Which institutes offer MS Fin programs to freshers? I've tried to search a lot on internet but to no avail.
And is GMAT or the GRE score taken into consideration as far as MS in Fin goes?
My queries are regarding some of the top Financial Engineering/Computational/Quantitative Finance programs in the USA - UCB Haas, Tepper CMU, NYU Courant,etc.
1) In some cases, the Department of Industrial Engineering & Operations Research runs the Financial Engineering program, instead of the business school. Would such programs be beneficial, considering that we won't be getting as strong career services support? (Columbia, for example). Instead should we focus on programs run by B Schools, like CMU/UCB?
2) In wake of the recent financial and economic crisis, I've heard that the job market for quants has almost become non existent - is this true? I don't aim at hardcore quant roles anyway, but I am simply in love with the curriculum UCB Haas MFE offers.
3) I have an Engineering/Economics background with not so great math grades from BITS Pilani. However, grading was relative, which meant I was above average at Math at BITS. Should I worry? What remedial measures could I take to mitigate my not to stellar academics? GRE Subject Math? CFA? To what extent will they help?
I'm aiming at the Investment Management industry - Global Macro Hedge Funds to be precise. The dream is quite big and scary though, but then a dream isn't big enough if it doesn't intimidate you.
Such kind of experience after undergrad is nearly impossible in India, the best I can hope for is some Financial Analytics experience. What's your take on this?
Hoping for some replies from stalwarts like TraderJoe1976 & baccardisprite 😃
rust in peace
My queries are regarding some of the top Financial Engineering/Computational/Quantitative Finance programs in the USA - UCB Haas, Tepper CMU, NYU Courant,etc.
1) In some cases, the Department of Industrial Engineering & Operations Research runs the Financial Engineering program, instead of the business school. Would such programs be beneficial, considering that we won't be getting as strong career services support? (Columbia, for example). Instead should we focus on programs run by B Schools, like CMU/UCB?
The following programs are excellent and you can take admission without any hesitation: UCB MFE, CMU, NYU-Courant (NOT Poly), Columbia MFE (not MSOR or MFAN), Princeton. The following programs will give you a acceptable opportunity for jobs: Cornell, Baruch. From any other program, you will be able to get a job as quant developer only if you have two years development experience in C++, Databases, SQL, OOP.
2) In wake of the recent financial and economic crisis, I've heard that the job market for quants has almost become non existent - is this true? I don't aim at hardcore quant roles anyway, but I am simply in love with the curriculum UCB Haas MFE offers.
Job market is good for above schools. Otherwise, you need IT skills to get the job.
3) I have an Engineering/Economics background with not so great math grades from BITS Pilani. However, grading was relative, which meant I was above average at Math at BITS. Should I worry? What remedial measures could I take to mitigate my not to stellar academics? GRE Subject Math? CFA? To what extent will they help?
CFA Level 1 is a great help in admission. C++ programming. Finance work experience or internships.
I'm aiming at the Investment Management industry - Global Macro Hedge Funds to be precise. The dream is quite big and scary though, but then a dream isn't big enough if it doesn't intimidate you.
Such kind of experience after undergrad is nearly impossible in India, the best I can hope for is some Financial Analytics experience. What's your take on this?
Any prior Finance experience will be helpful. Most important thing is school brand name. Best schools are listed above. UCB and Princeton are the best. Even CMU is excellent.
Thanks for the response, TraderJoe1976.
I'm not interested in hardcore quant/dev roles. I see UCB places people into Tudor Investment Corporation and some other hedge funds. What kind of roles are these? Would be great if you could offer some insight.
Hi,
I have an offer for Msc Analytics: Operational Research and Risk Analysis from Manchester Business School. Does anyone have more information about the course structure, career prospects, difficulty level etc? How suitable is this course for a person with accounting and finance background?
Thanks!
It is amazing you put in so much thought and analysis to smallest of queries... Cheers
Here's my story- I'm in my 3rd year of engineering. I'll be taking CFA Level 1 this June and I'm planning to do an MBA straight after my graduation since I wont be able to survive in a boring IT job.
