LSE Postgrad 2011/2012 Thread

Buddy I'm telling you it's not a pretty picture, we aren't in America where grades can be "compensated" for stellar blah blah, all my friends here who've done masters at LSE Oxbridge Imperial all say if you don't have the "recommended" gpa for a program its pretty much saying goodbye but thanks for the application fee. When I looked at grad schools outside the states what struck me was how strict they are about gpa and at least for international students, school name. Its not like in America where a good sob story ps can melt the hearts of an admissions counselor or a single extra curricular can make up for a low gpa. One of my Research Advisor's colleagues here at Peking University teaches LSE students at LSE-PKU and he said that all the non uk students he taught at the program were from the top 20 US schools or top 1-2 of the individual's home country. You should really think hard about what's at your level.

MSc in Global Media & Communications (LSE / USC)
MSc in Media & Communications (Research)
Quinnipiac University, CT
3.22
4 years of work experience - strategy role in telecom, analyst role within consulting and an internship within strategy in media publishing. Worked in 3 different countries and lots of extra curricular activities in college (RA, Administrative Assistant, Albert Schweitzer institute volunteer etc.)

Had a few questions:
1. Normally obtained GPA for the programs I am interested in is 3.5. Is this a recommended average or the minimum to be considered for the program?

2. For the Global Media & Communications program, LSE & USC, both require personal statements. Should I send one common statement to both or two different statements.

3. Since I will be listing MSc in Media & Communications (Research) as my second choice, do I need to do a separate personal statement for this program or will the one that I write for the Global Media & Communications program suffice?

4. My professors from college will be writing me recommendations. However, since I have been working for 4 years now, can I also ask my manager to write me a recommendation highlighting my recent achievements? Does this help in any way?

Appreciate your help in answering these questions.

Cheers,
V

I graduate from university this June 2011, when should I apply for LSE post-grad? If I want to start as soon as possible after graduation... does anyone know when the term starts?

Buddy I'm telling you it's not a pretty picture, we aren't in America where grades can be "compensated" for stellar blah blah, all my friends here who've done masters at LSE Oxbridge Imperial all say if you don't have the "recommended" gpa for a program its pretty much saying goodbye but thanks for the application fee. When I looked at grad schools outside the states what struck me was how strict they are about gpa and at least for international students, school name. Its not like in America where a good sob story ps can melt the hearts of an admissions counselor or a single extra curricular can make up for a low gpa. One of my Research Advisor's colleagues here at Peking University teaches LSE students at LSE-PKU and he said that all the non uk students he taught at the program were from the top 20 US schools or top 1-2 of the individual's home country. You should really think hard about what's at your level.

This is not entirely correct. The school's name is taken into consideration, but not as a fundamental factor. I know many LSE alumni who studied at small, unknown or very bad universities. If your marks are above their minimum requirements, your personal statement is convincing and your letters of reference are stellar, then your application doesn't hinge at all on the name of your school. If, however, you are a borderline applicant from an unknown school and they have to choose between you and a student with a similar profile but from a top university, well, then the ranking of your institution comes into play.

I have been told so by countless, countless admission tutors and lecturers too. The name of your school counts if you are an average applicant, but if you're brilliant, you're brilliant and that's all, no matter where you studied.

Wow. Are you telling me if you get a first in economics from Westminster you are a brilliant student?

hi everyone,

i am applying for the MSc in International Relations & HRM at LSE.
i am having trouble writing my personal statement. what do they expect? thanks guys!

thank you so much that helps do you know if there any sample personal statement for that degree/similar degrees available online. cant seem to find any

Correct if you are a brilliant student you are but if you looked at the guys stats he is not a "brilliant" student (no offense) he is a regular student. And at least it America its not just "the people that can afford" that go to top schools. So IDK what got your panties in a bunch but at least in the schools I know unless you can clearly afford the school they give you financial aid.