PhD upgrade from MSF?

[fredflint]

I am international student and I won a scholarship (Fulbright) to study an MS in Finance in the US. I applied to UIUC, the University of Florida and Boston College; so far I have been accepted to the first two. As I know this is a PhD in Business forum, I wanted to ask if you know how hard it is to make the upgrade from a MSF to a PhD in those schools and what would you suggest to do it. Thank you for your help


BTW if it helps, here is my profile:

- Undergraduate: Economics - GPA 83/100; rank 3/47 (International University);
- Undergrad Majors: Mathematical Economics / Finance
- GRE: Q780 V500
- GMAT: 700
- TOEFL iBT: 108
- Teaching Experience: Time Series Econometrics, Mathematical Economics (Undergraduate Courses)
- Work experience: 4 years in the financial industry.

[Prawler]

Your profile is good for MS in Finance.
The courses you take in undergrad and master's will be very important in your PhD applications. MS is a good way to prepare for the academia. The beneficial part is that if you decide not to go ahead for PhD, you can still find decent jobs in the job market.

I say just go for it.
It's much more better than MBA.

By the way for your main question, just get the courses which will contribute towards your PhD studies. Additionally, by taking these courses you may be exempt from some courses in PhD. So the years you spent in MS will not be wasted.

You should carefully select your targets for PhD and look for what they have for cirriculum. Than try to have similar courses in MS Level.

[fredflint]

Thank you Prawler for your positive feedback. Once in the MSF, when applying to the PhD in the same university, say UIUC, do I apply doing exactly the same as if I was outside? I'm asking because I'm going to do my best but as one can tell from this forum, the competence is fierce!!! and UIUC has a very good program. Thanks in advance to anyone who can contribute with their knowledge...

[Prawler]

I should say that you might have an advantage when applying to the same school which you earned MS. Professors will be already aware of your research potential and they will have a close contact with you in MS program.
I don't know the precedure, but I suppose you apply as if you are applying from outside. Some schools have different policies, you should inquire yourself.

In short, if you are upgrading from MS to PhD, this is a good advantage to have your MS degree in the same school. However, never forget the possibility of candidates,who have a better profile than yours, applying to the school. Your chance may decrease in such case.

Hope this helps,

[fredflint]

thanks again Prawler, I'll wait for Boston College MSF response to decide where to go. By the way, if I get accepted into BC, which program would you recommend thinking in getting into the PhD, UIUC or BC?

[EE570]

I would say BC over UIUC, but it is close.

[darcie]

which is better might depend on your preference or research interest, I prefer UIUC

[calchas]

How does Vanderbilt's MSF compare to BC and UIUC? Thanks.

[asianeconomist]

You should try to go through the profiles of some of the Job Market Candidates in the PhD programs of the respective institutions and ascertain that whether anyone among them continued to the PhD from MSF.

[Prawler]

Well, I am going to PhD directly from undergraduate.
Honestly, my first years will not be easy...

MSF is a great chance to shoot...