Now, considering the CAT fiasco (random papers, random results with PG gods not doing well, IIM's weird selection criteria, etc), I don't want to rely on only CAT to make a career in Finance ie don't want to put all my eggs in one basket.
I came to know about MS in Finance and Financial engineering today itself and I was hoping if anyone could spare only 5 minutes and help me with where an MS in Fin stands in front of an MBA in Fin? How do the two vary? How are the job prospects like? Plus I'm a fresher, no work exp, so would that cause any hindrance with me getting into good institutes for MS in Fin? I heard LSE offers MSc courses even for a fresher too. Are there many such institutes? Thank you :)
I have some feedback for you, that will hopefully encourage you to think rather than jump into solutions for your life at your age! Ask yourself the right questions first please....
Is a "boring" IT job the only job you can get out of Engineering? Have you thought of other jobs, like the Management / Engineering Trainee programs of the major corporate houses like L&T;, Reliance, Essar, Maruti or the major PSUs like IOCL, NTPC etc??? These jobs offer not only the opportunity to learn a core skill and acquire valuable competencies in a business very early on, but also offer pretty decent compensation including in some cases all the perks of a Government job (like housing, transport, LTA, medical facilities) at minimal or nil cost to you!! These are hidden costs of living in the CTC based compensation that you get from IT companies or other private enterprises. Please think....
Is finance really your passion? The tone of your post tells me you see the Masters in Finance (MBA or MS) as an escape to what you believe is the only job you can get out of Engineering! Please get out of that mindset. Think about other jobs, other companies, look for opportunity rather than wait for opportunity to come to you.
CAT - again, the selection criteria at the IIMs is only as bizarre as what you see on a website. Don't go thinking the IIMs are witch-doctors, they're human beings and their interest is to try and determine entry of candidates based on the most optimal selection criteria. The tweaks and changes they seem to make every year aren't insurmountable! You have 6-7 months to go - please take the time to prepare well, take classes if you need to and take the exam with confidence and guarded optimism. Give it your 100%, be healthily nervous (keeps you alert) yet go without fear, and you will succeed.
To answer your questions:
*An MBA is a general management degree for professionals seeking a more rounded education. Core courses are generalist in nature, while elective courses may follow 1-2 professional specializations. The latter is due the fact that most MBA grads will for 10-12 years develop in one-more functional roles before shifting to true general management. MBA's are taken mostly by people who have 5 years of experience after a Bachelor's degree. An M.Sc is more focused education, where the core & elective groups are finance concentrated. Typically taken by younger people (under 27) who seek a professional & long term career in the field.
*As a fresher with no work experience, the risk is you won't be able to articulate your career immediately after the M.Sc and you will come of as unclear and unstructured in your thinking.... Do you have a true passion for finance? Do you understand what you need to do to get to a good career in finance?
*M.Sc courses are known to admit freshers, but the average is people with at least 2-3 years of experience and something to offer an employer in terms of skills and competence at the end of the program! What could you potentially offer an employer? Think it over....
If you are truly interested in finance, and hopefully you make one of the good Indian b-schools (ABCLKI, FMS, XL, SPJ, JB, MDI, IMT, TAPMI etc..), you will at least have the opportunity to get recruited on campus for that. If you don't make it to one of these, do try and get into a major KPO company with a large client base of finance clients. YOu will get ample opportunity to learn not only the basics of finance, but also techniques in quantitative & financial analytics that will help you all your life going forward. While on it, continue studying for the CFA and try completing in 3-4 years, then go for an M.Sc or MBA depending on where your long term career goals and interests lie.....
Hope that helps you think!
All the best
Baccardisprite
Hi baccardisprite!!!!!
Congratulation for the awesome post!!!! Cheers....
I am B.Tech biotechnology graduate(2009) with a gpa of 8.1/10.
