Admission Essay: Masters in Finance

The financial infrastructure of both America and China has always been intriguing since childhood. I was raised in China and had the unique opportunity to observe the spiritual and honorable characteristics applied to business strategies and entrepreneurial endeavors. While each country has had immense success financially, it has been interesting to analyze and critique the importance of morality and integrity as applied to financial management. I am passionate about pursuing a financial career that not only proves lucrative but implements an integrative foundational approach involving supreme moral judgment, integrity and a degree of virtuosity that is incomparable.

I have realized throughout my educational career that I possess a particular affinity for quantitative analysis. I thoroughly enjoy accurately interpreting and analyzing financial data. This innate skill has been consistently honed through my field experiences thus far. In a recent internship, my professional motivations for pursuing a Masters in Finance was cultivated and solidified. I was able to specifically focus on asset management, and understand the vital role that information systems can play in generating useful data. Additionally, I am well versed in the Matlab tool, which allowed me to manipulate data in ways that proved effective for my organization. I would like to continue to learn how technological advances in Information systems can translate to making financial management that much more seamless and effective for both larger organizations and personal portfolios. As a short-term goal following my graduate education, I would like to become a financial/quantitative analyst. This position will combine the analysis, knowledge of information systems, and exposure to emerging financial markets that will be requisite in propelling me towards my long-term goal of becoming a global capital investment manager. I believe that a financial analyst that is well versed in computer systems analysis and information technology will be that much more prepared to predict long and short term financial gains and losses. My ultimate goal is to start a consulting firm focusing on financial management for corporations and individuals. I would like to establish a platform to teach others about the stock market while providing up-to-date resources on markets that are fluctuating on a positive and negative curve.

The opportunity to pursue a Masters Degree in Finance from the Robert H. Smith School of Business affords a rare opportunity to combine my professional and personal motivations for pursuing a career in financial management. This degree will provide the transferable skills needed to be an effective financial manager and an international finance consultant as well as locally. The program’s focus on econometrics is particularly appealing because this will deepen my knowledge of the collaborative role that computer science and statistical methods play in economic relations. This will help fuse my quantitative ability and the intricacies of modern finance. It is also imperative to be well versed in innovative and emerging theories and tools to successfully navigate the rapidly fluctuating economic world. The coursework at the business school will rigorously provide the understanding that I need of the theoretical framework behind finance. A core foundation, in theory, will strengthen my aptitude as a financial professional. A financial crisis is an impeding fear and reality for many organizations today. I would like to be in a position to formulate viable solutions and sustainable tools that will aid in a promising economic future for my clients. An education at Robert H. Smith will enable me with new tools to survive as a prospective financial analyst and eventual virtuous consultant firm owner in these truly revolutionary economic times.