How I Prepared Academically Before Starting the SMF Program

Before beginning the Specialized Master in Finance (SMF) program at Ohio State, I remember feeling both excited and uncertain. I knew graduate school would move quickly, but I wasn’t sure exactly what I could do to prepare. Looking back, I realized that building confidence in the fundamentals of finance benefit me the most.  

The most valuable step I took was refreshing core finance and accounting concepts. I reviewed how financial statements connect, revisited time value of money principles, and made sure I understood the logic behind valuation rather than just memorizing formulas. Courses assume that students have a very basic familiarity with these ideas, so having a solid foundation helped me focus on learning new material taught in class.

Another important area was Excel. Finance coursework relies a lot on Excel depending on the course, and becoming comfortable with Excel before the semester began made a noticeable difference. I practiced using keyboard shortcuts, organizing data clearly, and building simple financial models. Having touched up on Excel before the SMF, I was able to work on assignments and models much quicker than if I hadn’t reviewed them at all.  

I also spent time getting familiar with the language of finance. Reading financial news and following market trends while also understanding basic financial terms helped me become more comfortable with terminology during lectures. This made classroom discussions feel less intimidating and helped me connect academic terminology to the real world.

Equally important was preparing for the pace of graduate school. The SMF program moves quickly, often balancing multiple assignments, group projects, and recruiting preparation at once. Developing strong time management habits before classes began was just as helpful as any academic review.

For incoming students, my advice is simple: focus on fundamentals, build Excel confidence, stay curious about the large world of finance, and don’t feel pressure to know everything beforehand. The program is designed to help you grow, and preparation simply allows you to start that journey with more confidence.