Choosing a College/University
Hi everyone,
My name is Tony, I am 16 years old and in less than two years I will have to apply for a bachelor degree in finance/business/management/economics (not sure yet). I am from Bulgaria and studying in the USA will be almost impossible for me due to the limited budget and annual income of my family.
Having said that, I believe that education in Europe would be the best option for me. Unfortunately, I have my doubts about what exactly to study (finance/business/management/economics) as well as where to study. I have researched the following schools:
- LSE ( Management/ Accounting and Finance/ Economics)
- Bocconi University in Italy (Bachelor in International Economics, Management & Finance - taught in English)
- RSM ( BSc in International Business Administration)
- Warwick University ( Accounting and Finance/ International Business)
- University of St. Gallen (Major in Business Administration / Major in Economics)
- University of Leeds
- Manchester University
These are the Universities that seem to be the leading in Europe.
Could you please help me by giving mi useful information, sharing personal experience? Could you explain me the difference in the jobs you can do with the different degrees ( Economics, Finance, Management, International Business, etc)? Which of these universities would prepare me for an MSc degree in a reputable university in Europe/the USA? As I would very much like to live and work in the USA after I graduate, which of these or any other universities has the greatest influence in the USA?
I am very motivated but I lack some information that can only be received through communication with people who are into this field. That is why start this topic.
I would be very happy if someone responds.
Thanks in advance.
1) I'd say that LSE is probably your best bet.
2) Relax, and live a little, man. You're 16.
You have a point there. I am trying to find the balance.. :)
Also look at Imperial and UCL in the UK, they are both good insurance options.Try and stay away from Leeds and Manchester, they are reasonable but don't place well into high finance. If you are planning to come to the UK, you need to be aware that you will not qualify for full student loans (maintenance etc.) unless you have been resident here for 3 years, your tuition fees will be covered but living expenses will not. Also not so well known in the USA, but take a look at some of the Nordic universities, Stockholm School of Economics in particular is good.
So I remove Manchester and Leeds and instead I will look at UCL and Imperial. By saying not so well known in the USA what do you mean? Which of them is not well known there? I considered SSE but according to their charts, most of their alumni stayed to work in Sweden - I don't want that.
The loan covering only the university tuition fees will not be a problem, it is enough help.
Also, as long as you get a 1st/ high 2.1 from any of these universities you should be well placed for an MSC. I believe that a BSC from rotterdam automatically grants you admission to the MSC program, I think there is a similar, although not so generous arrangement at HSG.
LSE Tony...LSE...
Thanks for your response. However, could you possibly tell me why do you think so, do you have any helpful arguments or information to share?
SSE is not particularly well known outside of Europe, but it is nonetheless a good university and will place you into a solid european Msc. or possibly a job in London (which will likely end up be the route you will take). Most people do remain in Sweden, just as the majority of LSE alumni probably remain in London. If you search on linkedin for SSE alumni however, you will find a number working in London albeit mainly covering the nordics where their language skills are useful.
Don't underestimate the difficulty of getting a visa in the US; I think you will probably find that you will have to shoot for a job in London at least initially. At this stage you just need to be concentrating on your grades. Do well in those, then apply for as many of the uni's on the list as possible and see where you get offers.
Well, anon56, since I am in high school I have above 5.50 every year (the max in our educational system is 6.00) which is the grade that most of the good universities require. And I am pretty sure that I will have excellent marks during the next two years, as well.
As long as my English language is concerned, I have Certificate in Advanced English by Cambridge with grade A and my exam for the Certificate in Proficiency in English is this December. However, I intend on attending a course for TOEFL so that I am excellently prepared for it, too.
When it comes to the SAT, in a month or so I am starting to study the vocabulary for it because it is very demanding. During the summer of 2013 I will attend a course for SAT preparation in order to be well-prepared for it as Bocconi requires it and I guess I will also apply for top unis in the USA to see what happens.
Another thing I have also thought of is studying for BSc in Europe and then apply for MSc in the USA after I have some work experience and money.
