Seeking advice on selecting between two master’s programs to enter the finance field:
Option 1: Georgetown University - Master of Real Estate (MRE) specializing in finance from the School of Continuing Studies
Option 2: American University - Master of Science in Finance (STEM track)
Background: I’m an international student on asylum status with a degree in architectural engineering and no finance experience
Career aspirations: Aim to enter Investment Banking or Private Equity, eventually pursuing an MBA at a prestigious institution like Wharton or Booth
Concerns:
- The AU program seems better suited for finance careers, while Georgetown has a stronger brand recognition
- I have apprehensions that attending Georgetown’s SCS might negatively affect my job prospects compared to their primary business school
- It’s important for me to ensure that the investment I make leads to a profitable job before the MBA
- As someone without finance experience, I want to choose a program that enhances my chances of being placed in a strong finance position
Tuition details: AU has given me a $20k scholarship, making my total costs around $60k, whereas Georgetown’s tuition is $55k
Which program offers a more favorable opportunity for securing a reputable finance job? I’m also curious about employers’ perspectives on SCS degrees as opposed to traditional finance master’s programs.
Thank you for your support!
honestly? both options are rough if you’re serious about ib/pe. these fields are brutal for career changers, especially without a finance background.
if i had to choose, i’d go georgetown. people don’t want to admit it, but brand recognition matters. yeah, scs isn’t mcdonough, but it’s still georgetown on your resume. plus, real estate finance can be a backdoor into bigger finance roles.
eu’s msf is more direct, but let’s be real - neither program will magically land you at goldman sachs. you’d probably be better off starting at smaller firms and working your way up rather than betting everything on prestige.
I went through the same thing a few years ago - different programs but same brand vs practical choice dilemma. Here’s what I learned: AU’s STEM designation is crucial for you. That extra OPT time isn’t just nice to have - it’s essential for international students breaking into finance. I’ve watched talented people land amazing offers only to lose them because of visa timing. Georgetown’s name won’t help if you can’t work long enough to prove yourself. Plus, don’t sleep on AU’s technical finance foundation - you’ll be competing against people who’ve been running DCFs since undergrad.
Go with American University’s MSF program. Georgetown’s brand won’t help much here - their MRE program doesn’t teach the technical finance skills you need for IB/PE. Real estate finance is way too niche compared to the financial modeling and valuation work you’ll be doing. Plus, Georgetown SCS has a stigma problem - recruiters know it’s not the same as McDonough. AU’s MSF gives you STEM status, which means 36 months of OPT instead of 12. That’s huge for international students trying to break into finance. The extra $5k is nothing compared to what you’ll make later. Pick the program that actually prepares you for the job you want.
the MRE vs MSF debate isn’t the real issue here. coming from architecture with no finance background means you’ll have to grind hard to break into IB/PE regardless of which program you pick. AU’s STEM track actually matters more than brand names when you need visa sponsorship - that flexibility could be a game changer.
AU’s MSF hands down! That STEM designation is golden for your visa situation. Focus on building those core finance skills first - you can always leverage Georgetown’s network later through your MBA. Start strong, climb smart!