The Student Room Group

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Reply 20
JSB19
Don't they teach English at your school then?


heheh. Ok, let's not all be mean even though we realize this kid can't make it to LSE.
Reply 21
sexybrowneyes88
I havent actually even started 6th form yet- wil b yr12 in september but bascially i no wat i wana do - investment banking. So ive been doing sum research 4 a while and basically the course i'm most interested in is Banking n International Finance @ Cass. However, after reading sum msgs on TSR i gt the impression that sumhow this isnt good enuf and that u need 2 b an oxbridge/lse/ucl graduate in order 2 get a job at a top investment bank. Im not bein ignorant but i refuse 2 believe this. Obviously at these uni's the only real courses that u can do 4 IB is basically economics which is fine 4 sum but i only plan 2 do As level maths and u cnt go ther unless u hav A2 level. (wel not strictly tru 4 oxford- im gona apply ther neway coz it aint a requirement.) Dnt get me wrong, im not thick (without boasting) i go 2 1 of the best grammar skls in the country n expect mainly A-A*s in a couple of weeks 4 my results n also in the long run A's at a-level (economics, geog,italian). Wud going 2 Cass 2 do IB really damage my chances in the future or shud i force myself 2 take maths to A2 level jus do do economics at oxbridge/lse/ucl etc jus 2 get into IB? B4 u say nefin, i dnt h8 maths, i jus dnt loooove it and rather study subjects im better at n more interested in. I fear not getting an A at A2 for maths n then being stuck. Alternatively i cud do sumthing like management at lse? but i'd stil rather study banking itself. wat dyu think?


Translation
I haven't started 6th form yet (I start in September), but I know what I want to do - Investment Banking.

I've been doing some research and the course I'm most interested in is Banking and International Finance at Cass. However I get the impression (from posts on TSR) that this might not be good enough and that you need an Oxbridge/LSE/UCL degree in order to get a job at a top IB. I refuse to believe this is true. At these universities the IB related courses offered revolve around Economics, which is fine for some people but not me. I only plan on studying to AS level maths and Oxbridge/LSE/UCL insist on a ful A level maths for entry onto their Economics degrees (although apparantly Oxford aren't quite so strict so I will take my chances there).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not stupid. I go to one of the best grammar schools in the country and I'm predicted to get mainly As and A*s for my GCSEs and probably As for my A levels too (Economics, Geography and Italian).

Would going to Cass to study Banking & International Finance really damage my chances in the future or should I take A full A level in maths and aim to study Economics at Oxbridge/LSE/UCL instead? I don't hate maths, but I don't love it either and I'd rather study subjects that I love and am likely to excel in than slog through an A level in a subject I'm ambivalent towards. I'm also worried that my lack of enthusiasm for maths might results in a grade below A for A level maths should I decide to take this route.

Another alternative I'm considering would be to study something management based at LSE. Ideally though I'd rather study Banking itself as soon as possible.

What does everyone here recommend?


LOL "translation" you can take away the original but ahh never mind. going to Cass or not doesn't damage your chances. It depends on yourself. there are plenty of cass students in IB however many of them could have studied in other universities. I myself could have just studied mathematics and economics in Trinity College of Dublin. So it really is up to you whether you want to specialise or go for a general degrees. now remember whether it is informal or not, if you speak/type like the way you did the first time, it will turn off lot of people in City.
sexybrowneyes88
I havent actually even started 6th form yet- wil b yr12 in september but bascially i no wat i wana do - investment banking. So ive been doing sum research 4 a while and basically the course i'm most interested in is Banking n International Finance @ Cass. However, after reading sum msgs on TSR i gt the impression that sumhow this isnt good enuf and that u need 2 b an oxbridge/lse/ucl graduate in order 2 get a job at a top investment bank. Im not bein ignorant but i refuse 2 believe this. Obviously at these uni's the only real courses that u can do 4 IB is basically economics which is fine 4 sum but i only plan 2 do As level maths and u cnt go ther unless u hav A2 level. (wel not strictly tru 4 oxford- im gona apply ther neway coz it aint a requirement.) Dnt get me wrong, im not thick (without boasting) i go 2 1 of the best grammar skls in the country n expect mainly A-A*s in a couple of weeks 4 my results n also in the long run A's at a-level (economics, geog,italian). Wud going 2 Cass 2 do IB really damage my chances in the future or shud i force myself 2 take maths to A2 level jus do do economics at oxbridge/lse/ucl etc jus 2 get into IB? B4 u say nefin, i dnt h8 maths, i jus dnt loooove it and rather study subjects im better at n more interested in. I fear not getting an A at A2 for maths n then being stuck. Alternatively i cud do sumthing like management at lse? but i'd stil rather study banking itself. wat dyu think?


Translation
I haven't started 6th form yet (I start in September), but I know what I want to do - Investment Banking.

