The Boston College Master in Finance program is routinely one of the most asked about Master in Finance programs in the US right now and I strive to provide as much information about the program as I possibly can. In the past I have been lucky enough to receive a number of student reviews that have been incredibly helpful. Today I receive another one.
This is a review of the BC masters in finance program from a recent graduate. They took great time to provide this to me in order to help others looking at attending this program. I hope it helps some of you make up your decision.
1. Why a Master’s in Finance? Why Boston College?
I went to a non-target undergrad and really struggled to get any type of job interview in the financial realm beyond companies like Edward Jones. Besides settling, I decided that I would attend a top MSF program to allow for greater opportunities. I applied and was accepted to two schools: Villanova (half scholarship) and Boston College (10% scholarship). It took one trip to Boston for me to fall in love with the campus, the city, and the people. Beyond that, it was a tough choice between the two schools. I ultimately decided on BC due to location (I wanted to stick to the New England region and the BC name has very good recognition).
2. Pros/Cons of the degree and program (if any)?
Pros: All of your classes are a mix of MBAs, MSFs, and MSAs. This allowed me to get exposure to, and work with, a lot of different people with different backgrounds. The degree allows you to explore what side of finance you enjoy without committing to a job. BC has great professors that are willing to help you out. The staff are very friendly and make it a point to know you. Great opportunity to be a part of undergrad recruiting (if you have <1yr work experience). Undergrad has a very strong recruiting base that you can tap into.
Cons: Fairly weak OCR for pure Master in Finance students. Either you are stuck with the undergrads or you are competing with the MBAs. Very few companies are recruiting for purely MSFs. The program (like most others) is expensive + Boston is an expensive place to be which could = student loans. Classes can be fairly large since it is a mix of all the other graduate programs.
3. Who would you recommend an MSF for?
I would recommend the MSF for someone who does not have a strong finance background but is looking to break into the industry. However, that is for someone with 0-1yr work experience. The degree can be a good boost for that student. On the flip side, it can be a good boost if you are an experienced finance guy/gal but are stuck at your company in a particular role. The MSF can be a good way to progress your career (BC also has a part-time program).
4. Anything else you’d like to talk about regarding the program?
Don’t go into the program expecting to get recruited by top bulge bracket banks or high profile asset management firms. The reality is, those jobs are extremely competitive and usually go to people with solid credentials. Successful Master in Finance students had a solid background (even if they were straight from undergrad), networked like crazy, and chased any lead they could get.
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Here is a link to the Boston College Masters in Finance Program
