LSE/Imperial/Oxford Msc Finance/Financial Economics - Chances

I think it would absolutely help to get recommendations from people you've worked with. They want to see how valuable your work experience has been, I see this as a huge consideration.

And what about London Business School? have you considered that? I believe they have a joint program with Columbia, although that may just be their exec MBA program.

I've actually been doing very well on my job - fast track promotion, project leading exp, etc.

I did consider LBS but it seems like I might need more work exp... and timing is a big issue for me due to personal matters and I would really like to enroll in 2012 instead of waiting for a couple more years.

What do you think abt my chances? The LSE MSc Finance admission rate of 3% really bothers me.

im pretty sure that you will be required to submit a reference letter as part of the application. Look on the LSE Msc Finance website and you can see some of the CVs of current students. Their profiles arent overly impressive from what ive seen.

Good chances.

Get a rec from your boss. You will need recs anyway.

Imperial is safety. Other than that, Cass and Warwick.

Are tou joking?You have stats to do an MBA,and you are worried about LSE and Imperial?You will definately be accepted,but it will be a waste of time.Oxford is better,but agains they dont require WE,so I dont know if it will be useful to you.The only MSF you should apply is LBS,and admission wont be easy.

Yes, why aren't you looking at MBA apps? You want to switch, have the background and profile and stats, and you're looking at Msc over MBA?

hmm one of my considerations is that my work exp might not be sufficient for a top school... and i don't want to go for a "safety" choice. I specifically want to switch over to M&A... I don't want to go back to management consulting after school and I've seen way too many of my friends falling back into the consulting stereotype after a MBA.

does that make sense at all?

An MBA is probably the best way to break into banking from consulting. An MFin helps as well in the rebranding, but a 2-year program at a top 15 school helps you build out your network, learn some relevant skills, and gain access to some great recruiting opportunities.

If you've already got your heart set on those schools (which others are saying may be below you), why don't you just add some MBA applications to that and see what happens?

I graduated from LSE with a MSc in Economics. The Economic and Finance programs are excellent at LSE. But I would like to caution you that these programs are highly theoretical in nature - suited more for a career in academia than the industry. Having said that, I would however also like to point out that all the top banks do come to LSE (both for final placements and internships). Most of the top banks are located a short distance away from the campus. Do keep in mind that the London job market is still reeling under recession and finding a job can be a struggle.

Best of luck!

Three points: If you want to work in US,study there,not abroad. MBA is better for investment banking (M&A),MSF is usually for more quantitative fields If you insist on an MSF,choose Princeton or MIT,I believe by far the best MSFs gloabaly.

Have a looks at the MSc Management at LBS, it is a sort of pre-experience MBA.

I did think about MSc Management - But i did get into LSE Msc Management and Strategy and decided against going because the large number of people they send into consulting... and i'm already in consulting.

what are my chances with LBS MiF? The website says most applicants have 5-6 years of experience.

i was also thinking about LSE MSc Finance and Private Equity, but I can find very little information on this program online. Anyone knows whether it's worth trying for?

not sure if OP is trolling.

your qualifications (apart from the lowish GMAT) destroy pretty much everyone on Oxford/LSE finance masters.

not trolling... not at all

the thing is i believe i have a weak profile for a top MBA but a fairly ok profile for a MiF - and I would like to do something more quantitative and finance-focused. Anyone knows how competitive it is to get into the LSE MSc Finance and Private Equity program?

You have to realize smthg.Most people who apply to LSE have just finished college.They have no work experience.Their low admissions rate is because they get a lot of applications,not because they select few people.Therefore,unless you screw up your essays etc,you wont have a program.But I dont believe that LSE and Imperal are good enough for smb with such WE and good academic stats. PS LSE's MSc Finance and Private Equity is the same as its Finance,with the only difference being the compulsory Private Equity course,which in the other program is an elective.

You have to realize smthg.Most people who apply to LSE have just finished college.They have no work experience.Their low admissions rate is because they get a lot of applications,not because they select few people.Therefore,unless you screw up your essays etc,you wont have a program.But I dont believe that LSE and Imperal are good enough for smb with such WE and good academic stats. PS LSE's MSc Finance and Private Equity is the same as its Finance,with the only difference being the compulsory Private Equity course,which in the other program is an elective.

I was looking over Imperial/Oxford student profiles and did a brief search on forums - it seems like a lot of the applicants are already in banking...?!!

and i was just looking at LSE student CVs - it seems like everyone has 3.8+ GPA

wondering if my 3.6 GPA would hurt my chances?