I've been doing some research and the course I'm most interested in is Banking and International Finance at Cass. However I get the impression (from posts on TSR) that this might not be good enough and that you need an Oxbridge/LSE/UCL degree in order to get a job at a top IB. I refuse to believe this is true. At these universities the IB related courses offered revolve around Economics, which is fine for some people but not me. I only plan on studying to AS level maths and Oxbridge/LSE/UCL insist on a ful A level maths for entry onto their Economics degrees (although apparantly Oxford aren't quite so strict so I will take my chances there).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not stupid. I go to one of the best grammar schools in the country and I'm predicted to get mainly As and A*s for my GCSEs and probably As for my A levels too (Economics, Geography and Italian).

Would going to Cass to study Banking & International Finance really damage my chances in the future or should I take A full A level in maths and aim to study Economics at Oxbridge/LSE/UCL instead? I don't hate maths, but I don't love it either and I'd rather study subjects that I love and am likely to excel in than slog through an A level in a subject I'm ambivalent towards. I'm also worried that my lack of enthusiasm for maths might results in a grade below A for A level maths should I decide to take this route.

Another alternative I'm considering would be to study something management based at LSE. Ideally though I'd rather study Banking itself as soon as possible.

What does everyone here recommend?


http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/undergrad/Cass_Prospectus_2005.pdf

It actually says for BIF at Cass that they want you to have maths to a level because it helps.
Reply 23
Hi there,

Honestly, ignore everyone on the board, I don't know why they care so much about your spelling. Anyways, here is the deal. To get into IB dont worry on what subject to take at uni. Just take anything you enjoy. People in IB have degrees from all disciplines so doesn't matter if it is geography or economics (as long as you have the passion for finance which u show in ur application.) This what u need to get into IB:

1/ Good A levels i.e. AAA - BBB
2/ A 2.1 in a degree from a good uni!
3/ Work experience
4/ Extra cirricular activities

Now here is the deal. DONT go to CASS!!! Ignore what people say. You seem to be bright as you have good GCSE predictions. Now when you chose A levels, just take the ones you enjoy! Italian is good as it is a language combined with geography and economics is excellent. AS level maths is good to. You def. have good choices.

Make sure you work hard in these and get good grades and predictions. If you want to study economics then you will need maths A level for UCL. I am doing economics (final year) at Manchester and I didn't take maths at A level. In fact this is wat I took: Economics, German and Biology with Chemistry AS! It really doesnt matter what you do!

Aim for: LSE/UCL/Oxf./Camb/Bristol/Manchester/ Warwick/ Edinburgh/

These are all top unis! Cass is not that good trust me on this!

For now just concentrate on doing well in ur A levels.

Take care,
any questions email me or Pm me

Tej
Reply 24
What about Nottingham, not as good?
Reply 25
BAEconyr3
Hi there,

Honestly, ignore everyone on the board, I don't know why they care so much about your spelling. Anyways, here is the deal. To get into IB dont worry on what subject to take at uni. Just take anything you enjoy. People in IB have degrees from all disciplines so doesn't matter if it is geography or economics (as long as you have the passion for finance which u show in ur application.) This what u need to get into IB:

1/ Good A levels i.e. AAA - BBB
2/ A 2.1 in a degree from a good uni!
3/ Work experience
4/ Extra cirricular activities

Now here is the deal. DONT go to CASS!!! Ignore what people say. You seem to be bright as you have good GCSE predictions. Now when you chose A levels, just take the ones you enjoy! Italian is good as it is a language combined with geography and economics is excellent. AS level maths is good to. You def. have good choices.

Make sure you work hard in these and get good grades and predictions. If you want to study economics then you will need maths A level for UCL. I am doing economics (final year) at Manchester and I didn't take maths at A level. In fact this is wat I took: Economics, German and Biology with Chemistry AS! It really doesnt matter what you do!

Aim for: LSE/UCL/Oxf./Camb/Bristol/Manchester/ Warwick/ Edinburgh/

These are all top unis! Cass is not that good trust me on this!

For now just concentrate on doing well in ur A levels.

Take care,
any questions email me or Pm me

Tej


Excuse me, what do you know about Cass? Just saying how bad it is eh? you some expert on Cass? I am really fed up people trying to say this business school is crap and so on or that business school has no reputation, get a life really.

we don't care so much about the spelling. It is entirely different issue altogether when we are pointing out about the style of writing. You obviously don't understand that even.

Actually Nottingham University belongs inside the group of schools that are worth to apply for. Lot depends on yourself when you apply for the IB once you are from a decent university/business school.
Reply 26
sexybrowneyes88
I'm also worried that my lack of enthusiasm for maths might results in a grade below A for A level maths should I decide to take this route.


