Job vs RSM (this year) vs LSE (if accepted)

Hello!

I'm in a terrible dilemma and I don't know what I should do.

In autumn 2013 I've applied to both LSE and RSM. I've been rejected from LSE (Msc Finance + Msc Accounting and Finance), but offered a place at Rotterdam School of Management (MSc in Finance and Investments starting September 2014). The university is alright (#5 in Europe according to FT), but I would like to work in Asset Management in London after finishing my Masters degree, I don't know if RSM (being a Dutch University) would offer me this opportunity as easily as LSE would.

Furthermore, I've been offered a job at the biggest Asset Management firm in my country. I could work here for 1 year and then apply to LSE again. But what if I get rejected 1 more time? Wouldn't this be a lost year? My dream university is LSE. What if I'll get rejected again?

Should I go to RSM starting from september this year? Or should I work 1 year in Asset Management first and then reapply to LSE? Wouldn't staying in my home country for another year be considered a lost year?

Any input is valuable.

 

Take the job and then see what happens. Maybe you enjoy what you're doing and want to stay at the firm and maybe do an MBA in the future (if you want to). Otherwise, if you're still set on LSE then study for the GMAT and get that LSE offer for next year. 1 year of relevant work experience will definitely improve your profile as well.

 
Best Response

No brainer, take the job. Look your goal is to do asset management in London so it is best to get cracking on the work experience part as AM is different from other areas in finance as it values the relevant experience more highly. You have a better chance of going AM in your country => top masters (maybe not LSE as others mentioned) => AM in London…or even skipping the masters (though prob not as I'm guessing you're from a smaller market) vs. going to a second rate masters => middle office type role/corporate banking (or equivalent) => AM in London. You may think of it as a "wasted" year but right now you have plenty of years ahead so it is better than "wasting" your masters opportunity on a sub optimal solution. If you are 30 then this is different obviously, but there are a lot of schools worse than LSE but better than RSM which would make this a closer call.

 

That's why I don't know if I should go to RSM and then try and apply for a position in London, or work in my home country in Asset Management for 1 year and then apply to LSE again, wait to see if I get accepted and then, if I get accepted, apply for a position in London.

 

Hmm didn't know Swisscap group operates in Romania.

Tough call. Think of this in football terms: you're a young talent playing at a top team in Romania (swisscap) and you really want to win the Champions League trophy (work in am in london) with Real Madrid (lse). But you've been scouted by a team like ... say Juventus (rsm). Do you accept their offer or play another year for your team in Romania?

Juventus might not win the trophy (although they have in the past), but it will put you in a better position for a transfer to a contender. Sure you can play another year for your team and hope you get your transfer to Madrid, but remember they have rejected you once, so you really need to improve in that one season to get their attention (and not get injured along the way).

I know this is a silly analogy, but I think you get my point :)

 

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