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Program FAQs

Is English proficiency required for international applicants?

Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is required for all international applicants whose native language is not English. Non-native English language speakers may be exempt from this requirement if they have earned or will be earning a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree with grades of B (3.0) or better from either:

  • A regionally accredited U.S. college or university where English is the sole language of instruction, or
  • A foreign college or university which provides instruction solely in English. You may verify whether your institution meets this requirement by looking up your institution in the IAU World Higher Education Database (WHED). If English is not the sole language of instruction listed, if no language is listed at all, or if the institution does not appear on the WHED website, you are required to submit English proficiency exam scores. No other documentation (e.g. letters, language certificates, school websites) may be used in place of WHED as a means to obtain an exemption from the English proficiency requirement. 

The Rady School accepts TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE English language tests.

Will the application be reviewed before or after the program deadline?

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so once we receive all the pieces of your application file, the Faculty Admissions Committee will begin reviewing your application.

Will I be interviewed as part of the application process?

Interviews are a required part of the Master of Finance admissions process and are by invitation only. Interviews for the MFin are completed via an online and asynchronous interviewing platform.

Is there a word limit on Statement of Purpose?

Your Statement of Purpose should be no longer than 500 words, double-spaced, 12-point font.

Program Eligibility

I will complete my bachelor's degree in the spring and will not have any professional work experience. Will you consider my application for admission to the Master of Finance?

Work experience is not required for the Master of Finance program, but is recommended. If you do not have work experience, we will want to understand why you believe now is the right time for you to pursue the Master of Finance degree, and we will expect to see excellent academic records, relevant undergraduate internships, extracurricular activities, etc.

Do I need a business background to apply to the program?

Business coursework or work experience is not required for the Master of Finance program.

I have some quantitative or computing background, but not in all the areas listed. Can I apply to and be successful in the program?

The Master of Finance curriculum emphasizes both the mathematical foundations for financial decision-making and computer-driven data analysis. Many applicants will be stronger in one of these areas than the other. Applicants with strength in one area can be successful in admissions and then will develop additional skills in the program.

What are the minimum GMAT or GRE scores for the Rady Master of Finance program?

There is no minimum requirement; however, we will be looking particularly at the strength of your performance in the quantitative sections. Strong scores may serve to balance lower undergraduate academic performance and are good predictors of how well students will do in the required core classes. GMAT or GRE scores in one sitting are evaluated, not averaged from multiple sittings.

I'm a college senior. Am I eligible to apply to the Master of Finance program?

The Rady School welcomes applications from undergraduates who have excelled academically and personally and who can articulate their reasons for continuing directly to the Master of Finance program. Undergraduate majors in quantitative, engineering or technical disciplines are particularly relevant, but these are by no means the only majors we consider. Please contact the Rady Master of Finance Admissions Office for more information.

Does the Rady School accept students with advanced degrees?

The Rady School welcomes applications from individuals who have already completed advanced study in science, engineering, technology, or other quantitative disciplines.

What are the knowledge prerequisites for the Rady Master of Finance program?

The Master of Finance curriculum emphasizes both mathematical foundations for financial decision-making and computer driven data analysis. Applicants should have an understanding of linear algebra, specifically matrix manipulation, and differential calculus and taking derivatives. It is also recommended to have some exposure to programming or computational tools such as Python, MATLAB, C/C++, etc.  Admitted applicants who enroll into the Master of Finance will be required to complete pre-arrival Python courses on DataCamp.com before the start of the program in September.