[Bertoz]

Hi everybody, this is my very first post, actually after several weeks of being passively involved in the community !
I took this opportunity to ask you a question about a doubt that lives in my mind since several months .. I have been admitted to both LSE Msc Finance and Oxford Msc Financial Economics master.. and I still have to choose definitely between these two programs.

I know LSE is by far recognized as the best one, but the program outlines in Oxford is more appealing (but maybe too much theoretical), and life in London is by far better than in a small town. Oxford on the other hand has the "oxford experience" and a great brand recognition (even in the US), even though in the strict London-Finance-Banking field, LSE is more recognized.

Another aspect that i took into consideration, is the fact that LSE has many graduates every year that compete, meanwhile oxford is more elitary with less than 80 people.

Could you guys give me some help ? I have no WE and my intention is to work in London in the Banking sector, more in Asset Management and PWM rather than IB, maybe in the long term break into private equity industry (this is also one point in favour of Oxford, as LSE is veeeery focused on IB).

Thanks in advance !

[InTheNameOf]

In the end, both programmes are at the same level so you can be as subjective as you want in your decission and in your reasons for picking one programme over the other.

For me, I would choose Oxford for the "Oxford Experience". I also heard that, eventhough the students at LSE's Msc Finance are outstanding (thanks to the high applications-per-place ratio), the programme itself may be less demanding.

[drugs]

Although you have a dilemma, it is the right kind of dilemma. Congratulations on your fantastic offers. You will most definitely not be wrong by choosing either option.

They're all fine offers, LSE is the hottest banking/finance recruiting ground. I think it's more important to have a cogent story to tell when you get to interview, and any of those names get you an interview. Having a good story comes (in my view) from having done things you really care about and enjoyed.

I personally would say don't go for LSE, if you want to do finance, you'll come to regret having spent more time before your career with the same people! LSE'rs have a well deserved rep for being finance obsessed and a bit tedious. You'll get an intense, financey network sure, but I'd take a bunch of Oxford friends any day.

I would say however that finance from LSE turns you from a keen generalist into a keen generalist with specific skills that an M&A team could use 'straight out of the box'. Oxford is the more theoretical option but that by no means implies that it is a lesser course.

Sorry I don't have a silver bullet to help you make your choice. I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

[sj27]

(Original post by drugs)
Although you have a dilemma, it is the right kind of dilemma. Congratulations on your fantastic offers. You will most definitely not be wrong by choosing either option.

They're all fine offers, LSE is the hottest banking/finance recruiting ground. I think it's more important to have a cogent story to tell when you get to interview, and any of those names get you an interview. Having a good story comes (in my view) from having done things you really care about and enjoyed.

I personally would say don't go for LSE, if you want to do finance, you'll come to regret having spent more time before your career with the same people! LSE'rs have a well deserved rep for being finance obsessed and a bit tedious. You'll get an intense, financey network sure, but I'd take a bunch of Oxford friends any day.

I would say however that finance from LSE turns you from a keen generalist into a keen generalist with specific skills that an M&A team could use 'straight out of the box'. Oxford is the more theoretical option but that by no means implies that it is a lesser course.

Sorry I don't have a silver bullet to help you make your choice. I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

On the other hand, a more specialized function could use the MFE skills "out of the box" too (I believe for example unless it's changed, you get taught Matlab as part of the course - not sure LSE would for this course?). It's my impression as drugs said, LSE more general,Oxford more specialized but I also get the sense it is seen as more rigorous. As others have said, I don't think you could really go wrong with either. (My preference would be the MFE, just because I think it is the more interesting course...obviously that's very subjective.)

[Econla]

Oxford mfe is much more rigorous than LSE finance, because is based on economic theory.
It's hard to compare both. It's easier to compare LSE F&E with Oxford MFE.
LSE MFin is applied. Oxford is theoretical plus some applications.
I would take Oxford.


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[Pink Liquid]

Neither. By what you have written, you are too immature for either.
Don't do it. It would be a bad investment. (At the present moment)

[Bertoz]

(Original post by Pink Liquid)
Neither. By what you have written, you are too immature for either.
Don't do it. It would be a bad investment. (At the present moment)

I think that Admission offices at LSE and Oxford are more suited than you to evaluate my adequacy to the courses. Plus, my application to both school comprised more documentation and statements with respect to the thread I previously posted.

