LSE MSc Finance and Economics vs. Claremont McKenna

Opinions? I was admitted all of a sudden to LSE MSc Finance & Econ. I\\'m still very much committed to CMC, but is there much of a difference of value-added for either school if I plan to stay in the States?

22 Comments
 

If you plan on staying in the US, go with CMC. Claremont has strong placements and a great program, you won\'t be disappointed.

 

Sure. GMAT 720. GPA: 3.85. B.S. Math Non-target. Previous work experience:

Freshmen year: Small think tank economic research Sophomore year: Advanced computational/math research at R1 university Junior year: buy-side equity at hf ~ 100mm AUM

I think I just had really good rec\'s paired with scholarship stuff etc.

@ANT: Yea I\'m still in for CMC. Any opinions on how the Eurozone might affect LSE placement even for non-Euro UK?

 

I think you can still find work in finance in London/Europe, but it is tough. The financial sector over there is getting it hard, just like in the states. LSE is a top brand though so you should be fine. I can\'t see being an American really hurting you since the UK and the USA have such close relations.

If anyone else has man on the ground input it would be helpful.

 

LSE has a better brand overall, if that's what you're looking for. Though if you want to remain in the US, CMC hands down. It will be very, very difficult for you to get US-based jobs from LSE--OCR is split based on regions.

 

I've heard that about OCR. And so far I have to say Claremont has been fantastic connecting me with SA stuff, etc. I'm curious if there are any Americans on here that have been through the LSE program? Also, I plan on getting an MBA in my late twenties (MSF is primarily because I didn't land FT offer) so I'm not sure that brand name is too much of an issue until later.

Anyone know the average GMAT for LSE?

 
Best Response
GCABJI've heard that about OCR. And so far I have to say Claremont has been fantastic connecting me with SA stuff, etc. I'm curious if there are any Americans on here that have been through the LSE program? Also, I plan on getting an MBA in my late twenties (MSF is primarily because I didn't land FT offer) so I'm not sure that brand name is too much of an issue until later.

Anyone know the average GMAT for LSE?

Don't know. But the acceptance rate is about 5-6% of applicants, and most of the students are non-UK residents. I bet the GMAT avg. is respectably high.

 

LSE, probably. The school is tops and I don't see you having a problem finding interviews with an LSE degree. (If you were to get an interview and the person interviewing you doesn't know the school, walk away) I did a semester at King's College and that little bit caught some attention when I started interviewing. And from personal experience I can tell you that London is fucking great when you are in college.

I assume that you would be attending Robert Day school if you choose CMC. Great program, great philosophy, etc. The big difference there is that you might get recruited by IT giants as well as IB's and the big 4 firms. Google, Apple, Intel, etc look at CMC too.

 
Gomez AddamsLSE, probably. The school is tops and I don't see you having a problem finding interviews with an LSE degree. (If you were to get an interview and the person interviewing you doesn't know the school, walk away) I did a semester at King's College and that little bit caught some attention when I started interviewing. And from personal experience I can tell you that London is fucking great when you are in college.

I assume that you would be attending Robert Day school if you choose CMC. Great program, great philosophy, etc. The big difference there is that you might get recruited by IT giants as well as IB's and the big 4 firms. Google, Apple, Intel, etc look at CMC too.

That's right, its the RDS MA Finance program. They offer scholarships because of Robert Day's $200mm gift ~5 years ago which makes the NPV of attending there probably better since LSE comes out to substantially more in cost and all I really care about is getting a good job at an HF or IB where I can continue to learn. Brand name means little to me vs. placement.

 
GCABJ
Gomez AddamsLSE, probably. The school is tops and I don't see you having a problem finding interviews with an LSE degree. (If you were to get an interview and the person interviewing you doesn't know the school, walk away) I did a semester at King's College and that little bit caught some attention when I started interviewing. And from personal experience I can tell you that London is fucking great when you are in college.

I assume that you would be attending Robert Day school if you choose CMC. Great program, great philosophy, etc. The big difference there is that you might get recruited by IT giants as well as IB's and the big 4 firms. Google, Apple, Intel, etc look at CMC too.

That's right, its the RDS MA Finance program. They offer scholarships because of Robert Day's $200mm gift ~5 years ago which makes the NPV of attending there probably better since LSE comes out to substantially more in cost and all I really care about is getting a good job at an HF or IB where I can continue to learn. Brand name means little to me vs. placement.

True, brand name isn't everything. And I think that you might be a little put off that you didn't land FT right after graduation and it is weighing a little too heavily.

FT placement won't have to be an issue for you until two years from now, and you will be coming out of a top program, either LSE or CMC. So, I think that you might be giving it too much weight at this point.

In the long run, the alumni network, the brand name, and the focus on international business, plus the fact that there are just more people there, makes it likely that you would make more connections at LSE that will carry you deeper into your career.

Just my two cents. Good luck to you...

 

Always thought that LSE was the tip-top name in this sort of thing, but CMC looks to have super-good placement.

Congrats!

"When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is." - Oscar Wilde "Seriously, psychology is for those with two x chromosomes." - RagnarDanneskjold
 

The CMC placements look absolutely KILLER!

"When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is." - Oscar Wilde "Seriously, psychology is for those with two x chromosomes." - RagnarDanneskjold
 

Would also recommend the Oxford MFE. Alternatively LSE, both should get you into a top firm in London/US no doubt (S&T, AM etc.). No clue about the other one you have mentioned.

"too good to be true" See my WSO Blog
 

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