Gap year vs London target

Hope everyone is doing well. Was just hoping to get some advice from WSO community.

I’m meant to be starting university this September at London target (Imperial/UCL/LSE) and am interested in doing MBB consulting but I know it’s basically dominated by Oxbridge in the UK.
Should I take a gap year to hopefully successfully reapply or go to London and try getting into consulting from there?

I’m hoping to get 4/5 A*s in my A-Level results and so have been preparing again for the oxbridge process so I think my chances are better this year than last time.
I would also apply to some Ivy League schools during the gap year.

I currently don’t have any finance experience lined up for the year out but am working on getting something to show I’ve used the year out effectively

Thanks in advance

 
Most Helpful

Those targets are good they will not stop you from achieving your goal of MBB consulting. As long as you do internships every year. If the only reason you want to have a gap year is to get into Oxbridge or an ivy then it probably isn't worth it. LSE/UCL and imperial are top unis. However, I took a gap year it was the best decision of my life, because I didn't have any regrets and it allowed me to focus on finding my true passion.

In summary, those unis are already top unis, dont take a gap year ONLY to get into oxbridge/ivy. Also if im not mistaken ivy leagues are 4 years whereas uk unis are 3. So take that into consideration too

Edit: I can see your goal is MBB consulting, one advice I would give you is dont limit yourself., Sure you can do all consulting internships, but especially for spring weeks apply to a range of things INCLUDING consulting firms.

 

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