The Swiss Finance, School of Business Advantage

Admissions Questions

How selective is Swiss Finance, School of Business?
Swiss Finance, School of Business is highly selective. Since inception, Swiss Finance, School of Business has consistently received far more applications from prospective students than the number of spaces available in our programs. While most of these applicants are qualified to attend, we are unable to offer admission to all of them. Because we are an international school, we seek to create a balanced geographic distribution. For more information of qualities of successful applicants, look here.

Who can apply?
We seek excellence, passion, and integrity in our applicants. If these qualities describe you, we invite you to apply. There is no minimum requirement for work experience. Individuals who do not have work experience but who can demonstrate ability in other aspects of their application, are welcome to apply. We seek diversity in industry and educational backgrounds and all academic concentrations and professions are welcome to apply. We also accept applications from undergraduate students with unique accomplishments who are in their final year of study or who are within one year of graduation at the time of commencing their MBA studies at Swiss Finance. Graduate students including those in engineering, sciences and arts, or those with a law degree, as well as doctoral students from non-business fields are eligible to apply. If you have questions regarding your eligibility, please email us.

How do I apply? What are the application requirements?
US Applicants: For the MBA degree program, we require GPA, class rank, standardized test scores for GMAT, resume and two essays about past and current achievements.
European and other non-US applicants: Applicants must provide their class rank, as well as a complete description of grades, coursework, and academic qualifications. If you have taken the GMAT, you are required to submit these scores.

Our application is available online. To start an application, click here.

After filling out the application online, do I need to send anything else?
After submitting the online application, sending us your GMAT scores and recommendation letters, and paying the application fees online, your application is complete!

What is the application deadline?
Please visit the dates and fees page for the most current deadlines. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications are accepted throughout the year and admission decisions are made in the order that applications are received. As soon as our class reaches capacity, we stop accepting applications for that year.

An early application increases your chance of being offered admission. We recommend serious applicants to apply before January. After that time, applicants are likely to compete for a more limited number of remaining places. Irrespective of the deadline, we encourage you to apply well before the stated date as space is very limited and our classes quickly reach capacity.

Can I start classes at any time of the year?
No. The orientation module, required for all new students, is held annually during May/June.

Do you require admissions interviews?
No, we do not require admissions interviews, nor are we able to offer them. We are not able to accommodate requests for phone interviews; however, admissions is always available to assist applicants with questions on the telephone or through email.

I intend to apply to a future program.
You may start the application process by logging into our system. Alternatively, you may subscribe to email updates related to future Swiss Finance, School of Business programs and events by creating a new account here.

What is the language of instruction? Do I need to submit TOEFL scores if I am a non-native speaker of English?
The language of instruction is only English. Non-native speakers of English are not required to submit TOEFL scores. We are able to make a determination using other aspects of the application.

I see that application requirements include both GPA (Grade Point Average) and GMAT scores. Do you have cut-offs for grades and/or test scores?
No. When reviewing applications, we look at the admissions criteria (GPA, GMAT scores, resume, recommendation letters and essays) as a whole. If you have a strong interest in attending one of our programs, we encourage you to invest time in writing strong essays and submit an early application. We are looking for well-rounded individuals, and we understand that an applicant’s talent and potential cannot be measured by grades and test scores alone. If your grades and/or standardized test scores are of particular concern to you, a great way to distinguish yourself is through your essays.

I am really interested in applying to the MBA program, but don't have substantial work experience. Will this have an adverse impact on my admission?
We do not require that you have finance or business background. Our teaching methodology focuses on “real world” practical and applied knowledge and skills. Irrespective of whether you are a college student, working professional or an MBA, if you are interested in obtaining top-notch training in finance or business, we encourage you to submit your application. Our admissions staff works diligently to ensure you receive due, fair and full consideration.

What do the fees cover?
Please see the dates & fees section of our website for this information. Please also visit this link for tips on budgeting personal expenses.

Does Swiss Finance, School of Business offer financial aid?
No. You may wish to consider financing options available at many international banking institutions which offer low interest loans to qualified students.

What is a typical class size?
Class size varies greatly from program to program.

What is the application fee?
The application fee is non-refundable $200.

What are the job prospects of your graduates?
Despite the recession, graduates of our summer intensive programs have been receiving job offers. The vast majority of our alumni are successful in their careers. The training students receive at Swiss Finance truly sets them apart in a competitive job market, as our alumni attest. Through strong industry connections on the part of many faculty, and our tight alumni network, Swiss Finance, School of Business students have a multitude of channels to locate a job upon graduation.

I am very interested in a career in investment banking, business, and finance, but do not have a background in finance and am afraid that the program may be too fast-paced for me. Should I apply?
Yes. You do not need to have a background in business or finance. While we welcome strong performing students with backgrounds in all academic disciplines, we specifically encourage students with engineering, liberal arts and sciences backgrounds, at both undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels, to apply to our programs. In fact, a significant percentage of our students did not major in business or finance in previous studies.

Having a prior background in finance is not likely to offer you a significant advantage because a large part of what we cover in our programs is not covered in traditional undergraduate or graduate education. We are confident that the students we admit through our highly selective process have the skills and talent to work hard and grasp the material that is covered in our classes.

If you are interested in a career in investment banking, capital markets, private equity, wealth management, institutional sales or proprietary trading, or if you simply wish to boost your career prospects in any competitive industry such as strategy consulting or a start-up, you will find the program curriculum highly relevant. It is specifically tailored to build the knowledge and the skills that one needs to find job opportunities the most competitive industries. The Program also goes into the rigors of M&A modeling, leveraged buyouts, private equity and hedge fund investments strategies.

I am interested in gaining a strong foundation in business but do not intend to go into investment banking or corporate finance. Is the program right for me?
Yes, we believe so; however, you should carefully review our rigorous curriculum and assess its relationship to your career goals. Our curriculum is designed to provide students with an understanding of the core fundamentals of business strategy, investing and finance. Even if you have a background in business and finance, you will find that there are opportunities for both practical and applied learning that are not available in the typical university classroom setting.

Because the majority of the students who enroll in the MBA program have a strong interest in the finance industry, the program’s curriculum is particularly tailored to develop the specific set of skills needed for success in that industry. However, we strongly believe that a background in finance positions an individual for success in a range of careers in the business world. If your interests reside elsewhere, or if you are undecided, you can still benefit a great deal from the Program, as it will equip you with skills that are highly applicable to any career.

Do you offer MBA degrees in subjects other than Finance?
No, our areas of international distinction are investment banking, trading, investing, capital markets, wealth management, hedge funds and entrepreneurship. This allows our faculty and staff to deliver exceptionally in-depth training in high finance. It also allows us to build a community with a strong, unified sense of purpose.

Since the scope of Swiss Finance, School of Business training goes beyond Swiss capital markets, private banking and hedge funds, and in fact includes a comprehensive coverage of global investment banking, capital markets, trading, entrepreneurship and general management, why are you called “Swiss Finance?”
Many people are curious about where our name comes from, so here are some answers!
While we offer training relevant to individuals who want to learn about and work in investment banking, consulting and other industries worldwide, in places like New York, Greenwich, San Francisco, London and Hong Kong – not just Zurich and Geneva – there are many "Swiss Finance."

• Our institute was conceptualized and launched in Switzerland
• We are a Swiss company incorporated as Swiss Finance Education GmbH
• Our curriculum, while balanced and inclusive of Wall Street culture, case studies and simulations, also has Swiss finance and banking modules, such as private banking and wealth management, that are relevant for people interested in finance, banking, entrepreneurship and consulting, irrespective of physical location