LBS MFA Rejection, What Next?
PROFILE
- Bachelor's in Economics from non-target in SE Europe
- GPA 3.9/4
- Interned for 3 months at Big 4 Transactions (small office)
- No extracurriculars
- GMAT 700
My goal is to work in investment banking initially and then do an MBA to move into something like PE or strategy in the US. I applied to LBS MFA and was rejected. It's obvious that my lack of solid work experience, international exposure, and ECs led to my rejection. I am waiting for a decision from LSE and Imperial (MSc Finance for both), but even if they offer me a place, I will be reluctant to accept. Honestly, what I look for in postgraduate studies is the overall experience, not necessarily the academic side of things. LBS is known for putting more weight into networking, having stellar placement rates, and making your time there memorable by organizing events and trips abroad.
I have already wasted a year after graduating and am now left wondering what to do next with my life and whether I should reapply to LBS next year. Feel free to share your thoughts.
Hey, you are right about LBS and the fact that they put more emphasis on networking. I would wait LSE and then see. Imperial i would not accept it. You can also find a job/internship and reapply next year.
Why not Imperial?
It is not a target and is viewed significantly lower.
If you get into LSE, take the offer. I agree that LBS is better but the difference is not worth the cost of waiting 1 more year. LSE will still get you several interviews
Most people in the Mfin/MFA programmes recruit for SA. Most FT recruiters will ding you if you don't have a previous internship in IB in Ldn/Frankfurt/Paris. The usual exception to this are diversity candidates, but it's still hard for them.
Let's say you enrol in the 2023/24 class, this means you would be starting as a SA in 2024 and full time (Analyst 1) in 2025. This is already a 2 year delay (assuming that you are graduating this year). Waiting 1 more year for the LBS decision would make it a 3 year delay which is too much considering that it is not guaranteed that you will get into LBS if you reapply
Why will FT recruiters ding you if you don't have a previous internship in IB in Ldn/Frankfurt/Paris? Sorry but I am not familiar with recruiting in London.
Because of the competition. You will compete against people in your program that have already done multiple IB internships and even PE. Not uncommon for students from Paris or even Stockholm to have done 1 BB off-cycle/summer, 1 PE off-cycle (some have done MF probably) and even 1 MBB/Tier 2 consulting internship during a 3yr program
Ahh I see, what if u have a BB IBD Summer before in US(LA) or HK, will that count ?
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