Gap Year or non-oxbridge UNI

Hey I need some advice. What would be the recommended course of action in your personal opinion about entering your industry.
If you missed out on an Oxford PPE offer but got offers for the same course e.g. (Wawrick, UCL, Durham and Phil and Econ at LSE) what would you do? Would there be serious benefits in a gap year, (and what would you do) in order  so you could try again for Oxford. Or do you lean to towards the idea that Oxford isn't the be all and end all? Thanks. 

4 Comments
 

Go to LSE and re-apply. If you're desperate and can afford to waste a year's of tuition, then try again. Worst comes worst and you don't get in, you'll still be at a top-tier university (as are all the other options you've mentioned). Imo Oxbridge will still be elite but Imperial, LSE and UCL do just as well in terms of recruitment, you won't be hindered one bit. I can tell someone is usually desperate to go to Oxbridge especially when they do a masters there. 

 
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Tbh I’m an American and have 0% exposure to the idiosyncrasies of EU IB. Nonetheless, as any decent banker ought do, I will confidently bless you with my unsolicited (and likely unfounded) perspective.
I’m a huge believer in networks, pedigreee, and reputation. I totally agree with the prior post arguing that the content and quality of your education will be quite similar between these schools. I might even go so far as to agree that your employment opportunities upon graduating should be quite comparable.
My qualm, however, is that only a Cambridge-level experience will prepare you to participate in the highest social circles and distill in you the appropriate / corresponding behavior. Without commenting on the merit or fault of this these perceptions, I’m merely noting that there is public distinction between these educations. Beyond an outsiders perspective on pedigree, I think the network developed during your education will be one of the largest determinants of your success. In nearly all my experience and tangential understanding of job hunts, Leveraging network connections has been the primary driver of success. Or said differently, if you’re aiming for the top rung, you’ll need individuals in that stratosphere that are cheering your name.
TLDR successful people are successful and like successful people

 

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