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If you have additional questions about the Waterloo Full-Time MFin that are not covered below, contact the MFin office at mfin@wlu.ca and we will be pleased to assist you.
If you passed the CFA level one exam and completed a previous degree in North America, the GMAT requirement can be waived.
We do accept GRE. We use the ETS’s conversion tool to convert GRE score to GMAT score.
We do consider whether you passed any of the CFA exams and/or relevant industry working experience as a substitute for a business degree.
Work experience is not required. However, strong previous internships and co-op experiences are preferable.
You need to provide all required documentation. We consider completed applications only.
Please check the status of your application online and make sure all required documents have been submitted. We will not consider incomplete applications. If your application is completed before the first consideration deadline, it will be processed in Jan. and you should receive a decision on whether you will receive an interview invitation by the end of Jan. If your application is completed after the first consideration deadline, it will be considered on a space available basis.
Admission is very competitive. Acceptance rate is about 10% across the non-co-op stream with the rate significantly lower for the co-op stream.
We typically admit 15 co-op and 20 non-co-op students every year.
We continue to consider applications on a space available basis after the deadline. However, space is limited and competition is high. You are encouraged to apply early.
Your application will be considered separately for each program.
Applying for multiple program does not necessarily affect your chances. However, the career directions are different for different programs. Career goals and motivation are important considerations when we screen the applications. We encourage you to apply to programs that are consistent with your career goals.
Our MFin program does help the students to prepare for the CFA® exams because we cover almost 100% of the CFA curriculum. However, our program is not a CFA® prep program. Topics covered in the courses go beyond the CFA material. Students in the program will be exposed to in-depth analysis of financial theory and contemporary issues in the financial markets. Our students develop quantitative analysis skills that will help them in financial and investment analysis, learn how to apply theories and models in a real situation, and much more.
Each of the MFin courses contain term projects. Some of the term projects are more industry oriented and others are a more academic type of research project. Students will learn how to conduct research and apply theories in analyzing practical issues in these projects. For students who want greater exposure to academic research, we offer an elective, MF783: Major Research Paper, where students are paired with faculty members based on their research interests. The faculty member will supervise and direct the student to complete a major research paper.
Students are required to complete extensive mandatory training of Excel, VBA and Bloomberg terminals in the first term of the program.
At the university level, the Co-op Office help students to schedule interviews with companies hiring on campus and the Career Development Centre provides various training and workshops to help students prepare for the job market. At Lazaridis School of Business and Economics level, the MFin program also provides career consulting and advices to current students.
Co-op placement is not guaranteed. Co-op students apply for co-op positions posted by companies. The companies select those students they wish to interview. Interviews start in Oct. for placements in the winter term. If a co-op student fails to secure a position in the fall term, he/she can continue interviews in the winter term. After two terms, a co-op student without co-op job offer will be converted to the non-co-op stream.
Plan A is for students receiving co-op job offers in the fall term. If a student is unsuccessful in securing co-op job to start in the winter term, he or she will be in Plan B. We recommend our co-op students to try their best and follow Plan A. Plan B is an alternative to give our students more time to secure a co-op placement.
Non-co-op students cannot be converted into the co-op stream.
Non-co-op students are required to complete their studies in three consecutive terms.
The priority deadline is Jan. 5 for the September intake of our full-time co-op and full-time regular stream programs. We will continue to take strong applications until the program is full.
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Waterloo Full-Time MFin
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