LSE postgrad applicants 2012-13

Sounds about right. Slightly off-topic but I was browsing through the Cambridge Graduate Forum, yesterday and the primary reason for lower in-take levels seems to be failure to obtain funding, rather than meeting offers.

LSE has incredibly high fee's, so they will probably give out ~150 offers. A lot of people are likely to be funding-dependant.

I would love to know if people's funding situation (as specified in application forms) contributes towards an offer or rejection. I know universities say that it doesn't but I'm still very pessimistic about it.

Thanks.

Any advice on how to get good letters of recommendation? Apart from getting good grades.

Should I try to visit certain lecturers during their office hours in order to make them familiar with me?

Well, yes. Get to know the lecturers who share your research interest/MSc interests. Ask them if they've got any research they'd like to do (always a winner). Be keen.

Although, I don't know how your lecturers are. Mine are on facebook/twitter, so we chat about things beyond academia.

Hi Folks. Applied for Economic History MSc, currently Geography BA at KCL.

I'm on a low 2:1 (62ish) in Geography, but have strong Extra Curriculars and an internship that could go some way into explaining for this. The MSc only requires a 2:1 but I was wondering if offers ever stipulate that one has to reach a certain level of overall grade. E.g. 65+ average, and not just simply a '2:1 or 1st'.

Thanks

A little confused! Ask the lecturers if I can help them with their research?

And if he'll get 63/64% what will it happen to him ? rejected automatically or .. ? need some insight of this

Yes, they have done this last year.
The econ history has intensive maths material.

Really? The modules didn't look that quantitative unless you pick the quantitative ones, and it did say that people from social science backgrounds were good candidates for the material, of which many of the modules are very similar sounding to what I'm doing already..

Oh well, fingers crossed huh!

Hey all. I'm an American applying to LSE for an MSc in Politics and Communication. I'm a little unsure about my chances. I have a 3.98 GPA (all A and A- grades), am a student in their honors college, will graduate Summa Cum Laude, and have been recognized in the top 1% of my class. I go to a very large state school that has a good reputation in my state, but is not a nationally prestigious one.

But I have a few major problems. First, my application is getting in late. My letters of recommendation, and application, will not be complete until mid to late January. At first I didn't worry because LSE's email to me after starting my application said that their most popular programs don't begin to close until mid-February. But reading a few posts on here makes it sound like timing will severely hurt my chances of admittance.

Second, I feel my letters of recommendation will be good, but probably won't blow the selectors out of the water. My professors know me for my success in a class setting and from my own independent research, but I have no significant relationship outside of class with any of them. I'm planning on submitting a professional reference (which will be spectacular) from one of my internships, which was related to my field of study, along with my two academic references, in case that helps.

Do you think the timing and letters are enough to sink the application, or will my GPA and academic success push the application forward?

Really? The modules didn't look that quantitative unless you pick the quantitative ones, and it did say that people from social science backgrounds were good candidates for the material, of which many of the modules are very similar sounding to what I'm doing already..

Oh well, fingers crossed huh!

I think most schools will say that by design, there shouldn't be a difference in the chances of getting in. But speaking to some of the admin personnel at roadshows, generally the earlier the better. And given that lse operates on a rolling admission basis, I'd think it does affect your chances somewhat. All things being equal that is...

Dvm258, your profile looks pretty strong. Just give it a shot! You never know.

All the best everyone!

I know the office is still on break but I can't help but check my email still.

Rolling admission?

I think it is recommended to submit two PSs if your first one is very focused on your first choice. However, I consider those two choices should be more or less related, because your career goals must be pretty the same in both of these PSs. If they are not, then I would think that in one or in the other you are lying.