How well should I do in GMAT to get into LSE?

Hi, I'm currently studying in Hong Kong and I want to further my study in UK, perhaps doing something related to Econ/Finance. Now I face some problems.

1)My academic results are not that good, only a 2-1. However, I do quite well in my paper writings and I have my own publication on a journal. Would that help? And I am going to take GMAT. How much gmat score do I need to get into schools like LSE or Imperial College?

2)And how important is my academic reference? Is it necessary for me to get a "big guy" to write me one? Would a reference from a mere "associate prof." be too weak? Or it only depends on the content? If I can get "non-academic" references from established businesspeople, would that help?

Thanks for helping out! Pretty frustrated right now.

 
Best Response

Being as I'm American, I have no idea what 2-1 means or how you can "do quite well in Your paper writings" and still have crappy grades. But as for your title question ("How well should I do..."), that's easy: do as well as you fucking can. If you're not an academic rockstar, spend the money on a top-notch prep course and get the highest score possible on whatever standardized test you're taking.

The answer to the rest depends on the advanced degree you're getting. If you're getting an MBA, they won't ding you because your good rec comes from an associate prof, but they will ding you for shitty grades, so your score needs to be really, really high (750+). Plus, if you want an MBA, you're not getting in anywhere good without some serious post-graduate work experience.

If you're not getting an MBA, why the hell are you taking the GMAT? Maybe the UK is different, but in the US, Masters/PhD programs want a GRE score. They'll also weight your academic publications and recommendations a little bit more highly, but if your grades in Finance/Econ suck, your odds are not good.

One of those lights, slightly brighter than the rest, will be my wingtip passing over.
 

Hey thanks for your answer. Maybe I should clarify something to avoid confusion.

First, by 2-1 I mean I am having approximately 3.3 in GPA. Basically because my GPA got dragged down by some irrelevant courses.

Second, I am planning to do a MSc in schools like LSE/Imperial College.

Just wondering how well should I do in GMAT.

BTW, thanks for straightening things out!

 

The average GMAT at LSE last year was around 680, but I imagine that that could be higher now and there's no reason to aim just for that. Try to get as high a score as you can.

People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis, you can't trust people Jeremy
 

Thank you for comment. do they really care about verbal section? or just overall score is important? And what if I take GRE instead? I can take 170 on Quantitative but I'm sure verbal will be low again.

 

yes it's possible, but i'm worried about availability of program. Latest update shows it's still open, but who knows about next month?! I wanna take GRE or GMAT in first possible date. Is any chance that my application be considered if i apply on March?

 

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