Columbia B-School NEW Masters program- Opinions? Is it worth it?
Hi guys,
So, I've been admitted into this very new Masters program at Columbia Business School - Masters of Science Accounting and Fundamental Analysis. 2017 would be the program's first batch to enrol.
A lot of you guys are quite switched on, hence I'd be very keen to hear your views
Pros:
-It's taught by some very well known, well credentialed and well respected accounting, finance and value investing professionals at Columbia.
-The courses look more finance related and accounting theory and quantitative based as opposed to purely accounting, which is what you may find in a MS in Accounting at say NYU.
-It's at Columbia, a top Ivy, therefore in NYC, therefore at the centre of business.
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Opportunity for summer internship with investment funds in NYC
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Columbia is where value investing as an academic discipline commenced. The principles of value investing and accounting are very applicable to both business and investment analysis
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1 year program
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Courses are often taken together with PHD students. Columbia's PHD students are undoubtedly top tier
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the program is stated to be between a regular masters and a phd in terms of academic rigour.
Cons
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Not sure of the market's awareness of this program given that it's so new. GSB's other Masters in Science programs are quite well regarded; often enrolling just 10 or so students out of a pool of 400 plus applicants, leading to a selectivity rate higher than most elite MBAs, including Columbia's!
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Overshadowed by Columbia's MBA students and to a lesser extent by NYU's.
I'd be looking for Associate level jobs in buy side and sell side firms in NYC during and post graduation
Thanks guys, appreciate your views.
Can I know what other offers you have on hand?
Hi,
Nothing to name as yet.
So, what do you think?
Thanks
Even though it is a new program, it still gets the brand name of "Columbia", plus it's more finance oriented, I'd say it's worth a shot.
Take it at least you'll get bragging rights that you went to an ivy
Thanks guys for the feedback,
MoneyisHappiness - What about getting a role in a mid tier buy side fund in NYC afterwards? Apparently, the degree is designed to do just that…
Can you elaborate on work experience? GPA/GMAT is quite good... Surprised you didn't get into Columbia MBA
Sounds like a complete scam.
Esuric - care to elaborate ?
So, could you aware us ?
.
Why did you delete your previous comment?
I'm sure its a good program, look into which professors they have running some of the fundamental analysis courses. I really don't think CBS would put their reputation on the line launching a half-assed masters program. Depending on the path you decide to go down, this degree would probably pair nicely with CFA and you wouldn't need an MBA down the road.
Sure, sounds like fair advice. The professors who run the course are heavy hitters - being purely objective here - they each sit on the boards of a few investment funds.
CBS's other Masters programs seem to be very hard to get into. For instance, the MS in Marketing has an average GMAT of 750 - only 10 admits, so small sample size, but still.
The Ms in Fin Econ - average GMAT of 730.
Columbia is known for launching half-assed masters programs. It's a fucking cash cow. Everyone and their mother has a masters from Columbia in NY.
If there is one thing to love about NY it's all the moms with MBAs.. notice I said CBS. Any of the top schools within Columbia are not half assed degrees, they probably have top graduate programs in NY across the board in Journalism, Business, Teaching, Nursing, Engineering, Law. Anything in general arts and sciences yea probably half assed but even those still carry the brand name. Every school is a cash cow, some are just worth the cash.
majorkeyalert
Do you already have a work Visa for the US?
Good question. No.
You're proposing a move to a foreign country, without work authorization, incurring $100k in costs (not counting your current salary), leaving your current employment and into one of the most expensive cities in the world. That's your cost, so what is the move offering you to offset that? It would be steep irrespective of the program but that doesn't mean it isn't worth it.
Email the school and ask if the program qualifies for the H-1B STEM extension. If it does, you'll have 3 shots at getting the H-1B Visa and so it might be worth it. If it doesn't qualify, I don't think it makes sense you do the program.
So, would you suggest to enrol? Thanks
Sorry but being from a country that is US ally doesn't mean shit when it comes to getting hired or H1B.
Ok thanks
Unless you have some sort of banking / consulting experience, it's unlikely you would be recruiting for associate level positions (i.e. not entry level) at either buy or sell side firms, especially since this is a new program.
Also, given it is a one-year program, when are you planning on doing this summer internship? I'd assume you were admitted for a Fall 2017 start, and any respectable place that has an internship program has probably already filled their seats. Now, given that you will be in NYC, you might be able to swing an internship during the school year, but if the program is as rigorous as you describe (between a masters and PhD), you probably won't have time to do so.
All of this isn't to say that you should or shouldn't do the program. That's really not for any of us to decide. Even if we have a full understanding of your situation, the ultimate decision needs to be made by you since you'll be the one impacted by it. As someone who has been in your shoes before, I understand the hope for someone else to be able to make this call.
Good answer. Thanks
Hey! I am applying this program for the 2018/2019 batch. I am interested to know how does the program fit into the career track of consulting. I want to be a either financial or strategy consultant after a master degree.
Hey! I am applying this program for the 2018/2019 batch. I am interested to know how does the program fit into the career track of consulting. I want to be a either financial or strategy consultant after a master degree.
Be careful with new programs, Columbia has launched a couple of new programs in many departments in the past few years, none of which has proved to have any real help to students' job hunting. Although it takes time to build reputation for a program and these programs have a great possibility to become some of the top programs in the country, they have very limited influence on the job market in their first three years. There are many Master programs in many top universities across US that promised the courses are very hard core, but only a very small portion of those delivered. After all, a Master's program is job-oriented, not academic-oriented, you can't expect it to enpower you with the knowledge you need. A better way to think about it is to consider it as a platform for you to explore people in the industry and opportunities. I'd say it's worth a shot if you don't have offer from other programs that have already built a reputation. Persoanlly, I pick NYU and Baruch over this new program at Columbia.
I know a guy who did a different one year Master's program at Columbia and then went to work for a bulge bracket in New York. Definitely possible.
Interested as well. Is STEM designed? Can you share your profile man? I think Columbia is an insurance choice: ivy doesn't lie. Let me know
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