Lse 2016/2017

Since I haven't been able to find an LSE 2016/2017 thread, I thought I might as well And if I've just overseen it then let me know!

I'm applying for EU Politics and either Social Policy (European and Comparative Social Policy) or Philosophy & Public Policy. Anyone else applying or know anything which might help with picking between the latter two?

I'd also be curious about how you handled/are handling the statement of purpose when applying for two courses... one which addresses both, or two separate (shorter?) ones, or something in between?

How is everyone structuring their personal statement? I was thinking something like 1. academic background/how I came to be interested in the topics of the course/relevant experience 2. main research interest and rambling about what I'd like to research and 3. why I have to study it at LSE?

Yeah I did exactly that! Basically introduction (how I came to be interested), academic history, relevant experience, main research interest, and finish with why LSE (who in the department/which modules fit into my research interest).

Also I'm doing taught, but I have a main research interest still.

Dreambyday, yes. Im doing opening (like an attention grabber, my interest for the course, academic background, professional experience and then tie it all together in a conclusion. I am applying for a Tought masters so no research there

Thanks for your reply! I'm applying for the taught and research version of basically the same course (I think) so my "research interest" part is more like, what I want to learn more about throughout the course.


Regarding the attention-grabber you mentioned, a professor who is mentoring me of sorts told me to not go for something personal/grandiose because it would make British people recoil in fear (I'm French and we're pretty expressive lol) so I went for something super boring e.g. "I am currently a student at X and upon graduating I aim to study at LSE because blah." Do you think it's a good idea or...?

On another note - anyone applying to UCL as well? I am thinking of applying to the European Public Policy masters but worried it's not an ideal foundation for further research since it seems a bit "executive"-oriented...

I see, when you said research interest I thought you mean like a well planned research proposal for the course. I of course include my interest in the course and what I want to learn from it as well. I also included the module that I would hypothetically really want to study due to the Professors research interests in the subject I am most interested in.
I am not British either so I don't know how much personality or standard application they want in their personal statements. I didn't really do anything major, just included a backstory of why I am interested in this particular course over any other, however I might be wrong? I've been told to make the first sentences stand out, because the team reads hundreds of these. But then again, I'm studying in an American university and they are into this kind of "grandiose".P.S. Are you applying to Science Po, DreamByDay?

Yes, I am actually applying to at least 6 universities because I am the sort of person that always stresses of not being accepted so I want to have many backups. Im applying to LSE, UCL(International Public Policy), KCL, University of Edinburgh, Science Po and Graduate Institute in Geneva.
What do you mean by executive oriented?

Re: personal statement - ah, I see. Like you, I also outlined my main interest and the related modules I'd study. In my original draft I had also started with an anecdote (how during my first politics tutorial I was the only one to hold up my hand when the tutor asked "who feels like they are a European citizen" and it was awkward but eye-opening). But then my professor told me I should play it safe because they want to get to know me as a professional, not my personality. At least that's what she said about my Oxford statement (she used to teach there)...at the same time my personal statement is now less eye-catching so I am still undecided. So I think your mileage may really vary.

Re: other applications - I'm applying to UCL as well, to Oxford (although probably wasting my time) and also to the double degree between LSE and SciencePo (European Affairs). I'm also applying to my current university, University College Dublin which is less prestigious but has amazing professors that I'd love to work with as well.

Also - My parents live in Geneva with the rest of my family and most of my high school friends go to the University of Geneva though, so if you are not from there and have any questions about the city, etc, I'm very happy to try and help