Hello tentop,
Thanks for your advice. However, I have decided to not apply to any more programs (other than the ones I previously mentioned) this year. I am satisfied with the choices I have made. However, I think the same issue of getting an analyst versus associate position may occur for me because of my age, which is typically brought up in my interviews (I recently turned 22). I have accomplished quite a bit in my career for my age, thought I believe I could still get an associate position out of the IE Master in Finance program if I were to start networking yesterday. And as I mentioned before, I would become proficient in
C++, SQL, and Java programming as it relates to finance before program start date. For me, it is easy to get an interview; the challenge is convincing a hiring manager why I should get a job over more seasoned applicants.
And regarding the IE Master in Finance Program, although it is not marketed as a financial engineering program, the program includes Financial Programming courses for learning
C++, MATLAB, and Visual Basic; and it does include programming for derivaticves (I learned this from an IE representative).
I also found it odd that there was no mention of the IE program. However, the forums list of top programs are all American.
The career placement report is attached. Top firms recruit from the program, including UBS, Nomura, and Satander. The average starting salary is low (mainly because most of the graduates are analyst), however, job placement can be largely increased by a person's ability to network and persuade (two things I do very well).
Overall, I believe the IE program is very great in terms of course structure, exposure to professionals from top investment firms, faculty (most of whom are practictioners and graduates of top universities). The program also offers a cultural and linguistic education; student can choose to learn Spanish during the program and take intensive Spanish language training during the 2 months prior to program start date (which I plan to take advantage of (yes, I am ending with a preposition)). The backdrop of Madrid is a draw to many students outside of Europe, including myself.
The career statistics leave much to be desired. Though this can be easily circumvented with determination; I was able to start my career at 20 with a degree from a "crappy state college". And I know several persons whom graduated with me who got job offers at Lehman in I-Banking, GE Real Estate in financial analytics, and Citi in Derivative Analystics, despite attending "a crappy state school" and earning lower than a 3.5 GPA. It is possible, and my career is also proof to that fact.
And regarding my GMAT score.......620! It is not great by no means. But consider this, my application has to be super strong to pull the attention of Admission Officers from IE, Darden, and Duke!!!