Is London School of Economics worth losing networking opportunities?

Hi everyone, I've been lurking this website for a while and I have a question for all you knowledgeable monkeys. I apologize if I am too long-winded. I've included a short version for all those interested.

Background:

Essentially, I'm at a non-target school for the top three consulting firms. I'd say my school is ranked top 20 for overall undergraduate business schools in U.S., but specializes and is known for entrepreneurship. However, it's isn't very well known nationally and I know it does not carry the same weight as more competitive schools. Fortunately, at least the big four accounting firms like our school, especially since some professors were partners.

Now, I have an interesting opportunity to study abroad for a whole year at the London School of Economics my junior year. I'm not sure how much of a brand name LSE is, but I know it is a more competitive well-known school than my current college. However, if I take this study abroad opportunity, it might make it harder for me to network. My current school is relatively small and it's alumni bases are NOT in London.

I fear that going to London will make it harder for me to land an internship for my junior year internship. However, at the same time, there is one networking advantage if I decide to study abroad. For our school study abroad programs GPA is frozen, I only need to get above a C equivalent in my classes there. This means, I won't have to stress so much about keeping my GPA high and I could possibly spend more time networking.

Academically, I think I'm strong enough for the big three consulting firms. I have a 3.8+ GPA after freshman year (average at school is around 2.9, no grade inflation) and I'll probably concentrate in Finance. My SAT scores are 780 CR and 770 Math. Not the best, but I don't think I have to be too concerned. Now I'm trying to bolster everything else in my resume.

So, essentially, do you think studying abroad for a year at LSE will help me break into BCG, McK, and Baines because it is more well known than my current school?

TL:DR short version

- I have decent academic performance after freshman year: 3.8+ GPA, 1550/1600 SAT
- School is non-target, small alumni base mainly around school
- I can study abroad at the London School of Economics my junior year and my grades won't matter (only need to get a C)
- I desperately need some "big" names on my resume
- Must land internship as a junior

Will studying abroad at LSE help my chances at breaking the big three?

I'll be grateful for some good advice.

 
Best Response
randomnumbers234238324353:

Will studying abroad at LSE help my chances at breaking the big three?

I don't know the answer to this specifically, but from a 'life experience' perspective, you absolutely should do the study abroad. You will regret not doing it.

While you are out there, why not network for an internship in Europe? Like previous posters said, LSE has a strong brand name in the EU.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm certainly leaning more towards going to LSE next year.

Yeah, I've thought about trying to intern in the U.K. I would prefer to intern in U.S. mainly just for comfort, but I'm open to the idea. Do you guys know how well firms are linked from different countries. I have a few professors at my college who were partners at the Big 4 auditing firms. If they wanted, would they be able to help me get my foot in the door, even though they worked in America?

And as a side question: do my academic credentials seem good enough MBB (i.e. they won't throw out my resume immediately)? It seems to be a daunting task competing against so many people from top schools.

 

2 Consulting Fairs p/ year + mentoring program + standard alumni reach out = LSE will probably be of net benefit compared to spending an unexceptional year at an unexceptional school in the US.

FYI. For full-time you can interview for overseas offices (for at least 2 of MBB) from London, if you get a good relationship going maybe you can do the same to land an internship back home.

 

Magnam adipisci voluptas rem. Eligendi quae quo qui et maxime. Itaque fugit tenetur excepturi cum quo. Animi ipsum dicta sed eius.

Fuga quidem et quis consequuntur ullam. Optio odio libero ab doloribus. Ad porro repudiandae accusamus porro. Voluptatem ex ipsa incidunt corporis dolore. Consequuntur qui dicta minus quaerat. Esse nisi totam ipsam fugiat autem voluptas non animi. Nihil voluptatem saepe dignissimos rerum.

Itaque at qui eos cupiditate expedita eum eos. Autem sed nulla ullam quibusdam eaque suscipit inventore. Deleniti libero rerum tenetur reiciendis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • Cornerstone Research 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.7%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $368
  • Principal (25) $277
  • Director/MD (55) $270
  • Vice President (47) $246
  • Engagement Manager (99) $225
  • Manager (152) $170
  • 2nd Year Associate (158) $140
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (108) $130
  • Senior Consultant (329) $130
  • Consultant (586) $119
  • 1st Year Associate (538) $119
  • NA (15) $119
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (145) $115
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (342) $102
  • Associate Consultant (166) $98
  • 1st Year Analyst (1046) $87
  • Intern/Summer Associate (188) $84
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (547) $67
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”