Think about your investments

[sj27]

(Original post by Pink Liquid)
Neither. By what you have written, you are too immature for either.
Don't do it. It would be a bad investment. (At the present moment)

He is not the first person to post in the postgrad threads about finding it difficult to decide between two very good unis/courses, and I am sure he won't be the last. This does not make someone "immature".

[Econla]

(Original post by Pink Liquid)
Neither. By what you have written, you are too immature for either.
Don't do it. It would be a bad investment. (At the present moment)

Let me try to translate:

Immature = lack Of professional experience??

Bad Investment at t0 = european crisis??

Please elaborate your thesis


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[madooxno7]

Well conratzzz on such a nice offers you have got there.

I was just curious if you can please share your Profile with us.

GPA ? . GMAT ?

[Bertoz]

Graduated in International Economics (course entirely taught in English)
Major in Finance from Bocconi University, GPA 29,2/30 , expected grade 110/110 cum Laude (equivalent to 1.1 in the UK)
No work experience (at all)
GMAT 740 (Q 50, V 41)
Exchange programme at the University of California, Los Angeles,
Fluently spoken Italian,English,Spanish.

[rangervoong]

I would like to point out that the MSc Finance is a generalised course, which means you get to try stuff here and there but not actually specialise or have a main focus. The oxford course is more specialised and as someone said if they did add matlab that is definitely a bonus, it depends what you want to do,

I myself got in for MSc Fin Math at UCL because I want to become a Quant. I believe that the Fin Eco is also possible to become a quant too assuming you have exposure to the matlab econometric toolbox.

my bottom line is both will get you someone in life but if you want something special go for the oxford one, as that is a "unique" course at oxford.

the MSc Finance courses are loaded with people (Cash Machine)
I know that LSE had like 91-96 people on that programme.
imperial has almost double that.

by all means oxford is only slightly more expensive, but I'm pretty sure the class sizes are much smaller. (my MSc Fin math class is expected to have about 15 people... YAYYYYYYYYYY)

[FusRohDah]

(Original post by Bertoz)
No work experience (at all)

I'd be worried about that.

[Bertoz]

already concerned .. i m trying to overcome this lack with other stuff (financial modelling study pack, 4 languages spoken in total, CAIA certificate)

[Kostopintos]

[QUOTE= cum Laude (equivalent to 1.1 in the UK)
No work experience (at all)
GMAT 740 (Q 50, V 41)[/QUOTE]


Congratz on the offers!

i am wondering how long did it take you to prepare for GMAT?

What is the best strategy if you could give a few brief advices?

What did you get in quantitative part out of 800 and verbal out of 800?

How did u think u stand out only if we consider personal statement?

Did u have extra curriculum activities?

Did u apply for Cambridge Finance course?

it would be very helpful if you could respnd on these questions, as i am plannignto apply there too

Kindest regards.

Kosta

[Reaganyee]

Hi al,

So Bertoz, which program did you choose in the end? LSE-MSc Finance or SBS- MFE?


I took 2 months off to study Gmat and i got a Q50 and V38.


What are the chances for me to secure a place within either of these places?

Any comments?
Reagan

[Reaganyee]

Hurray!!! I got an admit onto MFE 13/14! It's like a dream come true!


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[Mr. Roxas]

Oxford.

The Oxford experience, brand name recognition world-wide, amazing connections in the UK and outside of the UK, well-respected in the USA (could even break into WS), housed in a world-class business school, lots of amazing students from all over the world many of them are sons and daughters of some of the most influential people in their respective country, opportunities in the long term, and so on. That said, LSE MSc Finance is amazing too. It's just that, Oxford, being the oldest university in the English-speaking world... is truly special.

[Reaganyee]

Hi Roxas, were you from Oxford MFE too?


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[Mr. Roxas]

(Original post by Reaganyee)
Hi Roxas, were you from Oxford MFE too?


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My alma mater unis are Warwick (undergrad) and Brown. I don't think I'm that great enough to get into Oxford. Having said that, I personally prefer Cambridge to Oxford.