LSE Worth it?
Student in the U.S going to a non-target university. I recently got an unconditional offer to study abroad at LSE and was wondering if it's worth it to go? From what I have heard from alumni at my school, LSE makes you stand out on your resume and helps you get rid of the "non-target curse" to some extent. However, at the same time, the con is that it gets very expensive to study abroad there, and as a first-generation student myself, my financial resources are limited. Do you still think going to LSE is worth it? The program offered at my school is for an entire academic year only.
Probably a top 5 candidate at my non-target if that makes any difference. Some alumni offered the advice that if my resume was strong enough then going to LSE wouldn't make that huge of a difference.
Sources for the poll that made you a top 5 candidate?
I personally wouldn't pass up the opportunity to study abroad at a top-tier worldwide institution for a year, in London. When else are you going to get the opportunity?
Let's put #'s on it, how much will it cost you, versus what will you get out of the experience?
Given my financial aid and scholarships coming through, probably around $15k for the entire year. Doesn't seem like a lot but it's a pretty big burden for my family.
Yess. I have a friend at LSE who is doing Masters in econ and is getting good offers from BB's
Same for undergrad?
Don't know
It's even better for undergrad than masters. Arguable the top undergrad target in UK and maybe in Europe for undergrad up with Oxbridge, Bocconi and the French schools
Is your university recognized by Europeans (have they heard of it)?
Does your university recognize credits for that study abroad year?
Probably have not heard of it is my guess. But yes, a full year worth of credits will transfer.
If the full year will transfer, you can do a rough estimate and see if it will put significant pressure on your financial resources
LSE GC takes quite a lot of people every year. It may improve your resume but won't be very material. It is good to have experiences study abroad in Europe and travel around during weekends though.
LSE is THE main feeder university of ib summer analysts and analysts in the UK and probably one of the most prestigious universities in Western Europe.
"is it recognised by Europeans?!" just check LinkedIn.
Not sure if you are addressing to my comment. You may have lost your attention to detail if you are trying to reply me though
Good one. Fair. Apologies! It still stands; if you can make it work financially, it can help land great jobs in all kinds of fields!
I think that it can be used as a good talking point
If it's for the General Course, then you'll have a good life experience but it will likely only be marginally helpful in US undergrad recruitment I think. Like someone mentioned, a nice conversation piece but I don't think it's going to move the needle much. So if you're set on going, go because you want to have a life experience that will make you more well-rounded, give you perspective, etc...
If you're going for an LSE master's in one of the finance/commercially oriented programs then obviously European recruitment is going to be awesome but it will be contingent on work visa stuff, which is going to be a big question mark for a bit I think. I spent time at LSE as a grad student and my cohort/group of friends all had pretty strong placements across banking and consulting and many are now in top VC and PE firms. I found it easy to find in-term internships and to network.
It's up there after Oxbridge for IB, the networking opportunities are great, especially because you'll actually be in London.
Even including accommodation for abroad, studying in the UK is not as expensive as going to the Ivy League in the US. I'd go for it.
If you can afford the course and a year of living expenses of living in London (which can easily hit ~25k USD living frugall) then definitely go for it.
Literally no one cares where you studied abroad. It's a non-factor. Zip. Zilch. It's study abroad, nothing more nothing less.
That said, it would be a fun experience. Everyone I've ever known loved studying abroad. Who knows maybe you'll be able to finagle into an internship or something while there, which could ultimately boost your chances (are study abroad students allowed to get internships?).
But if the question is as straight forward as - will studying abroad at LSE help in for US recruitment, its a resounding no.
Not sure why this got MS - merely calling a spade a spade. Never in my 10+ year career being part of a resume screening have I or anyone said, oh they went to a non-target but studied abroad somewhere good.
The OP seemed concerned about money and thus was looking more towards a ROI on recruiting impact, which is what was addressed, vs a general study abroad experience, which I said would be positive.
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hey am at LSE currently doing the same year long program. from a non target as well so PM me if you have any questions at all! would love to help, but absolutely love the program and been super helpful on extinguishing the non target “curse”
While I agree with your broader point - with study abroad you're not really paying extra in tuition -its mostly just the increased costs associated with living and traveling abroad. Typically, you pay your normal tuition to your home university, maybe a smaller program fee, then its to cost of traveling, living in a foreign place, traveling around said foreign place, etc. These aren't really cash generators either, as schools such as LSE are also sending their students to universities on exchanges as well. Very different from the total bullshit extension programs and micro degrees you referenced. Those are definitely criminal if you're going into debt for it as its even worse and more cringe worthy when someone tries to flex an ivy league extension on a resume as if the resume screener is that stupid.
I don't think it's scam or anything as you kinda eluded. Rather its paying for a life experience and as you put to party. Study abroad in London with weekend trip to Barcelona, Paris, Munich, etc. It's clearly an amazing set up for an upper middle class / rich kid.
For kids with parents fronting the bill and where money isn't an issue - one should totally study abroad. But going into debt for something that will have minimal impact if any into academics and recruitment, its clearly idiotic.
I studied abroad there! It won't help you break into industry if you are targeting the US. It's also difficult to break into UK IB recruiting if you are international to them. However, it's a great time. London is a fantastic city. 10/10 recommend
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