12th(PCBM)-81%
10th-86%
EC-decent
GMAT-giving nxt month (hoping for 730+)
I am working with infy from past 1.6 yrs..... i want to pursue my interest in consulting/strategy consulting/ product management in form of masters. i researched about a lot of programs and finally thought of doing my masters from Europe or UK in fall 2012 with a work experience of around 3 years. but when i was going through this entire thread, by your posts i learnt that masters in management is not a very good course.Is it so? If I do it from Teir 1 colleges like HEC, LSE(masters in strategy& management), St.Gallens, and some others. I always had a inclination towards finance also but i ve learned from some of knowns who are doing their MFIN that it is very difficult to get a job if you r nt from a finance background. I am very confused rite now. As i have my exam next month i really want to be sure of some good colleges and courses i can pursue.
I would be glad if u can provide some insight on this matter. I want to eventually come back to India, i can work there for 2-4 years not more than that so this is very major concern for me.
through ur post i ve learnt about delft(Holland) courses. Masters in integrated product design and masters in strategic product design look pretty interesting.If u can please throw some light on these course and job prospects and roi, it would be a grt help...
please guide me!!!!!!!!!!
thanks....
If strategy consulting is your calling - then the path of least resistance to get into the big strat firms is either through the IIMs (you need to finish top 10%) or 5-6 years hard core "client / externally interactive" experience, then a Top Notch MBA (US Top 10-15, EU Top 5, CEIBS, ISB) would most probably get you there!
What do you do in Infy?
Delft - superb program, however are you design oriented? Have you designed anything before? This is not just a quantitative program for engineers, this is a very visual program. You need to have a bit of the artists, thinker and visualizer (different from visionary) in you!
All the best
Baccardisprite
ap5 SaysHi, I have an offer for Msc Analytics: Operational Research and Risk Analysis from Manchester Business School. Does anyone have more information about the course structure, career prospects, difficulty level etc? How suitable is this course for a person with accounting and finance background? Thanks!
Don't want to be unhelpful, but shouldn't you ask these questions before you apply? Haven't you researched the course structure before applying, to see whether it fits your long term career goals? Have you spoken to alumni and the career services department of the school or did you just apply?
As for career prospects, assuming you want to work in the UK, this is quite a challenge as the UK Work Visa rules have changed recently. Please ensure you stay aware of the latest changes in rules (UK Border Agency | Post-study workers). After that, it boils down to what you want to do, what industry / type of company you want to work in, and whether you intend working in the UK. Hopefully you have the skills to offer your future employer.
Think about these are post again.
All the best
Baccardisprite
alokalamban SaysIt is amazing you put in so much thought and analysis to smallest of queries... Cheers
Thanks for the positive feedback! All of us (PsychoD, Trader, MBA Crystal, myself and others) We do our best! Sometimes, it's not about the right answers, but more about the right questions that posters need to ask themselves :-)
All the best in your career
Baccardisprite
thanks alot Baccardisprite..........
I work as a developer only in infy... can u please throw some light on masters in management programs in Europe. Are they worth doing? i am really confused about this as i have heard many mixed reviews about ms mangement. and if u have any ideas about ms management, technology and economics in ETH Zurich.
Thanks
To rust in peace
My queries are regarding some of the top Financial Engineering/Computational/Quantitative Finance programs in the USA - UCB Haas, Tepper CMU, NYU Courant,etc.
1) In some cases, the Department of Industrial Engineering & Operations Research runs the Financial Engineering program, instead of the business school. Would such programs be beneficial, considering that we won't be getting as strong career services support? (Columbia, for example). Instead should we focus on programs run by B Schools, like CMU/UCB?
Sorry, rust in peace. Due to hectic schedule, I wasn't able to address your earlier query. But, better late, than never.
There is no difference worry as far as which department of a university runs the program. All the universities / schools you have talked about have excellent reputation and a long standing tradition in FE programs. However, I don't know why you missed out on Princeton MS Finance which is offered at Bendheim Centre for Finance and is regarded as the best MS Finance program in the world by many.
2) In wake of the recent financial and economic crisis, I've heard that the job market for quants has almost become non existent - is this true? I don't aim at hardcore quant roles anyway, but I am simply in love with the curriculum UCB Haas MFE offers.
