London School of Economics
London
Warning about LSE
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Original post by JohnGreek
True - I always found it interesting that one of the most individualistic unis in Britain had progressive founders 
To be honest, the current state of LSE is, ironically, somewhat in line with some of what its Fabian Founders intended. Having realised that a socialist revolution was unfeasible, it made more sense for them to achieve gradual change in an epoch of mass enfranchisement through educating the working and middle classes so that they can better themselves and access positions of influence in order to make the world a fairer place. This meant improving social mobility in London by offering working and middle-class citizens who lacked access to an Oxbridge education a mixture of commercial and social science courses. This would allow them to acquire wealth and make UK society more equal. The fact that the LSE is now a training ground for investment bankers seems to be pretty much in line with that objective, especially considering that, having been at LSE for a year, the LSE does take a fair amount of people from UK comprehensives.
Then, when you look at the ethos of the output of the various faculties of LSE you often see a continuation of the Fabian spirit in the practical approach to social problems that is present in LSE academic research.
(edited 7 years ago)
London School of Economics
London
Original post by KT942
Like I said I'm not suited to LSE or the london lifestyle rn. Find it overwhelming at 19. In hindsight, I would have suited the london lifestyle later on in life (maybe 24/25). And again, I'd like to reiterate that I made this post to advise students especially those who want to attend LSE solely to break into investment banking; there are alternative unis which offer you the same prospects as well as providing you with the whole uni experience.
I like this post.
A mate failed his firm ICL offer, went elsewhere, absolutely loved it, met his wife there, and then went to London to work and now enjoys it.
The part about IBs is very accurate, too.
Original post by KT942
I totally agree with you. Ambition is a great thing. I would consider myself an ambitious person. However, there is a problem when certain individuals become so consumed with ambition that they adopt a ruthless mentality. Especially when it comes to internships. I have a friend at Warwick who said that all those applying for internships help each other out a lot and share notes etc. That mentality of 'helping each other out' is unheard of at lse. Everyone is uber competitive.
Do they still do EME at LSE? If so, swap. Small course and we were all tight-knit, helping each other.
Original post by mahmzo
is Bristol a good Uni to get into Investment Banking
yh
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Thanks for posting this.
I was going to go to a university like this one but I did my own research and spoke to actual students that were going to various universities, former students at universities, as well as talked to lecturers to find out what the universities, courses, the people, and the surrounding areas were really like.
It's good to point these things out to other people so they're not duped into believing that just because a university has been ranked highly that it's going to be a good university for them, and that there may be a lot of problems with that university that you don't know about.
Always do your own research, and take into account what people like KT942 say about the universities that they're going to. Remember that this is potentially 3 to 4 years of your life you're going to spending in that place (as well as a hell of a lot of money you'll be paying back from a student loan), don't spend that time and money on somewhere that you're going to be miserable in.
I was going to go to a university like this one but I did my own research and spoke to actual students that were going to various universities, former students at universities, as well as talked to lecturers to find out what the universities, courses, the people, and the surrounding areas were really like.
It's good to point these things out to other people so they're not duped into believing that just because a university has been ranked highly that it's going to be a good university for them, and that there may be a lot of problems with that university that you don't know about.
Always do your own research, and take into account what people like KT942 say about the universities that they're going to. Remember that this is potentially 3 to 4 years of your life you're going to spending in that place (as well as a hell of a lot of money you'll be paying back from a student loan), don't spend that time and money on somewhere that you're going to be miserable in.
(edited 7 years ago)
I heard the exact same thing, but I would still go for the brand name
Original post by KT942
O.K, I'm writing this because I wished someone had done the same for me when I was applying to University, and been honest about what it’s REALLY like at LSE. I have also been reading threads about how people think that achieving a place at LSE is the be all and end all of everything. I am a Second year student at the University, and wanted to make a formal warning to people wanting to apply to this University, because I don't want others to be duped the way that I was and then arrive here and realise what a colossal mistake they have made.
I knew before I came to LSE that it wasn’t going to be a ‘fun’ uni. I was aware of how dissatisfied students were at LSE but I decided to put that all aside and do it for the future prospects that a degree from LSE could offer me. Let me tell you that was the biggest mistake of my life and given the choice again, I would pick a friendlier, less academic uni over this shite hole.LSE was made out to be a vibrant, cosmopolitan uni with students from all over the world. The truth is that the international students (mainly Chinese) are cliquey af. They stick together and rarely interact with the home students. I have been in lectures where I have attempted to talk to some of the pupils and they brush you off and start talking in their own language to their friend from the same country. The rare home students that you’ll meet are either ‘rahs’ or socially awkward beyond belief.
The societies are crap. You can’t have a light hearted conversation without someone trying to be politically correct. The lecturers are awful. Many are post graduates who don’t want to be there. In some of my lectures I could barely understand what the lecturer was talking about because his English was so bad. The workload is unbearable. The ‘LSE culture’ is vile, everyone is trying to get one up on each other all the time. London in general is just an awful place tbh. LSE has no campus so there isn’t a university feel to it at all. It feels more like a workplace. Londoners in general are just unfriendly (lord forbid if you smile at a stranger). It’s a busy, expensive, isolating place where you just feel insignificant. The careers service is diabolical too.
