Can I still get into LSE?

I am an American who just graduated from a fairly good university here in the US. I had hoped for a 3.5 GPA but ended with a 3.43. I have always wanted to attend LSE for graduate school to earn an MSc in International Relations but I am concerned about whether or not LSE will accept my application.

LSE's website states that international students require a 3.5 GPA for admissions. Is this a strict policy? Usually universities here in the States give a requirement that is equivalent to the GPA average of all students; however, they accept individuals above and below that average.

So my question to you is, do I still have chance? Some of my strong points are: I speak Arabic (intermediate high) and Mandarin (novice), have lived in London, Cairo and have participated in a fellowship for Al Gore.

Reply 1

username149848

1

Go for it! In general the 'minimums' and 'average' numbers for graduate school are not set in stone, whether it be in the US, the UK or elsewhere - It is about selecting the best applicants who apply, and that is all. I wouldn't rule yourself out based on GPA alone, especially since you are not short by much, but I'm sure you know how many IR applicants are out there and how competitive LSE will be in the subject. The worst thing that happens is they reject you, and that is better than not applying to begin with.

Reply 2

Bismarck

13

It's not a strict requirement. They have a scale, where they're willing to tolerate lower GPAs from better colleges anyway. No harm in applying. By the way, they have rolling admissions, and it's in your interest to apply as early as possible.

Reply 3

Wildbore

cronin

LSE's website states that international students require a 3.5 GPA for admissions.

It doesn't say that on LSE's website. In the Canadian section it specifies a 3.3 GPA, and last time I checked Canadians were international student as well. So best to stop making sweeping unfounded generalizations about LSE's international admissions policy.

Reply 4

WhoNeedsIvyLeague

A friend of mine got into the same course at LSE with a 3.4 from Berkeley...so that only substantiates the above comments.

Reply 5

cronin

OP

1

Thanks, I am definetely still going to apply. I just wanted to get a sense of whether anyone had gotten in with a GPA lower than 3.5.

As for my "sweeping unfounded generalizations," I believe this says that the admissions requirement for a USA citizen is 3.5: http://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/graduateProspectus2008/entryRequirements/Default.htm

Reply 6

installedpear

2

they want a 2.1 from an english university - which is not as good as 3.5 from what i understand.

Reply 7

flowernose

I would definitely apply but I'd advise you to pick a back-up program as well. You can apply for 2 programs (or even more if you're willing to pay the fee again), so if you don't get into IR you'll be considered for your 2nd option too.

As far as my situation, I had a 3.42 GPA from a good university, with work experience and multiple languages, I applied in late November and I didn't get into IR but was accepted to my 2nd choice, Comparative Politics. In the end I'm happy with it as the courses are similar and I get to specialize in Conflict Studies, which is what I'm interested in.

Generally the 3.5 minimum is not an absolute requirement, but because the MSc IR gets so many applications, you will have to put together a very good application to have a chance. Your academic qualifications are the #1 factor that LSE is going to consider so do everything you can to prove to them you will be capable of doing the coursework- whether through your letters of recommendation, your personal statement, etc. I'd also recommend applying as soon as they start accepting applications in September or October. Let me know if you have any more questions about LSE as I'll be starting there in a month or so.

Reply 8

Albiceleste

5

installedpear

they want a 2.1 from an english university - which is not as good as 3.5 from what i understand.

Wel, you understand wrong, little one. Very, very wrong.

Reply 9

Kitty Pimms

17

Albiceleste

Wel, you understand wrong, little one. Very, very wrong.

Well, he's not completely wrong. 2.1 equivalent GPAs usually range from a 3.0 - 3.7 (in university entrance requirements) that I've seen.

Reply 10

cronin

OP

1

flowernose

I would definitely apply but I'd advise you to pick a back-up program as well. You can apply for 2 programs (or even more if you're willing to pay the fee again), so if you don't get into IR you'll be considered for your 2nd option too.

As far as my situation, I had a 3.42 GPA from a good university, with work experience and multiple languages, I applied in late November and I didn't get into IR but was accepted to my 2nd choice, Comparative Politics. In the end I'm happy with it as the courses are similar and I get to specialize in Conflict Studies, which is what I'm interested in.