Job market for quants will NEVER be non existent till the time market become fully efficient (which again means NEVER, the other way round 😉 ). However, I see a divergence here. If you don't want to get into hardcore quant roles, why would you want to apply to such programs. The whole object for doing these programs will be lost. Is the curriculum so good that you will do it ? And if you have researched well do let me know what's so different at Hass's MFE from others.
3) I have an Engineering/Economics background with not so great math grades from BITS Pilani. However, grading was relative, which meant I was above average at Math at BITS. Should I worry? What remedial measures could I take to mitigate my not to stellar academics? GRE Subject Math? CFA? To what extent will they help?
I don't know about your exact grades. But, if you think that your grades may be below the average at your target schools take Maths Subject test of GRE. CFA won't mitigate your average maths.
I'm aiming at the Investment Management industry - Global Macro Hedge Funds to be precise. The dream is quite big and scary though, but then a dream isn't big enough if it doesn't intimidate you.
It's nice that you have a dream, which gives you a starting point (Youngsters today are so focussed, when I was 22, seven years ago, all I cared about was enjoying with my friends 😃 ). However, if I were to suggest you something, it would be this - Ask yourself why is this (Global Macro Hedge Fund) your dream? Is it because of some glamour associated with George Soros and his ilk? Is your dream an intrinsic or a derived dream? Why not a long-short fund or a fund of funds? You said earlier that you aren't looking at quant heavy roles but that's what a Glaobal Macro Hedge Fund is all about - hardcore econometric modeling. That's why I have put these questions to you so that you may reflect and introspect.
Don't get me wrong. I was at the same place a few years ago. I just try to warn people to not get into finance by the big headlines of unmitigated glamour, fame and money. If you'd want, I'd suggest you a thought provoking book which you may like to read.
However, if you decide that finance is your true calling and your dream is a Glabal Macro Hedge Fund, take a hard look at Masters in Financial Economics at Said Business School. That would be my pick from the suite of courses for this career path.
Such kind of experience after undergrad is nearly impossible in India, the best I can hope for is some Financial Analytics experience. What's your take on this?
Try to get into Oxford Said, Princeton, Hass, MIT's MCF in this order. Such an experience isn't very likely in India. Even if you get through to a target company, you will have to go through the paces and work your way up.
Hoping for some replies from stalwarts like TraderJoe1976 & baccardisprite
Hope this helps you. :)
My queries are regarding some of the top Financial Engineering/Computational/Quantitative Finance programs in the USA - UCB Haas, Tepper CMU, NYU Courant,etc.
1) In some cases, the Department of Industrial Engineering & Operations Research runs the Financial Engineering program, instead of the business school. Would such programs be beneficial, considering that we won't be getting as strong career services support? (Columbia, for example). Instead should we focus on programs run by B Schools, like CMU/UCB?
Sorry, rust in peace. Due to hectic schedule, I wasn't able to address your earlier query. But, better late, than never.
There is no difference worry as far as which department of a university runs the program. All the universities / schools you have talked about have excellent reputation and a long standing tradition in FE programs. However, I don't know why you missed out on Princeton MS Finance which is offered at Bendheim Centre for Finance and is regarded as the best MS Finance program in the world by many.
2) In wake of the recent financial and economic crisis, I've heard that the job market for quants has almost become non existent - is this true? I don't aim at hardcore quant roles anyway, but I am simply in love with the curriculum UCB Haas MFE offers.
Job market for quants will NEVER be non existent till the time market become fully efficient (which again means NEVER, the other way round 😉 ). However, I see a divergence here. If you don't want to get into hardcore quant roles, why would you want to apply to such programs. The whole object for doing these programs will be lost. Is the curriculum so good that you will do it ? And if you have researched well do let me know what's so different at Hass's MFE from others.
3) I have an Engineering/Economics background with not so great math grades from BITS Pilani. However, grading was relative, which meant I was above average at Math at BITS. Should I worry? What remedial measures could I take to mitigate my not to stellar academics? GRE Subject Math? CFA? To what extent will they help?
