LSE v KCL (w/scholarship) v Warwick

I started at KCL for Law in Sept 2017 and was given the £15k law scholarship. I left in Nov 2017 due to struggling with mental health, being away from home was so hard, the course was so tough and I just couldn't handle it all at the time. So I reapplied for Sept 2018 at LSE, Warwick and Birmingham. I got offers for all and KCL said I could come back next year if I wanted.

The thing is, I only applied to LSE to fill up a space and to see if I'd get in (kind of an ego thing since I didn't apply last year) because at that point I was so done with living out for uni, I just wanted to stay at home with my family and study so I was deadset on Birmingham or Warwick. All this time I've settled with the fact I will study at home and it really made me feel better and comforted me a lot. Having your family with you, especially when you have very bad anxiety, and studying a course like law, makes everything so much easier. I was dead set on it!!

But now that I've actually got an offer from LSE for law I'm shocked. Like how can I reject this???? Now I can't help thinking maybe it will be different this time if I choose my accommodation and having had a taster of the LLB at KCL I'll be a little more prepared. Idk I'm just very confused. My mum is totally against me moving out again after last time because she knows I struggle with mental health and she wants me close to her whereas my dad just wants me to not regret giving up a great opportunity and he just wants me to do everything I can to have an amazing career and he feels if I choose Birmingham > LSE/KCL I'm really not opening myself up for what the world could offer.

Am I just letting the prestige of LSE get the best of me like some sort of superiority complex? Like if I do end up at Bham/Warwick will I always think "I got a place at LSE." :frown:

Reply 1

squeakysquirrel

Original post by OkashiAddict

Then go to Warwick. Perfectly good university. You could then do a masters at LSE. Your mental health is important . It sounds like you still have issues and they won't be far below the surface.

bump

Yeah I live in Birmingham, but I wouldn't move away from home to go to Warwick as the commute isn't that long.

Reply 4

OkashiAddict

Thanks, I'm gonna really think about these points.

Reply 5

MJlover

Hi there, I'm a second year LSE student, who is living with 3 mental health conditions. Here is my two pence:

if you are going to LSE, make sure to get in contact with the Disability and Well-being services of the uni.

Do you have a responsible relative that can make sure you do contact them for support arrangements?

You will also get an academic adviser, they are also somewhat responsible in your pastoral care and overseeing your study progress (at least thats what they are doing for me)

Also we have peer volunteers from among the students, who you can talk to about your experiences at the school :smile:

Also, maybe look into applying for DSA during your student finance application. This is so you can get a specialist mentor that will help you so much throughout your degree.

:smile:

Best of luck with your decision :smile:

Reply 6

OkashiAddict

Original post by MJlover

Also, maybe look into applying for DSA during your student finance application. This is so you can get a specialist mentor that will help you so much throughout your degree.

:smile:

Best of luck with your decision :smile:

Hey, thanks for this info!

Could you please give me more info about how it was for you in the first term at LSE? Was is tough fitting in and did you struggle with homesickness?

Reply 7

MJlover

Original post by OkashiAddict

Hey, thanks for this info!

Could you please give me more info about how it was for you in the first term at LSE? Was is tough fitting in and did you struggle with homesickness?

It was always tough as it was firstly a shock to my system with being only 18 when I enrolled. I felt intellectually intimidated and stopped speaking in class for my first year.

I think its a really good thing that you have studied at KCL before as you will be more acquainted with LSE's demanding education system, and you have experience of class settings so wont feel out of place :smile:

Homesickness, yes. I'm from London but an hour's journey away from LSE. I have a habit of rushing after classes to come home, but want to solve this by moving to halls next year.

Also, I've heard Rosebury and Passfield are the most welcoming and friendliest halls for LSE, perhaps you can make more friendships there and feel less homesick :smile:

Reply 8

OkashiAddict

I've been speaking with my parents all evening and now just read your post and it's really had an impact on me! Everything you mentioned reminds me so much of KCL and why I didn't like it. When I left people said to me I'm crazy for throwing away the scholarship money but I did it because my happiness came first. Yes, if I were to return, they would still give me the scholarship but it's really come down to Warwick vs LSE. I would still choose LSE over KCL, I just don't think KCL(and the scholarship) is worth it if I could stay at home and attend Warwick. LSE is on another level, that's the only reason I'm reconsidering my decision to move out for uni. But having read what you've said about it, the experience seems very lonely, competitive and dead, not ideal for someone like me who suffers from severe anxiety and comes from a poor working class background.