IF you are worried/scared you will die every day of your life. If you are not affraid then you will only die once.
You want to acheive what you are aiming for...you shouldn't be scared. Just do it...but work hard. If you found it hard then drop it at AS but don't be a chicken and not take it at all.
cass is a great business school. People associate it with city and put it down but it s becoming more and more recognized and their investment degrees are fantastic. My partner has jumped straight from his degree in to a job at citigroup that asked for 3 years experience in an IB but they said his degree was so specialiased that it counted for experience aswell.
Reply 28
Hey,

Sorry didn't mean to offend you guys! I didn't mean to say CASS is bad but I guess thats how it came across! Your right, it does depend on the person to get into IB as long as you come from a decent uni! However what I am trying to say is that if you had the choice would you go to LSE, UCL, Bristol, Warwick, Manchester, Nott, OXbridge or CASS?
CASS is a top 10 business school in the UK, and 3rd in london. City is ranked 4th in the UK for employability. Definately better than Bristol and Nott for Finance.
If I wnated to get into investment banking then I would go for oxbridge, and then cass i think.
Reply 31
IF CASS is so good then if you look at profiles of current emplyers at Morgan stanley or other leading IBS ive never come across ne1 thats gone to CASS??? Ive seen Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, Bristol, Manchester, Warwick, Nott., and US schools!
Reply 32
Yeah Cass might seem good as its so high up in the league tables, but that means bull shat.

The above university's are what most employers are looking at.
Reply 33
BAEconyr3
IF CASS is so good then if you look at profiles of current emplyers at Morgan stanley or other leading IBS ive never come across ne1 thats gone to CASS??? Ive seen Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, Bristol, Manchester, Warwick, Nott., and US schools!


i have to defend that line, my friends are in IB and they are students of Cass, end of the story. You may have not heard but i know them personally. One in full-time Citigroup, two in UBS internship, another did CSFB internship, gone graduate Goldman Sachs New York HQ, one graduate in JPMorgan and another formal JPMorgan doing MSc, one interning at Deutsche Bank, while another gone to ABN Amro internship (all in front office). While there are others then gone to Big4s. The list goes on. These are circle of friends/know i have in my 1st year studies only.. we are aren't bad, thats it.

edit: sorry for other readers, this has gone way off topic.. in the end its about yourself to stand out, the university will only get you interview. Don't let money blind you as well though.
Reply 34
for a start mate u need to decide whyyy ur going to do IB...seems its only for the money....
not blaming u but thats just the way everyones perception of it is...
and yes, ull need to do full maths a level...its not that difficultt trust me mate the new C modules as opposed to the P modules are much easier...

You can actually also get in to BA Economics at places like manchester...
and money banking and finance at Birmingham....
also philosophy and economics at Nottingham...
and maybe even International economics at Nottingham(which later you can change to straight Economics)

but main thing is ...is getting experience as in summer internships...

try your best to get one as soon as possible....preferably if you know inside contacts at any bank/firm

hope this helps...

PM me if you want any further details
im replying just by reading your post , not others.

CASS is one respected uni specialising in finance/investment courses.
and you are right to an extent that most IB prefer oxbridge graduates, but they will also look at other unis', such as LSE/Imperials/Nottingham/CASS.

what matters the most is to make yourself standout.
If you go look at IB's requirement
they want a 2:1 or above in any degree discipline.

i'd say try to apply oxbridge if you can get a place,along with other unis,
then decide afterwards since you have time to consider.
in the meanwhile do some more research, call up the IB you are having your eye on.
ask them if they only take oxbridges.
but is very very unlikely.
Reply 36
ok....Number 1...WHY WOULD U READ IB REQUIREMENTS!...they lie just to make it look less impossible to get a job there....

2:1 and a "respectable degree"

is what they write...OK ....UMM NOOO!!!

basically in other words...u gota have a 1st and have done economics
BAEconyr3
IF CASS is so good then if you look at profiles of current emplyers at Morgan stanley or other leading IBS ive never come across ne1 thats gone to CASS??? Ive seen Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, Bristol, Manchester, Warwick, Nott., and US schools!



My partner went to cass and is full time at citgroup, he was offered jobs from dresdner, rbs, futex, and jp morgan. Hids friends from the course, one is at UBS, another at goldman sachs, two at dresdner and people on the course he didnt know that well have various other placements. your at nottingham so what do you know about cass or any inv bank?
graduate_kc
im replying just by reading your post , not others.

CASS is one respected uni specialising in finance/investment courses.
and you are right to an extent that most IB prefer oxbridge graduates, but they will also look at other unis', such as LSE/Imperials/Nottingham/CASS.

what matters the most is to make yourself standout.
If you go look at IB's requirement
they want a 2:1 or above in any degree discipline.

i'd say try to apply oxbridge if you can get a place,along with other unis,
then decide afterwards since you have time to consider.
in the meanwhile do some more research, call up the IB you are having your eye on.
ask them if they only take oxbridges.
but is very very unlikely.



PS: well said!
Reply 39
ok...for a start...please look at my sig...im not at nottingham...
but thanks for the compliment:smile:

ye...maybe your partner got a job there ...and maybe his mates did too...but IB jobs these days are soo hard to get...

its virtually impossible..if you dont go to the top universities...and dont geta 1st at university....every TOM DICK AND HARRY wants to do INVESTMENT BANKING just for the money....no-one even knows what it is....but that doesnt mean those TOMS AND HARRYS are not good applicants...who dont get 1sts and are not at the great rep uni's....


On average IB jobs used to have around 1000 applicants to 1 place...in 1999

ok...since then its been 5 years and when this year 12 will graduate it will be about 2010 meaning 11 years from then WITH EVER INCREASING PEOPLE WANTING TO GET INTO IB...

loook ...times have changed !....
:P

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