I don't know about your exact grades. But, if you think that your grades may be below the average at your target schools take Maths Subject test of GRE. CFA won't mitigate your average maths.
I'm aiming at the Investment Management industry - Global Macro Hedge Funds to be precise. The dream is quite big and scary though, but then a dream isn't big enough if it doesn't intimidate you.
It's nice that you have a dream, which gives you a starting point (Youngsters today are so focussed, when I was 22, seven years ago, all I cared about was enjoying with my friends 😃 ). However, if I were to suggest you something, it would be this - Ask yourself why is this (Global Macro Hedge Fund) your dream? Is it because of some glamour associated with George Soros and his ilk? Is your dream an intrinsic or a derived dream? Why not a long-short fund or a fund of funds? You said earlier that you aren't looking at quant heavy roles but that's what a Glaobal Macro Hedge Fund is all about - hardcore econometric modeling. That's why I have put these questions to you so that you may reflect and introspect.
Don't get me wrong. I was at the same place a few years ago. I just try to warn people to not get into finance by the big headlines of unmitigated glamour, fame and money. If you'd want, I'd suggest you a thought provoking book which you may like to read.
However, if you decide that finance is your true calling and your dream is a Glabal Macro Hedge Fund, take a hard look at Masters in Financial Economics at Said Business School. That would be my pick from the suite of courses for this career path.
Such kind of experience after undergrad is nearly impossible in India, the best I can hope for is some Financial Analytics experience. What's your take on this?
Try to get into Oxford Said, Princeton, Hass, MIT's MCF in this order. Such an experience isn't very likely in India. Even if you get through to a target company, you will have to go through the paces and work your way up.
Hoping for some replies from stalwarts like TraderJoe1976 & baccardisprite
Hope this helps you. :)
thanks alot Baccardisprite..........
I work as a developer only in infy... can u please throw some light on masters in management programs in Europe. Are they worth doing? i am really confused about this as i have heard many mixed reviews about ms mangement. and if u have any ideas about ms management, technology and economics in ETH Zurich.
Thanks
Masters in Management in Europe aren't of much value at your age, as you don't have the on ground cultural / professional experience (including local languages) to be attractive to employers out there.
Tell us what "you" want to do.... talk to us about how you see your career developing in the next 2-3 years, in the next 5-6 years and beyond that. Talk to me about function (management is vague) - like marketing, operations, technology, R&D;, supply chains etc!! Then what sort of industry / company, then what geography... all short & long term.
Right now, the tone of your posts suggests "I have to get out of here somehow".... that's a career challenge, which education might not necessarily solve for you (wrong answer for the wrong question)!
Take a few days, think and revert! You have time on your side.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Hi Bacardi,
My suggested me to put my dilemma's on the board for your suggestion.
My profile:
10th - 71
12th 85
UG - Chem engg. - 70
Joined SO CALLED GIANT SOFTWARE COMPANY... exp : 3 years 7 months........ skill tester --> insurance domain
An year ago, I started to have liking to this domain
may be bcs that was the time when my manager allowed me to interact with clients, business analysts etc..
So I went in for LOMA FLMI certification...... completed Level 1 of it and level 2 ll start soon...... I plan to complete ALMI designation by the first half of this year.........
Like others I wrote CAT for ****ing 3 years continually but kuch huva nahi....... grrrr but the liking was there.... so, this jan end I sat alone in a pub and wrote all my future plans.... (yes, ALL)..... that contained... to Join MBA for Sep 2012 intake abroad.... ll be writing GMAT soon......
The twists and downfall:
1. My current company has given me a bad performance rating this year. Due to which I am getting really restless to switch..... These ppl are also not giving me onsite so that I can save money for my MBA... Bad performance bad hike... but yes, 3 years 7 months over....... coming Nov I will start to apply for colleges. I do not know whether it is right or not.... HELP NEEDED from you here... I want to know if I switch to another IT company, how will my prospects be in the interviews (MBA)........... I cant tell them this story......
