International Undergrad - UCL or Edinburgh?
Undergrad offers from both UCL (Bsc Maths WITH Econ ie. 75-25 split) and Edinburgh (MA Econ AND Maths ie. 50-50), I've met the conditions. Got rejected from Oxford PPE post-interview. I'm aware that UCL is considered better for quant jobs (quite good at maths)//IB but I'm really leaning towards Edinburgh since I prefer the course slightly (and the city is also BEAUTIFUL). I haven't really been social at all for the last 2 years since i was studying for my countries entrance exams so i think moving to a big city like London might be too much for me to handle at once and since UCL is 3 years, I have less time to adjust. Luckily, cost is not an issue and I have no problem spending my summers in London for internships if I'm fortunate enough to get them. However, I'm worried about missing out on the London advantage if I go to Edinburgh. Another reason I'm considering Edinburgh is because I feel like the relative competition will be slightly lower. Not sure if that really checks out but the proportion of students applying for quant/IB jobs from UCL will be much higher than those interested and capable enough of the same (different skill sets) at Edinburgh. I feel like it's better to be near the top at a slightly lower school rather than painfully mediocre at a better school. Edinburgh also has a better reputation and prestige internationally due to its history ofc but I see that it is not the case in the UK. If I choose to stick with the quant route, I plan on doing an MFin or something similar but I will most likely apply to do an MBA at top B-schools in the US (wishful thinking). For that also I feel as though Edinburgh would give me the leg up in terms of standing out in my course whereas it'll be easier to get lost in the crowd at UCL. Clearly very inexperienced so, thoughts please?
TLDR: Should I pick UCL for undergrad over Edinburgh (what i prefer) solely because of it being in London, higher prestige in UK, and considered a target school?
UCL. Better school and access to London for recruiting. You can choose Edinburgh if you think you’ll get a first but think it shouldn’t be a huge difference in academic difficulty so would pick UCL
I agree, UCL is far more better then edinburgh
Hey, thank you both sm for the inputs. Was wondering what your thoughts are on the competition point? Since UCL and London unis (Imperial, LSE) in general will be more competitive will that overshadow me?
What are you optimising for? Recruitment or university experience?
If recruitment, UCL by a country mile. University experience? That’s another discussion
Eligendi eaque ipsam amet reiciendis ea dolor quia aliquid. Et nihil velit dolores. Fugiat est distinctio adipisci et perferendis ex. Non iure autem vitae. Maiores voluptatem sunt voluptatem et laborum enim.
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...