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Master of Finance Admissions

We are thrilled you are considering the Rady School of Management for your Master of Finance. The Rady Admissions team takes a holistic approach to reviewing all applicants and in recruiting a cohort that reflects academic excellence, innovation, diverse perspectives and hard work. We encourage you to explore the application process, meet our advisors, and to take the time to put together a high quality application that reflects you and your career aspirations. This is your opportunity to invest in yourself and make the impact you want to have on the world.

While most applicants have undergraduate degrees in finance, economics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, or statistics, other majors will also be considered. Post-university work, internships, or research experience in a quantitative discipline is also considered.

Candidates are required to submit an official GMAT or GRE score. A free GMAT Mini-Quiz is available for you to get a feel for the examination.

A strong quantitative background is required, as evidenced by a high quantitative score on the GRE or GMAT.

Experience with statistical applications and programming is favorably considered (Examples: Python, SAS, STATA, MatLab, R, S-Plus). If you are new to Python we recommend you also complete a course on programming in Python from Data Camp or Coursera

Contact us for information on upcoming deadlines.

START NEW APPLICATION

 

Fall 2024 Application Deadlines

MFin
  • Round 1: October 15, 2023
  • Round 2: December 1, 2023
  • Round 3: February 1, 2024
  • Round 4 (Fellowship & International Deadline): April 1, 2024
  • Round 5 (Domestic Deadline): May 15, 2024

 

Program Start Date: September 2024

Admitted students who enroll in the program are required to arrive on campus in time for the MFIN Program Orientation in early September 2024  (exact dates to be determined for 2024). 

*Applicants who apply by the Special Fellowship Consideration deadline have priority consideration for all donor supported and special fellowships (including all fellowships listed here).

Watch: Master of Finance Application Tips and Ticks: How to put your best application forward

 

Application Checklist

Application Form

Fill out the application form online.

Transcripts

Provide unofficial academic transcripts by uploading a PDF (front and back sides of each page) directly into the online application. Official transcripts are not required until you are offered admission by UC San Diego.

For international applicants ONLY:  http://grad.ucsd.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants/records-transcripts.html — All international transcripts require an official translation into English by a certified translator. International applicants must submit a certified copy of their diploma indicating the degree received.

Upon Provisional Admission to UC San Diego

Beginning with the Fall 2023 admissions cycle, all admitted, international applicants are required to complete and submit a WES Course-by-Course evaluation. Please go to wes.org to create your account. You will be prompted to input your academic history, and will then be provided with a list of documents required for the completion of your evaluation. Applicants with academic work in progress who expect to complete a degree program before the intended date of enrollment at UCSD must provide evidence of degree conferral and a final academic transcript as soon as they are available.

Please do not send official documents to the Graduate Admissions Office. As an international applicant, you must submit a WES Course-by-Course evaluation via WES once you have been admitted for your admission to UC San Diego to be finalized.

Resume or CV

Submit your up-to-date resume or CV.

Quantitative Background

Provide details regarding your experience with computational programming (for example, C++) and with statistical, econometrics and mathematical applications and tools (for example, SAS, Stata, MatLab, R, S-Plus, Mathematica).

Recommendations

All applicants are required to submit two recommendations. It is highly encouraged that recommendations be submitted online. It is most important that recommendations be completed by individuals who are in a position to analyze your ability and academic promise.

Statement of Purpose

Your Statement of Purpose should be no longer than 500 words, double-spaced, 12-point font. Tell us why you think that you are a good candidate for the Master of Finance program and how you expect the specific features of the program at Rady to benefit your future career.

GMAT or GRE Scores

GRE/GMAT scores are required for applicants to the Master of Finance program. Please note you may submit your application before taking the GMAT or GRE scores but you should be aware that your application will be considered incomplete and will not be moved forward or reviewed until scores are received and verified by the Rady Admissions Office.
  • The code for the GMAT is 3NS-ZK-27
  • The code for the GRE is 4836

The Rady Admissions Office encourages all applicants to prepare appropriately for these examinations. Study can be done individually, in classroom environments, or online. Though the Rady School does not endorse any particular test prep organization, the following are organizations that have been utilized successfully by previous applicants:

If you are a prospective student with a degree from an accredited university in the United States and evidence of strong quantitative ability, for instance taking college calculus and linear algebra, you can make a formal request for a GRE/GMAT exam waiver. You may send the written request, along with your most recent transcripts and resume, to MFin@rady.ucsd.eduYour request will be considered by the Admissions Committee who will determine if your background qualifies for a waiver.

TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Score (for international applicants only)

  • TOEFL scores are to be sent from ETS to institutional code 4836. Minimum scores for TOEFL: 90, however, competitive applicants’ average scores are above 100.
  • IELTS scores are to be sent directly from the British Council or test-taking institution. The minimum IELTS score is 7. Select University of California, San Diego as the institution and have them released electronically to Rady/UC San Diego
  • PTE test takers must select the University of California, San Diego as a score recipient, then submit a copy of your scores directly to our Graduate Admissions office at: Rady School of Management, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive #0553, La Jolla, CA 92093-0553. Include your registration ID number and exam date on your application. Official scores will be verified online. The minimum PTE score is 65.

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. 

Application Fee

The application fee is $135 for Domestic Applicants,  $155 for International Applicants. The non-refundable fee is payable by credit card through the online application. You may also pay by check, following the instructions in the online application. If you choose to pay by check, please note that your application will not be processed until your check has been received. Your application cannot be reviewed until the application fee is paid.

After You Apply

The Rady School admissions team works as quickly as possible to review your application. Applications are reviewed as they are received and decisions made on a rolling basis.

  • After you submit your application, you will receive an automatic email confirmation. It is your responsibility to make sure all parts of your application are complete.
  • Once you have submitted a complete application, it will be reviewed within four to eight weeks to determine if the admissions committee would like to schedule an interview.  Interviews are completed via an online and asynchronous interviewing platform. The Rady Admissions Office reserves the right to request live interviews in certain cases.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact the Rady Admissions Office.