2. Will really an MBA help me to grow in this insurance sector which includes the ALMI designation?
3. I saw many profiles from various international b-schools... rarely find people into insurance domain....
So... a. Is it advantageous?
b. Will it give a good scholarship as I am not financially sound... (I wish I had gone to onsite 😞 )...
oops forgot to mention my achievements and extras:
1. participated in world inter varsity chess championship in Malaysia..
2. Rated chess player
3. My final year project got published in international journal of engineering sciences and technology.
I have 6 more months.... do tell me if I need to do something else to touch my benchmark... I will do that too.. This is bcs I feel it is the right time to do the multitasking !
I would like to get veiws suggestions about my profile
I am an Indian Citizen and 32 yrs old.
Education :- BSc (H) Delhi Unversity
EPBM , IIM kol ( Satellite /Distance program)
I have a total Work experience of 9.5 yrs. in the ITES industry. I am looking forward to apply in the top Asian / Eurpoean institutes.
Please let me know where do I stand with respect to age and my profile
Thanks,
Smita
I am an Indian Citizen and 32 yrs old.
Education :- BSc (H) Delhi Unversity
EPBM , IIM kol ( Satellite /Distance program)
I have a total Work experience of 9.5 yrs. in the ITES industry. I am looking forward to apply in the top Asian / Eurpoean institutes.
Please let me know where do I stand with respect to age and my profile
Thanks,
Smita
10th - 71
12th 85
UG - Chem engg. - 70
Joined SO CALLED GIANT SOFTWARE COMPANY... exp : 3 years 7 months........ skill tester --> insurance domain
An year ago, I started to have liking to this domain may be bcs that was the time when my manager allowed me to interact with clients, business analysts etc. So I went in for LOMA FLMI certification. completed Level 1 of it and level 2 ll start soon. I plan to complete ALMI designation by the first half of this year.Like others I wrote CAT for ****ing 3 years continually but kuch huva nahi. so, this jan end I sat alone in a pub and wrote all my future plans.... (yes, ALL). that contained. to Join MBA for Sep 2012 intake abroad.... ll be writing GMAT soon......
1. My current company has given me a bad performance rating this year. Due to which I am getting really restless to switch..... These ppl are also not giving me onsite so that I can save money for my MBA... Bad performance bad hike... but yes, 3 years 7 months over....... coming Nov I will start to apply for colleges. I do not know whether it is right or not.... HELP NEEDED from you here... I want to know if I switch to another IT company, how will my prospects be in the interviews (MBA)........... I cant tell them this story......
2. Will really an MBA help me to grow in this insurance sector which includes the ALMI designation?
3. I saw many profiles from various international b-schools... rarely find people into insurance domain.... So... a. Is it advantageous?
b. Will it give a good scholarship as I am not financially sound... (I wish I had gone to onsite 😞 )...
oops forgot to mention my achievements and extras:
1. participated in world inter varsity chess championship in Malaysia..
2. Rated chess player
3. My final year project got published in international journal of engineering sciences and technology.
I have 6 more months.... do tell me if I need to do something else to touch my benchmark... I will do that too.. This is bcs I feel it is the right time to do the multitasking !
You sound woefully underconfident and you don't need to be, your profile isn't bad at all. It's just a profile common to most Indian's applying for MBAs abroad. I haven't heard of LOMA/ALMI or any of those qualifications. However your post indicates (not conclusively) that you're interested to buil a career in Insurance. Let's get to your post and your questions.
*So you sat in a "pub" and concluded (correct me if I'm wrong) that you wanted to join an MBA in 2012.
1) What did you conclude around your career?
2) Did you articulate (to yourself) what you wanted to do functionally (marketing, IT, operations etc..), in what type of company / industry, in what geography?
3) Did you analyze your career up to now, and think about your future career sort & long term?
4) If you had an idea of what you want to do going forward (career), did you analyze what skills you already have for that future career versus what skills you need to gain? The skills you need to gain - are they gain-able only through specific / generalist education or professional experience or both????
