General Course LSE- Investment Banking
Hi guys,
I have a scenario and would appreciate any advice. I want to study abroad my junior year (2017-2018) at London School of Economics through the general course program. I'm based out of the US and have a 3.74 GPA, small private equity firm internship experience, and big 4 deal advisory internship experience. During my potential year at LSE, I want to take challenging courses and potentially intern at an investment banking firm. Can anyone tell me anything regarding the finance/business courses offered through the general course program? Also, what is the likelihood of me being able to land a semester internship throughout my stay with a student Visa? I'm not too knowledgeable on how recruiting works in London. (I'm interested in the work experience and pay isn't a deal breaker although it's always nice)
Most importantly, I also want to target recruiting season hard and land an investment banking internship at a BB for summer 2018. Will my study abroad ruin my chances of landing a summer internship for 2018 (NY offices)? I also wouldn't mind staying in London to intern. Idk if this is even possible, I just thought it might be easier from a recruiting point of view.
Any ideas or suggestions are welcomed. Thank you in advance.
I have no idea about the visa implications. For semester (i.e. off-cycle) internships, it is quite hard. There are not too many and I am assuming you don't have a network in London as yet. Furthermore, going through the recruitment from the US would be a pain. The good ones will already be gone. IF you are lucky, you will be able to find a few places but it will be hard, especially for a foreigner (not impossible though). The recruitment of BBs is extremely standardized in the UK. The basic trajectory is: get into a leading uni->do a few spring insights->get a return offer for a SA position->get a return offer for the FT position. That said, there is always some space and LSE arguable offers some outstanding networking events (2 day investment banking and finance career fair) as well as close proximity to all of the BBs.
I can tell you that you are eligible to take any course within any of the departments at LSE. You should have a look at the General Course brochure on LSE's website which lists every course you are allowed to take (given that you satisfy certain prerequisites). The sky is the limit. I can highly recommend the economics courses (obviously), especially Econometrics (there is a basic and advanced one) and Game Theory.
Are you studying at a target right now? What other options do you have in regards to spending your junior year abroad? Why not just spend a semester abroad? I know LSE won't let you just spend a semester there, but it will obviously have a significant impact to spend this much time abroad, and you should spend some time thinking about that as well, besides that it would make recruiting for positions in the US a pain.
Thank you for your reply. As far as recruiting the US goes, I also plan to join a career prep program called MLT. I think MLT in tandem with personal networking would help me keep my doors open in terms of a Summer 2018 IB internship in the US. I just want to verify that it isn't impossible or one of those things that have never been done.
Did you happen to take classes at LSE? I will definitely look into the courses you mentioned. I get to choose 6 from while I'll be placed into 4 long year courses.
I am not at a target right now. Given that my school is not a target, it does not offer many partnerships to study abroad at target/top universities. LSE like you said, has an outstanding IB pipeline + great location. I would consider a semester abroad if I can find an independent study abroad program at a great school within proximity of a financial hub. Do you happen to know of any I can look into?
As far as the calendar difference goes, my plan would be to make my teachers aware of my situation well ahead of time and try to test early. From what I've read, testing begins in April and can end anytime in June. I would also communicate this to US recruiters as well. At the right time of course lol
Thank you for your insight once again.
Quia est ut fuga consequatur occaecati quia minima. Aut corrupti qui tempore.
Repudiandae illum consequatur sed dolores. Quaerat accusantium ea et ut sed consectetur aspernatur. Quam tempora quia dicta consequatur sunt accusantium sunt. Ut excepturi qui qui et dolorum et quae. Adipisci aut placeat reprehenderit officiis.
Porro voluptas labore sint. Sint sit autem vitae placeat corporis est. Et laudantium sunt laboriosam et corporis delectus quia.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...