Now with my *****ing out the way (lol) the point of this post was to advise people. I browsed TSR a lot during my application process and there was this false notion that the strongest way to get into investment banking was through LSE. This is totally false. My internship at JP Morgan had students from Warwick, Birmingham, Manchester etc. And they were all loving their uni experience.It takes a certain type to study at LSE. For those who are debating between LSE and a uni like Warwick pick the latter. LSE is a cold, isolating place which has sucked the life out of me. If you want a real taste of University life, do not come to LSE.
I knew before I came to LSE that it wasn’t going to be a ‘fun’ uni. I was aware of how dissatisfied students were at LSE but I decided to put that all aside and do it for the future prospects that a degree from LSE could offer me. Let me tell you that was the biggest mistake of my life and given the choice again, I would pick a friendlier, less academic uni over this shite hole.LSE was made out to be a vibrant, cosmopolitan uni with students from all over the world. The truth is that the international students (mainly Chinese) are cliquey af. They stick together and rarely interact with the home students. I have been in lectures where I have attempted to talk to some of the pupils and they brush you off and start talking in their own language to their friend from the same country. The rare home students that you’ll meet are either ‘rahs’ or socially awkward beyond belief.
The societies are crap. You can’t have a light hearted conversation without someone trying to be politically correct. The lecturers are awful. Many are post graduates who don’t want to be there. In some of my lectures I could barely understand what the lecturer was talking about because his English was so bad. The workload is unbearable. The ‘LSE culture’ is vile, everyone is trying to get one up on each other all the time. London in general is just an awful place tbh. LSE has no campus so there isn’t a university feel to it at all. It feels more like a workplace. Londoners in general are just unfriendly (lord forbid if you smile at a stranger). It’s a busy, expensive, isolating place where you just feel insignificant. The careers service is diabolical too.
Now with my *****ing out the way (lol) the point of this post was to advise people. I browsed TSR a lot during my application process and there was this false notion that the strongest way to get into investment banking was through LSE. This is totally false. My internship at JP Morgan had students from Warwick, Birmingham, Manchester etc. And they were all loving their uni experience.It takes a certain type to study at LSE. For those who are debating between LSE and a uni like Warwick pick the latter. LSE is a cold, isolating place which has sucked the life out of me. If you want a real taste of University life, do not come to LSE.
Being Chinese, I feel slightly embarrassed when they are being cliquey. I try and avoid it all the time in the school and integrate myself with home students.
Do you think I'll be fine if I make an effort though? Or would there be prejudice against me? I'm applying to the LSE for 2017 (IR to be specific) and I don't think I will ever not put it down on my UCAS, despite your warning...
Original post by cfang99
Being Chinese, I feel slightly embarrassed when they are being cliquey. I try and avoid it all the time in the school and integrate myself with home students.
Do you think I'll be fine if I make an effort though? Or would there be prejudice against me? I'm applying to the LSE for 2017 (IR to be specific) and I don't think I will ever not put it down on my UCAS, despite your warning...
Do you think I'll be fine if I make an effort though? Or would there be prejudice against me? I'm applying to the LSE for 2017 (IR to be specific) and I don't think I will ever not put it down on my UCAS, despite your warning...
There won't be prejudice if you make an effort, don't worry!! Just get involved and avoid being cliquey (especially early on) with anyone and people will be glad to get to know you/ do things w you.
Should definitely apply, it's a great uni and don't let this one thread put you off. Have a visit/ look round once you've applied or got an offer and get a better feel for it (as well as your other choices) to make a better informed decision. Best of luck.
Original post by smegsxo
Well now I'm more apprehensive about going to LSE. I mean, I'm not the sort to enjoy nights out getting black out drunk and much prefer to stay in or just go for a meal or to the pub, but I worry my friends at other places will enjoy their time more and I'll be lonely and jealous. Is there a way to enjoy LSE or is it more the people who just want to go out and get drunk that don't enjoy it?
My advice is don't restrict yourself to just making friends at LSE. My friend who lives in intercollegiate halls is having the time of her life cause she knows people from kings, ucl etc. So yh I would say don't just stick to the students at lse.
Original post by LegalPrinciples
What halls were you living in, in 1st year, and were you in the AU?
I was living in one of the 'fun' halls. But here's the thing, everyone at LSE is very very academic (I mean thats a given, you're at lse)..they are also very determined about making it in the city so the lse type of fun is very tame compared to the type of fun other unis have. I wasn't part of the AU mainly because I wasn't up to their standards (they're very good)
Original post by drandy76
Have you tried any of the university of London societies? Or are they not worthwhile?
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I haven't tried the university of london societies. I might join some this year tho.
