Rejection from all top programmes
Hi everyone,
I am currently struggling as to what to do as I got rejected from all my choices for my finance masters (LSE, Imperial, LBS, and HEC). I applied with a very good first-class from a target university in Germany, a 730 GMAT, and sufficient extracurriculars. The downside is, though, that I only did one audit internship at a Big4 prior to my application.
I am finishing my bachelor’s soon and have an internship in transaction advisory lined up after that, but not sure what to do after that. I’m now considering doing internships for one year (thinking Big4 M&A or Transactions and maybe something IB-related if I can score that) to then reapply next year. The other option would be to apply to lower-ranked programmes now and try my luck there.
Does anyone have any recommendations as to what to do now or how to progress? Especially in regards to other programmes to consider or internships to appl to.
Thank you!
Do an internship
I would have to find like three though, given next years masters only start in 1.5 years
good for your CV and then fo directly for a job
TAS will be a great boost. I am sorry that application season went poorly for you - there is often a lot of variance involved. I am wondering if your essays/LoRs were up to par, since your profile should have no problem getting an offer at one of these.
At first I was pretty convinced they were decent, but now I am wondering the same. I definitely spent a lot of time on the motivation letter. I also had the TAS internship on my CV as an 'incoming intern'. I do not know where everything went wrong, tbh.
My top recommendation is to find a job.
Like the others said, maybe your WE was lacking, maybe not. Maybe your LoRs or essays. It’s hard to tell.
However, if you have a 730 GMAT already and a strong undergrad GPA, why not try to work in TS for a year-two (just beware of LBSs shitty two-year exp/graduation rule) and then reapply?
The market will likely recover by then, you will definitely have a much more stacked resume and for sure a different mindset. Speaking from personal experience, you really do grow up a lot after 2-3 years of work and have more serious goals. And in comparison to a 21 yo German kid with 3 8 week internships but 0 actual experience of getting shit done on a regular basis with (potentially) promotions, you will look much better (as long as that’s how you market yourself).
You WILL have a more stacked resume to which you can point and say - look, I have an excellent track record in this closely related field to banking. And yet, I am young enough to absorb stuff easily and work hard for the next however many years.
Or, you can always apply next year after your internship and maybe get another internship/off-cycle lined up to have a more stacked CV.
Unrelated, but can I ask when did you apply for LSE and when did you hear back from them? Was it within the 8-week timeframe they give? Mines coming up on 8 weeks and still nada :/
Thanks for your advice man. Given the 2 year rule, I guess I can work only for one year (assuming it's two years till programme starts?)
I think I heard back from LSE after more than three months... Hearing similar things from others. They really be taking their time this year
DEI is very crucial for schools these days. Change your race maybe
That excuse is for people who don’t write good essays and don’t have strong letter of recommendations.
Is that a thing in London universities too?
Did you add A&F as your second preference for LSE and Imperial? I know people that have gotten into both programs with way worse stats than yours.
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