LSE MSc Finance and PE

What are chances of getting admitted to LSE MSc in Finance program? I heard they accept around 3% of all applicants. Do they value quality work experience as a big advantage or are they more interested in academic results? I consider applying, but don't know if it is realistic, given my CV (http://www.razume.com/documents/23277). Note that it has 2 pages!! I come from a University that is ranked 114 on the world's list (times), but LSE is ranked 86 on the same list. Is that jump too big? Anyone know more about the MSc Finance and PE? (http://www2.lse.ac.uk/study/graduate/taughtProgrammes2012/MScFinanceAndPrivateEquity.aspx). Will PE firms laugh about the addition of PE because there is little difference between MSc Finance program?

I would be happy to hear your advise!

22 Comments
 
24837][quote=WerI heard they accept around 3% of all applicants. !

the link you posted gives exact numbers: "Intake/applications in 2010: 34/1,039"

very competitive. GMAT range class of 2010 was 710 - 770. academics >>> work experience.

these guys know everything LSE: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/[/quote] Difficult but not impossible to get in, just need an undergrad from the usual suspects in the UK.

seeing that OP thinks some weird global university ranking matters makes me think OP is totally clueless and will not get in.

this combined with previous degrees containing way too little math makes me think OP has no shot

 

Hey 24837,

Where did you find GMAT range? There is no gmat average listed on lse website.

OP, you might want to look into finance and accounting master - less competitive.

 

Thank you for the link 24837! I'll read all LSE information on the LSE section. IHAVEABIGHEART, indeed the finance and accounting master is somewhat less competitive, but I don't find it really appealing. I would rather prefer the other financial masters, but they have acceptance rates of 3-5% also.

 

''The mathematics used in the programme includes basic calculus and statistics. Applicants are also required to have studied a minimum of A level Mathematics (or its equivalent)''. I've had the basics, that would not be the problem. Previous degrees are from a University of Technology in which every course is at least a bit mathematical. In about 2 months I will take the GMAT, to prove. Having a high score on it, I would consider to apply.

 

GMAT average will be somewhere around 730. The GMAT isn't that important, though; the admission officers rather care about the whole profile.

I think the programmes are about equally selective, even though I consider the quality of students on average a bit better in the FPE programme.

On tip: until November you can move freely from the FPE programme to the Finance programme. The other way around, however, it might be a problem, because only 15 people are allowed to move to the FPE and while nobody wants to switch from the FPE to the Finance Master, usually much more than 15 people want to switch from the Finance to the FPE Master.

 
Best Response

I'd say about the same competitiveness and quality.

The main differences is that the MSc Finance programme requires a dissertation whilst the MSc Finance and Private Equity programme has a 'Private Equity' module that only its students can take.

One thing I'd be conscious of is how a MSc Finance and Private Equity programme signals your profile to an employer, especially if applying to other areas of finance such as AM, HF etc. Of course, most people on the MSc FPE programme probably want to go into IBD or PE only, but even when applying to IBD, I wouldn't be surprised if they got asked whether they were planning of going into PE afterwards. On the other hand, I think doing a MSc Finance degree gives a more 'generalist' impression. However, this could all be a complete non-issue and I have friends on the MSc FPE programme who have done very well when it comes to IB recruitment.

Both are stellar programmes at the end of the day.

 

So given that the programs are about equally selective, does it make any sense to go 1st choice Msc Finance 2nd choice Msc F&PE

or the other way around?

For LSE you have only two choices and I consider to go for Msc in Accounting and Finance as a second choice if my GMAT will be around 700/710

 

Its the same course, its just that F&PE has one more course only for F&PE students. They are both very competitive and will place you equally well for IBD. For direct entry into PE, I would probably say that F&PE is better. There are a couple of guys in the program who did Summer internships at Abraaj Capital for example.

I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing. See my Blog & AMA
 
nimbus3000

Trying to read between the lines but is "equally well" good enough?

Reading posts on the forum here has sort of confused me !!

Yes, they are both good. If you get into either take it. If you don't, even a degree in Economic History from LSE will allow you to interview with BBs.

I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing. See my Blog & AMA
 

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