Profile evaluation for MS finance ,FAll 2010 |US univ

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naru1234: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:36 pm

by naru1234 » Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:47 pm

Hi,

Want to pursue MS in finance from US based universities,just wanted to know whether there is a chance of my getting into the schools mentioned....

Academics
- GMAT: 670(47Q, 35V)
AWA :5.0/6
-TOEFL ---AWAITING RESULT
- I have a Bachelor of Engineering(Information Tech) degree from Mumbai University
I have 64.8 % from mumbai university....i dont know how to convert this to GPA....Mumbai university doesnt give GPA's
--have completed CFA level 2 from ICFAI university (Indian CFA)

Work
- 3 years of work experience in I.T industry (BFSI sector)
Currently working in TCS (Tata Consultancy services) in a core banking product
- Weakness: no managerial experience but have mentored new employees and interns.

Activities
- sadly not much to boast in the extracurricular section

Goals
- Short term: Investment banking,Financial/Business analyst roles
- Long term: Do consulting on my own

Schools
I have shortlisted the following colleges for MS in finance(FALL 2010) from USA
CAn any one please guide me regarding
1)whether these universities are ambitious for my score or are they reasonable
2)chances of financial aid.

I have based my research on US news and Financial times......
Are they credible sources....is their any other better source for MS finance
the listing does not relate to the schools ranking.....
1)University of texas (Austin) Mccombs
2)Washingon university in St Louis (Olin)
3)Georgia State University(ROBINSON)(consider Executive Ms also)
4)Purdue University
5)tamu
6)University of florida(Hough/warrington)
7)Boston college (Caroll)
8)Tulane University
9)Villanova University
10)University of illinois -UC
11)Brandeis University
12)University of Utah
13)university of houston(bauer)
14)Illinois Institute of technology(stuart)
15)cuny baruch(executive Ms)
16)Pepperdine University: Graziadio
17)Saint Josephs University
18)Temple University Fox
19)Louisiana State University(ourso)

I need to shortlist 10 colleges from the above mentioned colleges.....can someone please guide me ....Iam opting only for MS finance and not for MFE(financial engineering) ....i.e not inclined towards quantitative finance.

I belong to the Indian IT pool so what are my chances at these schools ?
Should I consider any other schools ?

Thanks in advance[/b]

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant | Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:47 pm

Paxton Helms - Kaplan: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 290; Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:36 pmFollowed by: 2 members; Location: Washington, DC; Thanked: 28 times

by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:53 am

Hi and thanks for your question. A few thoughts:

- First and foremost, why an M.S. in finance instead of an MBA? I think an MBA would be more useful to you. The thing about an MFE is that it is a technical degree rather than a mgmt. degree so it makes sense for some folks depending on their career goals. Your interest is less clear to me.

- I think you have a decent shot at most of those programs. In terms of narrowing them down, I think I would take a look at my "sticky" post about how to choose an MBA program and do the same thing for your master's program.

My one caveat re that suggestion: there are fewer MS programs in finance and it less about the "total experience" than your average MBA program. So...some of the factors having to do with alumni, etc., will matter less. So...put more emphasis on the program and the faculty, etc. Proximity to major finance centers would be nice, too.

- Your GMAT seems low for a quant program but you did do well on the quant portion so that helps a lot.

In terms of getting financial aid, I don't really know enough about MS programs in finance to say. I will say, though, that there is always a trade off between competitiveness / quality of school and the chance of financial aid.

Keep me in the loop about your thinking and let me know if you have any more questions.

Paxton

Paxton Helms is an MBA admissions consultant for Kaplan Admissions Consulting. He earned his MBA from UCLA and specializes in helping clients that are applying to top twenty and "reach" programs. He can be reached directly at [email protected].

To begin working with Paxton immediately, follow this link and request him specifically: https://www.kaptest.com/GMAT/Admissions- ... lting.html

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naru1234: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:36 pm

Thank you

by naru1234 » Thu Aug 13, 2009 2:47 am

Hi Paxton

thanks for the reply.sorry my mistake....should have been more specific.....actually have been working in a banking product for the last 3 years and got fascinated by the business aspect of banking..(I am a software developer)
so more interested in MS finance than doing an MBA ....
More specifically i wanted to do an MS finance rather than an MFE....which is more quant specific i guess.....
In my case i think "geography","program strength" and "scholarship" matter i guess....correct me if iam wrong.....
anyways thanks a lot for your reply
take care

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Paxton Helms - Kaplan: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 290; Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:36 pmFollowed by: 2 members; Location: Washington, DC; Thanked: 28 times

by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Mon Aug 24, 2009 4:33 am

Hi and sorry for the delay in getting back to you. If you are more interested in the business side of things I really think an MBA makes more sense for you --you get all of the finance plus a lot of great general management training.

No matter, though, if you want to do the MS in finance I think you are a good candidate. I wouldn't worry too much about the extra-curriculars --they matter less for a master's in finance than an MBA. And, the fact that you have a technical degree and good work experience will help you as well.

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