With MiF from LBS to PhD - am I crazy?!

[Sorge]

Hi everybody!

I got admitted to the LBS MiF program. I would like to know if the MiF program is suitable as a foundation for a PhD in Finance.

I know that it is generally considered a practical program, but there are three PhD seminars available, and a lot of quant/modeling courses as well. Could those seminars plus quant courses help me in entering a PhD? My A-targets are LBS & LSE programs.

I have a research background, (more as a practitioner) plus I already have a MSc in finance (Eastern Europe though) with econometrics and modelling classes with research paper at the end.

Or after gradiation from LBS I must enter LSE for a more theoretical program?

I won't mind finding a job, but at the same time I have some research ideas, thus I could't sleep well

[NewBoston]

For what it is worth, I just finished one of the more 'practical' finance programs at LSE and was unsuccessful in gaining admission to the LSE PhD in Finance (even before I had my final grades.) I am happy to be attending a top 25 Finance PhD program in the states this fall (UW-Seattle,) but I was not overly successful in gaining admission to a top 10 program.

The next admission cycle may or may not be as hard as this last one. My full profile is in the results thread.

[Sorge]

Haha

I was considering entering exactly the same risk program at LSE that you finished, because I will already have MiF in Finance, thus I wanted something more quant, and I am interested in risk.On the other hand, I don't have the quant background needed for the EME and Risk answer Stochastics program.

Would, in your view, LSE Risk Mgmt program be beneficial for a LBS MiF guy with quant concentration and general finance background who wants to become a PhD? Or I have chances if I apply directly, based on the PhD seminars available here?

P.S. This forum rocks

[NewBoston]

If you were happy to enter a top 25 program, I would pull the trigger on the PhD already and get applications out. Maybe 5-15 apps depending on if you just want to test the water or if you are hell bent on getting into a PhD program. That being said, if you have to stay in the UK, your options are limited to LSE, LBS and Oxbridge if you are chiefly concerned with prestige and even then, Oxbridge is not even close to LSE/LBS. Also, because of the applied nature of the program, you may have some problems (I know I did.) However, at this point, I really struggle to see how another MSc would help, even if it was EME or some other relevant quant program given it would be on top of the MiF and another Masters.

If you are interested in considering a program outside the UK, then it would really be time to get apps out as long as you have 'enough' math and a GMAT around 650+++.

However, there is more to all of this than just getting into a top program. You also need to be pretty sure of your research interests (in the UK more than elsewhere.) In fact, for the LSE app, you pretty much need to have an outline of a major research project ready for your application. The US apps are looking for a more general statement of research interests. Once you are able to nail down your interests, you really should look at which programs are strongest in those areas. I cannot stress this enough. There is no point to attending a program with few or no faculty with similar research interests. If there is one person who shares your research interests and they are uninterested in your ideas, you could be sunk around half way through the program.