SSE now vs. gap year for Bocconi + scholarship? LONDON/UAE high finance is the goal
Hi all a few of you may have seen my previous posts, I'm a student in Dubai (graduating 2027,CBSE curriculum) aiming for IB/finance, ideally London or UAE if possible. I'd like input from people who have gone through European undergrad recruiting or anybody who has any idea about it.
My dilemma
Stockholm school of economics is my realistic target, Bocconi is my dream school, but only at a very high scholarship level, given my budget is pretty low(id regardless need to take a 20k pound loan total for sse if I get in rn/go to sse)
Option A: apply this cycle and go to SSE if admitted.
Option B: take a gap year, retake the SAT, strengthen the profile, and reapply to Bocconi with a scholarship push.
Option C: stay in UAE go to a top 500 uni, non target and masters in London/europe at a target or high target
Questions
- What would you do in my position?
- if I dont get into sse is going to the safety unis ive listed better than staying in UAE if I dont take a gap year?
Do banks or admissions penalise a gap year?
the university's ive shortlisted are here -Reach: Bocconi(loan needed unless I get a scholarship)
Target: Stockholm School of Economics (SSE)(need a loan if I dont get a fee waiver)
Safety: Charles University (IES Prague), VSE Prague(dont need a loan for these)
UAE floor: American University of Sharjah(only if I get a scholarship but also needs a 20k loan), University of Sharjah(I can afford without any loans)
thank you for your time and helping me 🙏.