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by philerus
To be honest, the current state of LSE is, ironically, very somewhat in line with some of what its Fabian Founders intended. Having realised that a socialist revolution was unfeasible, it made more sense for them to achieve gradual change in an epoch of mass enfranchisement through educating the working and middle classes so that they can better themselves and access positions of influence in order to make the world a fairer place. This meant improving social mobility in London by offering working and middle-class citizens who lacked access to an Oxbridge education a mixture of commercial and social science courses. This would allow them to acquire wealth and make UK society more equal. The fact that the LSE is now a training ground for investment bankers seems to be pretty much in line with that objective, especially considering that, having been at LSE for a year, the LSE does take a fair amount of people from UK comprehensives.
Then, when you look at the ethos of the output of the various faculties of LSE you often see a continuation of the Fabian spirit in the practical approach to social problems that is present in LSE academic research.
Then, when you look at the ethos of the output of the various faculties of LSE you often see a continuation of the Fabian spirit in the practical approach to social problems that is present in LSE academic research.
I'm going to have to disagree with you. I think that the Fabians would be turning in the graves if they could see what the LSE has become. It hasn't improved social mobility or offered working/ middle class students the opportunity to make UK society equal at all. Instead, it has become a place where the international elite descend upon to fuel their capitalistic dreams. The LSE is nothing more than a brand. Unfortunately, the vast majority only attend the school to realise their ambition of becoming investment bankers instead of having a genuine interest in social science so yh I don't think the Fabians would be best pleased.
Original post by cfang99
Being Chinese, I feel slightly embarrassed when they are being cliquey. I try and avoid it all the time in the school and integrate myself with home students.
Do you think I'll be fine if I make an effort though? Or would there be prejudice against me? I'm applying to the LSE for 2017 (IR to be specific) and I don't think I will ever not put it down on my UCAS, despite your warning...
Do you think I'll be fine if I make an effort though? Or would there be prejudice against me? I'm applying to the LSE for 2017 (IR to be specific) and I don't think I will ever not put it down on my UCAS, despite your warning...
Yeah you'll be fine if you make an effort. And IR isn't a quant subject so people will tend to be more social (they usually are for qual subjects)
Original post by glebp
I heard the exact same thing, but I would still go for the brand name
A lot of people still would but studying at this uni has taught me that brand name can only stand for so much (imo Warwicks brand name is just as strong)..Take into account the workload at LSE compared to other unis as well. Recruiters won't give your application a second glance if you get a 2.2 (even if the degree is from lse)
this thread makes me so sad because my best friend in the whole world is going to be studying bsc economics at LSE this september, and she suffers from depression and anxiety so this kind of environment could seriously negatively affect her and exacerbate her mental health problems. i'm counting on the fact that it's perhaps not as bad as you say and her experience might be different.
Original post by tanyapotter
this thread makes me so sad because my best friend in the whole world is going to be studying bsc economics at LSE this september, and she suffers from depression and anxiety so this kind of environment could seriously negatively affect her and exacerbate her mental health problems. i'm counting on the fact that it's perhaps not as bad as you say and her experience might be different.
Sorry this wasn't my intention at all. I'm sure your friend will be fine- the student union at lse raises awareness about the mental health issues amongst students. Also like you said, her experience may be completely different from mine
Every time I've been to London I've hated it. Its the most horrible city on earth.
All the London universities as well. They all have some delusion of grandeur which is completely unwarranted. Are they bad? No, but they are by no means the only good universities. LSE isn't even a real university in my eyes - its a factory for pumping out soulless husks which can go and work in a bank somewhere.
All the London universities as well. They all have some delusion of grandeur which is completely unwarranted. Are they bad? No, but they are by no means the only good universities. LSE isn't even a real university in my eyes - its a factory for pumping out soulless husks which can go and work in a bank somewhere.
Original post by KT942
Sorry this wasn't my intention at all. I'm sure your friend will be fine- the student union at lse raises awareness about the mental health issues amongst students. Also like you said, her experience may be completely different from mine
would economics be classed as one of LSE's quant courses? i know i can't expect economics, of all degrees, to not be completely intense and demanding - but surely it would never go as far as to worsen her problems if sufficient help was available for her?
Original post by jamestg
I'm so confused why anyone would want to go to any London uni.
Almost as if some people like London
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Original post by tanyapotter
this thread makes me so sad because my best friend in the whole world is going to be studying bsc economics at LSE this september, and she suffers from depression and anxiety so this kind of environment could seriously negatively affect her and exacerbate her mental health problems. i'm counting on the fact that it's perhaps not as bad as you say and her experience might be different.
I'll be doing sociology and I have anxiety so it's made me a bit apprehensive, but I guess the experience will be as good as you make it! I'm sure, with the right help and support system she'll do great, has she got good halls/a good place to stay?
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Original post by smegsxo
I'll be doing sociology and I have anxiety so it's made me a bit apprehensive, but I guess the experience will be as good as you make it! I'm sure, with the right help and support system she'll do great, has she got good halls/a good place to stay?
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yes - she'll be at carr saunders, i believe! ironically, she'll be living closer to UCL than me, even though i'm going to UCL
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