Generally the 3.5 minimum is not an absolute requirement, but because the MSc IR gets so many applications, you will have to put together a very good application to have a chance. Your academic qualifications are the #1 factor that LSE is going to consider so do everything you can to prove to them you will be capable of doing the coursework- whether through your letters of recommendation, your personal statement, etc. I'd also recommend applying as soon as they start accepting applications in September or October. Let me know if you have any more questions about LSE as I'll be starting there in a month or so.

Exactly the information I was hoping to hear. Thanks a lot, that was a great help.

I'll probably apply to a few as I am interested in three of the MSc programs offered at LSE. Congratulations on getting in and good luck in September. If you don't mind sharing, what university did you graduate from and what kind of work experience did you have? Also, which languages? It seems like my applications may be similar to yours.

Reply 11

flowernose

I went to Oberlin College (small liberal arts college, ranked somewhere in the top 20 in the US), my work experience is: 1 year managing a non-profit youth program, 1 year teaching English, and 4 or 5 internships with various nonprofits/NGOs. I speak Spanish well, intermediate Japanese and beginner Arabic. Yes it does sound like our applications are fairly similar, I think your best chance is to apply as soon as they start taking applications and really play up your academic strengths- papers written, seminars taken etc. LSE may care a bit more about work experience than other UK universities but not nearly as much as most US IR programs, in my opinion. Also I took the GREs (I applied to programs in the US too) and did pretty well so I sent them my scores, it's not a requirement but I thought it would make my GPA look a bit better. So that's another idea.

Have you considered any other schools as well? If you want to be in London King's is excellent for security/intelligence type stuff as well as SOAS for development. There are other good schools too but I don't know much about them as I didn't apply. But in the end it just had to be LSE for me :smile:

Reply 12

hopefulday

My GPA is 3.41,but I come from a university in CHINA...I heard from a friend who got a offer this year that the lowest GPA is 3.4.

Reply 13

Wildbore

cronin

Thanks, I am definetely still going to apply. I just wanted to get a sense of whether anyone had gotten in with a GPA lower than 3.5.

As for my "sweeping unfounded generalizations," I believe this says that the admissions requirement for a USA citizen is 3.5: http://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/graduateProspectus2008/entryRequirements/Default.htm

True, the required GPA for Amerian students is 3.5. No one has disputed that. In your first post you said the required GPA for international students was 3.5, so either you were making sweeping generalizations or you misspoke.

Reply 14

fahadraja

out of interest do you guys think its possible to move from a undergraduate finance related program (with a first from Cass business School) onto a degree like IPE or other Political Sciences related masters at say LSE?

Finance THEORY is dull and I really want a social science based masters but I am unsure whether I can make the move across.

Reply 15

Bismarck

13

fahadraja

out of interest do you guys think its possible to move from a undergraduate finance related program (with a first from Cass business School) onto a degree like IPE or other Political Sciences related masters at say LSE?

Finance THEORY is dull and I really want a social science based masters but I am unsure whether I can make the move across.

I certainly saw a few people with a degree like that in the IR program. You just have to convince the admissions people (in the personal statement) that IPE is what you really want to study.

Reply 16

fahadraja

Brilliant that is good to hear, thanks for that. Given me a little confidence boost and more reason to apply.

Reply 17

Mos Def

17

fahadraja

out of interest do you guys think its possible to move from a undergraduate finance related program (with a first from Cass business School) onto a degree like IPE or other Political Sciences related masters at say LSE?

Finance THEORY is dull and I really want a social science based masters but I am unsure whether I can make the move across.

Which modules ? :frown:

Reply 18

fahadraja

Bismarck are you currently at LSE?

Mosdef its personal preference you may love it but me not so much

Reply 19

tk921

Don't know if this forum is active, but I just wanted to ask if anyone knows how the process turned out. I have a similar background(3.37 from a top US university) and wanted to know if there is still a chance to get into LSE.
Thanks!

Can I still get into LSE?

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