future and enter H/S/W when I am 31-32.

Guidance Needed for following Questions/Doubts/Difficulties:
Most importantly, can I get admission in LSE MSc Management and Strategy with my profile? The website says that they require minimum 3.6 GPA at undergraduate level.

While majority of the students will be entering MSc immediately after graduation, can my 4 years post under-grad study+work ex help me get a better job after MSc? I think most of the student will join management consulting as Analysts; can I get an opportunity to start as a Consultant?

What are the other good alternatives? To clarify, I am not interested in any masters level degree in finance or related field because I am not looking to change fields, I am looking to supplement my current education and experience. I am interested in management, strategy, international business, etc.

Any help, suggestions and ideas will be really helpful.

Thanks.

Hi! I'm a current student in Duke's new MMS program at Fuqua. If you're looking for more information, I encourage you to check out my blog at www.lukeatduke.com

Would anyone be able to give hints on Duke MMS vs. LSE's 2yr Msc Management degree?

For placements later in New York/London?
Alumni relations?
Personal support, CV, career?

I would assume LSE's rigour would provide a very solid business foundation during 2 years, lot of math/econ/cases..but it is not a business school like Fuqua and 2 years for a general business degree may be too long, as it is like and MBA in length.

Thanks

Two years is too long for a MSc in management. Obviously if you want to work in London, the LSE name will go a long way. Duke's MMS is a foundation in business, providing non business majors with a solid understand of the concepts in management and general business. Within the USA, Duke has an amazing reputation and brand. One year is also favorable when it comes to a MS degree.

UVA has a similar program called a MS in Commerce. Wake Forest has a MiM also.

MSFHQ wrote:Two years is too long for a MSc in management. Obviously if you want to work in London, the LSE name will go a long way. Duke's MMS is a foundation in business, providing non business majors with a solid understand of the concepts in management and general business. Within the USA, Duke has an amazing reputation and brand. One year is also favorable when it comes to a MS degree.

UVA has a similar program called a MS in Commerce. Wake Forest has a MiM also.

Hi guys,

I am really interested in applying for the LSE's MSc Management and Strategy for the 2011 intake, not only for its (and obviously LSE's) reputation, but also because I am a big fan of economics applied to managerial issues (game theory, incentives, etc).

I sent my application last 24th January 2011.

Profile:
Graduated from a top university in Portugal with the highest average grade of my class.
Had 1 year consulting experience at Deloitte.
Now I'm attending a MSc Finance in the same university, and teaching Money and Financial Markets on a undergraduate level.
Haven't taken the IELTS or TOEFL (I know I can only receive an uncondittional offer after taking one of these).
GMAT: Verbal 42 (95th percentile), Quant 50 (93rd percentile), Total 760 (99th percentile).

Do you think I have a chance with my application? What do you think may diminish my chances?

Also, what are the most important placements for this master? I want to work on strategic consulting in London or Investment Banking.

Thanks a lot!