As a BC MSF graduate, I somehow feel obligated to share some thoughts with you since no one replies, even though I am not in a finance PhD program now.
So, be aware that I might be biased.
First, if you have no previous exposure to finance courses, a M.S. Finance training would generally help you, especially when you don't have a US bachelor's degree.
Theoretically, you don't have to get a M.S. Finance to be admitted in a finance PhD program. But you might have the chancet to know the finance professors and obtain strong recommendation letters when you are in a M.S.Finance program. This applies perhaps to all M.S.F programs. In case of BC, the finance professors there are well respected in the fiance academic world. This means that their recommendation letters are good to have.
Second, the BC MSF program is designed for helping you get a job in either financial industry or corporate finance area. The program is one of the best similar programs in the US in terms of reputation and alumni network. You might be able to capitalize on these if you want to get a job in finance in the US, especially in the new England area.
Third, in my opinion, your chances for finance PhD really depends on your background, your target PhD programs and your performance in the M.S.F program (if you choose to do a M.S.F). The reasons is that what you learn in the M.S.Finance program is similar to what you learn in high school physics. This means that you learn common sense in the M.S.F. (But don't look down those common senses. They can get you a job. ) On the other hand, once you are on the PhD level, what you will learn is very different from what is taught in the M.S.F program. Or we can say that you will learn college physics which uses calculas.
Four, quite a few BC MSF graduates got in finance PhD programs. Had they not been BC MSF graduates, they might still have chances to become finance students. Being a BC MSF graduate definitely didn't hurt their chances.
Five, CFA helps you more, or we should say it is a must, with career develpment in asset management. Some CFAs do become finance PhD students. But I suspect that's the result of other credentials of theirs, not CFA. Does having a CFA hurts your chance of becoming a finance PhD student? I don't think so.
But, I think professors would rather choose a candidate with research experience than a CFA without research experience.
Hope this helps.
Hi, Everyone Given my background in science, do you guys think the BC MS in finance is a good preparatory program if I eventually want to apply for a finance PhD? I am inspired by this guy: http://assets.wharton.upenn.edu/~gantchev/Curriculum_Vitae.html PS, will CFA help the PhD finance application for my case (science background)? Thank you guys. -- by 会员 enhancer00 (2010/2/19 2:57:58)
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发表于 2010-2-19 02:57:58
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