Answer these questions and you will get sound advice.
*Around CAT - did you prepare well? You are probably well aware that a huge number take the exam and selections are based on 0.01 %ile differences... Perhaps preparing well for it would give you an edge?
Your questions:
1) Sorry to hear about the issues, but education in itself can't be your first escape (refer my comments around career above). Think about how you can combat your rating, and if you have to leave for another IT company, on what criteria would you leave? Hopefully the criteria would be a professional jump, a promotion or a sizeable salary hike. Education can't be your escape.... Think carefully, refer the above comments and come back to us.
2) It's your professional skills, competencies and achievements that help you grow in a career. An MBA provides you with (some) tools to get there, it's an enabling platform.... only 25% of the reason why you might get a job interview or a job; and 0% of why you will grow in that or other jobs (after the MBA). If you're clear about a career in Insurance, acquire some skills / experience before an MBA for 2-3 years, then do the MBA, and you will be able to stand in front of an employer and convince them to hire you based on your skills, competencies and (to some extent) your education. Secondly - Insurance for whom? Life Insurance - which means selling to retail clients, which means understanding the local culture of the place in which you want to work after the MBA... Do you have that? Can you get that now? If you can't you'll have a challenge convincing people to recruit you... So... do you then go towards more corporate / general insurance that you sell to companies instead of individuals??? Which means having to join an Insurance Major with corporate clients (AIG, AVIVA etc).... One way or another you'll need to understand quickly what you want to do in this sector, then choose the right professional qualification (ALMI??), parallel gain 2-3 years experience, then an MBA....
3) a. Can't say, b. scholarships are given to candidates who demonstrate academic & professional achievement before an MBA, so don't think that being in Insurance will offer you anything.
Nice extras by the way....
Hope this helps you channel your thinking..
All the best
Baccardisprite
I would like to get veiws suggestions about my profile
I am an Indian Citizen and 32 yrs old.
Education :- BSc (H) Delhi Unversity
EPBM , IIM kol ( Satellite /Distance program)
I have a total Work experience of 9.5 yrs. in the ITES industry. I am looking forward to apply in the top Asian / Eurpoean institutes. Please let me know where do I stand with respect to age and my profile.
Thanks, Smita
More important than age / profile - what we need to understand is:
1) What do you want to do, functionally? Do you have the skills, all or some of them? What education will address 25% of the gaps, while what skills can you transfer from your pre-MBA career to address the remaining 75% of the gaps?
2) What kind of company / what industry would you like to work in?
3) What geography?
Think about these and come back when you are clear in your mind, you will assuredly get valuable advice. Your age would not restrict you if you take a well thought, risk aware, challenge predictive approach.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Thanks for the elaborate responses, TraderJoe1976 & 1431. It is extremely encouraging and heartwarming to get responses from people who've been there & done that.
There is no difference worry as far as which department of a university runs the program. All the universities / schools you have talked about have excellent reputation and a long standing tradition in FE programs. However, I don't know why you missed out on Princeton MS Finance which is offered at Bendheim Centre for Finance and is regarded as the best MS Finance program in the world by many.
I read on some forums that the programs run by the business schools have a full fledged career services department which usually means you've a better chance of securing a job of your choice whereas with IEOR departments you're kind of on your own. Is this true?
I skipped Princeton MS Fin because I was looking at 1 year programs; Can't afford a 2 year program.
However, I see a divergence here. If you don't want to get into hardcore quant roles, why would you want to apply to such programs. The whole object for doing these programs will be lost. Is the curriculum so good that you will do it ? And if you have researched well do let me know what's so different at Hass's MFE from others.
I don't mind starting out as a hardcore quant, but that's not what I want to do throughout my career.
I don't know about your exact grades. But, if you think that your grades may be below the average at your target schools take Maths Subject test of GRE. CFA won't mitigate your average maths.
