Is an MSF for me?

Competitive MSF (Masters of Science in Finance) programs prepare students for career in investment analysis, corporate finance, or financial management.  This degree has similar components as an MBA, but focuses on courses in finance and financial markets over general management courses.

What do you need to know if you are considering an MSF as an option in your future?

MSF programs accept students from a wide variety of educational backgrounds, but there are some common characteristics that stand out among applicants.

• Applicants generally have 2-5 years of work experience.
• The average undergraduate GPA is between 3.3 and 3.6 -- academics do matter!  Top schools expect grades in the 3.5 - 3.8 range.
• The range for GMAT scores is 635-715.  The large majority of students at top MSF schools scared 680 or better.
• Applicants have a strong background in leadership and service.  MSF programs are interested in teaching students who want to be leaders in their careers and communities.
• Although it is not required, schools prefer to see applicants with college-level math skills, basic calculus, statistics, financial accounting, macroeconomics, microeconomics, and corporate finance courses.  If you have not had these courses,particularly statistics, you may be required to take some of them before your MSF courses begin or during your first semester of study.
• Additionally, some schools recommend courses in linear algebra, differential equations, computer programming, and multivariate calculus.

Click here to see the 2009 US News & World Report business school rankings.  This article also contains links to homepages and admissions pages.