What does the STEM classification of Boston University's MS in Finance mean for Indian students' post-graduation work options in the US?

A STEM-classified degree provides three years of Optional Practical Training, OPT, after graduation, compared to one year for non-STEM degrees. In practical terms, this means three separate annual lottery entries for the H-1B work visa if you want to remain in the US long-term. The H-1B lottery is oversubscribed in most years, and not winning in a single lottery is common. Three lottery entries spread over three years give you a significantly better cumulative probability of obtaining H-1B status than the single entry available to non-STEM graduates.

• The three OPT years also give you more time to build US work experience before the H-1B is needed, which strengthens your employer's incentive to sponsor you because they have already seen you perform for one or two years before making the sponsorship commitment.
• For an Indian student in finance or quant roles, sectors where H-1B sponsorship is routine at established firms, the STEM OPT extension is a material advantage in career planning and should factor into which programs you apply to.