I just wanted to know if my not so stellar math grades spell doomsday for my MFE dreams
(after mitigating with GRE Subject Math)Ask yourself why is this (Global Macro Hedge Fund) your dream? Is it because of some glamour associated with George Soros and his ilk? Is your dream an intrinsic or a derived dream? Why not a long-short fund or a fund of funds? You said earlier that you aren't looking at quant heavy roles but that's what a Glaobal Macro Hedge Fund is all about - hardcore econometric modeling. That's why I have put these questions to you so that you may reflect and introspect.
Don't get me wrong. I was at the same place a few years ago. I just try to warn people to not get into finance by the big headlines of unmitigated glamour, fame and money. If you'd want, I'd suggest you a thought provoking book which you may like to read.
Sure, I'd love to read that book. Reading random interesting books was the reason my grades dipped 😛 .
I want to be at a Global Macro HF because I like International Macroeconomics/Finance (academics/research/reading, and had an internship at a Forex Trading Desk) and it probably involves networking with a lot of high profile individuals from the top echelons of politics, policymaking, etc. Glamour is a trivial aspect of it, for me. Might sound naive to you, so please correct me if I am wrong. Where can I learn more about Global Macro HFs? Or HFs in General? It gives me that adrenalin rush.
Basically, I'm really fond of the wannabe-philosopher breed of Investors like Peter Thiel, Soros, Ray Dalio. When I read something they talk about, it seems that they have a deep insight and macro perspective of the world around us, not just finance. They have real purpose in their lives besides making money (which according to them is a residual byproduct of pursuing their principles) - be it opening societies, or meditating and things like that. Somehow, all of these people run Global Macro Hedge funds, so its like killing two birds with one arrow for me - academic interest + deep insight.
However, if you decide that finance is your true calling and your dream is a Glabal Macro Hedge Fund, take a hard look at Masters in Financial Economics at Said Business School. That would be my pick from the suite of courses for this career path.
Such kind of experience after undergrad is nearly impossible in India, the best I can hope for is some Financial Analytics experience. What's your take on this?
Try to get into Oxford Said, Princeton, Hass, MIT's MCF in this order. Such an experience isn't very likely in India. Even if you get through to a target company, you will have to go through the paces and work your way up.
Hoping for some replies from stalwarts like TraderJoe1976 & baccardisprite
Hope this helps you. :)
Sir, this is very helpful!
One of my friends just got an admit from Said for that program.
May I know why you recommend that order specifically for Global Macro Hedge Funds?
How would LSE MSc Finance fare in this regard?
Thanks a ton again for your valuable time and responses!
I would like to get veiws suggestions about my profile
I am an Indian Citizen and 32 yrs old.
Education :- BSc (H) Delhi Unversity
EPBM , IIM kol ( Satellite /Distance program)
I have a total Work experience of 9.5 yrs. in the ITES industry. I am looking forward to apply in the top Asian / Eurpoean institutes.
Please let me know where do I stand with respect to age and my profile
Thanks,
Smita
You need to move fast. GMAT over 700. Perfect fit for IMD (best choice) and INSEAD (second-best choice). Long shot for LBS, Judge, Said, IE, IESE. A bit too much experience for these schools, but entry is still possible. Too old and too much experience for USA FT MBA programs. Try for IMD, INSEAD, LBS, Said, Judge. IIMA PGPX, IIMB, IIMC, ISB, HKUST.
Best of luck.
Thanks a lot for all the suggestions . I was thinking I wont be able to apply at all. While I have said that , I would like am planning to stick to colleges in UK and Asia Pacific only due to financial challenges.
I want to do a full time course. However , would a part time course from the Universities abroad will have the same value or will help me in my career.
I have been in the service industry through out. I am good with people Management and execution. I have currently moved to a role of a Project advisor. I am still not sure if I would like to move into consulting , but I enjoy the role.
What would be the suggestions on the fields I can explore?
I did appear for GMAT last year . I scored bad, a 580. I got 4.5 in essay , 41 on quants and 32 in Verbal. I understand I need to work on my verbal . I have got the 8 guides for Manhanttan. I am planning to start from there.
Thanks,
Smita