Princeton’s Bendheim Center for Finance offers one of the world’s leading Master in Finance programs for students with strong technical backgrounds who are eager to advance their skills and land competitive positions in the financial industry.
As the center prepares for the upcoming application season—and prepares to welcome this year’s incoming class of students—Lindsay Bracken, BCF’s Manager of Career Development and External Relations, shares her insight into what sets BCF apart, what potential applicants can expect from the program, and her top tips for a stand-out application.
What sets the Bendheim Center apart when it comes to career services and recruiting for Master in Finance students?
Bracken: Princeton’s Bendheim Center for Finance offers an exceptionally personalized and strategic approach to career development that sets it apart from other programs. Our small, highly selective cohort allows us to provide tailored career support to each student—from resume and interview preparation to individualized employer outreach.
We maintain deep relationships across a wide range of firms, including top hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, investment banks, and asset managers, and work closely with employers to align recruiting timelines and opportunities with student goals. Our hands-on approach includes curated resume books, targeted introductions, alumni mentorship, and customized programming such as Career Boot Camp, Quant Camp, and technical interview prep.
Because our students arrive with strong technical backgrounds and professional experience, whether from internships or full-time roles, we focus on helping them refine their career narratives, expand their networks, and access competitive internship and full-time opportunities in quantitative research, trading, portfolio management, investment banking, and more.
Ultimately, the combination of Princeton’s academic rigor, our close-knit community, and our high-touch career support results in outstanding placement outcomes year after year.
What does the recruiting timeline look like? And how do you support students at each stage?
Bracken: Recruiting for MFin students begins early and moves quickly. Internship recruiting often starts as early as July and August, with roles posted by hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, and select banks. Full-time recruiting typically ramps up in August and September, though some firms hire on a rolling basis throughout the year.
We support students at every stage of the process:
The process is highly individualized, and we pride ourselves on being proactive, responsive, and deeply involved in helping every student reach their career goals.
A large part of your job is facilitating matches between students and positions. How do you develop and maintain positive relationships with companies and recruiters?
Bracken: We take a highly personalized and proactive approach to employer engagement. Because our cohort is small and selective, we’re able to provide companies with tailored recommendations that align with their specific hiring needs—whether that’s for quant research, trading, asset management, or investment banking roles.
We build relationships by staying closely connected with recruiters and alumni throughout the year, not just during peak recruiting season. This includes regular check-ins, on-campus and virtual events, resume books, and targeted outreach based on open roles. We also seek feedback after interviews and placements to ensure we’re continuously improving the match process.
Many of our relationships have been built over years and are strengthened by strong student outcomes. Employers return because they trust the quality of our students, appreciate the professionalism of our process, and know we’re responsive, efficient, and collaborative. By understanding each firm’s unique culture and needs, we’re able to create high-value connections that benefit both students and employers.
The Princeton BCF alumni network plays a major role in admissions and more. Can you speak to the importance of the alumni in this process?
Bracken:Our alumni are a cornerstone of the MFin program’s success. They’re deeply engaged across every stage of the student experience—from admissions and mentorship to recruiting and career development.
Many of our alumni help out with admissions by conducting interviews and helping us select candidates who are not only academically strong, but also well-aligned with the program’s professional outcomes. Their input ensures we’re bringing in students who are prepared to thrive in the kinds of roles and environments where our alumni now work.
On the career side, alumni play a critical role in opening doors. They advocate for our students internally, offer interview prep, host employer events, and provide mentorship on navigating the industry. Because our network is highly concentrated in top-tier finance roles across hedge funds, trading firms, asset managers, and banks, their involvement significantly expands access and visibility for our students.
We’re proud of how invested our alumni are—and students feel that support from the moment they apply through the time they secure their full-time roles and beyond. It’s a real differentiator of the Princeton MFin experience.
As the upcoming application season approaches, what advice would you give prospective Master in Finance applicants?
Bracken: Be thoughtful and intentional in your application. We’re looking for candidates who not only have strong quantitative and analytical skills, but also a clear sense of how the MFin program fits into their broader career goals.
Take the time to reflect on what excites you about finance—whether it’s quantitative research, trading, asset management, or another area—and communicate that vision clearly. Use your resume and essays to showcase both technical strengths and professional maturity. We also value diversity of experience, so don’t hesitate to highlight unique academic or professional paths.
Finally, do your research. Get to know the Princeton MFin program—our curriculum, our alumni network, and our career outcomes. Talk to students or alumni if you can. A well-informed application that shows genuine interest and alignment with what we offer makes a strong impression.