As I can see, you live in the UK. Could you please tell me what life is like there? Some particular thing that I should bear in mind if I finally decide to study in England?
By the way, thank you for your quick responses and information you share!
Also a small number of the top universities in the US offer needs blind admission (they will pay for your fees and living expenses if you can't afford it) if you are prepared to study for the SAT. This applies even for foreigners in some cases. If you want to work in the US, this would help your chances a lot.
Send me a personal message.
Well, anon56, since I am in high school I have above 5.50 every year (the max in our educational system is 6.00) which is the grade that most of the good universities require. And I am pretty sure that I will have excellent marks during the next two years, as well.
As long as my English language is concerned, I have Certificate in Advanced English by Cambridge with grade A and my exam for the Certificate in Proficiency in English is this December. However, I intend on attending a course for TOEFL so that I am excellently prepared for it, too.
When it comes to the SAT, in a month or so I am starting to study the vocabulary for it because it is very demanding. During the summer of 2013 I will attend a course for SAT preparation in order to be well-prepared for it as Bocconi requires it and I guess I will also apply for top unis in the USA to see what happens.
Another thing I have also thought of is studying for BSc in Europe and then apply for MSc in the USA after I have some work experience and money.
As I can see, you live in the UK. Could you please tell me what life is like there? Some particular thing that I should bear in mind if I finally decide to study in England?
By the way, thank you for your quick responses and information you share!
tonyFF
Be sure to remember that there is a separate application process for financial aid at US universities. Also do your research: not all US universities give financial aid (typically only the top, most wealthy universities can afford to give aid to internationals) Keep in mind that in the US system, personal essays matter quite a bit (not sure if it's the same in Europe).
Also, what kind of extracurricular experience / leadership / internships have you had?
Hi marko,
Yes, I know that there is a separate application process for financial aid in the USA. However, I don't think it would be as a concern as the exam scores, essays and etc.
As for the US universities that provide financial aid for international students, I have read that mostly these from the so called Ivy League do this, which means that if I want to study there, I must be admitted in one of them - pretty hard I guess.
When it comes to extracurricular activities, I have been into bodybuilding for 2 years and a half which has helped me and still does for organizational skills, motivation and such.
I also attend an Intreract club which deals with charity, organizes events in favour of the town I live in, we plant trees and much more activities. It is an international organization and our main sponsor is the local Rotary club (Rotary is also an international organization).
As for leadership, I will do my best to be elected for the post of president of the Interact club for the next year. Also, there are seminars organized by Interact and Rotary in which leadership skills are presented.
Internships. Well, pretty sadly, there aren't any opportunities in our town - it is a very small town - and I really can't find where to do an internship.
By the way, thank you for the response!
I'll be honest. Those extracurriculars do not seem very "amazing" - certainly not Ivy level. Combine this with the fact that internationals are at a disadvantage in the admissions process (there are only so many internationals that a college is willing to admit), and it will be tough to get into an Ivy.
Also keep in mind that every year admissions gets more competitive due to increasing numbers of applicants and limited spots.
The good news is that you have plenty of time: 2 years.
You want leadership, but more importantly, you want actual responsibilities; you want to be able to say how you did this and organized that and started this initiative, etc... That's going to be more important than simply being president of X club.
Actually leadership is not necessary, per se. You just need to reach a high level of whatever you do - club leadership, school government, sports, scientific research, work experience, national competitions, etc...
For example, here's a sampling of the type of people who get into Harvard/Princeton from my school (each is a separate person who is only distinguished by doing that): 1) placed in a national science competition or made it to a national olympiad team 2) organized own community service initiative 3) random club leadership (not very impressive) + near-perfect test scores + stellar academic record + sports (undistinguished) + interned at a lab 4) school government 5) recruited athletes
For schools that are not HYP, you don't need to be quite as high-level. Being well--rounded will get you into Cornell, Brown, Penn (non-Wharton),
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