LSE or Warwick? Politics and IR
I've received offers for Politics and IR at LSE and PAIS at Warwick. The few people that I have told have said that LSE is the no-brainer option as it is a more prestigious university, however, I'm not sure.
While I would love to go to LSE I think I would struggle to make friends especially as I wouldn't be staying in the accommodation. LSE also has many international students and I've heard that they can be quite closed off to meeting people who aren't from their own country, is this true? Everyone says you will "find your people" but I'm scared that I won't. This is not me being prejudiced, my main concern is that these international students are usually quite wealthy and I am not. How could I fit in?
The competitive nature is also a bit overwhelming. Not with the studies but with the whole internship culture, it just seems a bit toxic to me. I don't think my course would have this same level of competition which probably occurs in the Law and Economics courses, but it is still nagging at me.
I would love to have a second opinion on this, am I overthinking?
While I would love to go to LSE I think I would struggle to make friends especially as I wouldn't be staying in the accommodation. LSE also has many international students and I've heard that they can be quite closed off to meeting people who aren't from their own country, is this true? Everyone says you will "find your people" but I'm scared that I won't. This is not me being prejudiced, my main concern is that these international students are usually quite wealthy and I am not. How could I fit in?
The competitive nature is also a bit overwhelming. Not with the studies but with the whole internship culture, it just seems a bit toxic to me. I don't think my course would have this same level of competition which probably occurs in the Law and Economics courses, but it is still nagging at me.
I would love to have a second opinion on this, am I overthinking?
Original post by isab.mae
I've received offers for Politics and IR at LSE and PAIS at Warwick. The few people that I have told have said that LSE is the no-brainer option as it is a more prestigious university, however, I'm not sure.
While I would love to go to LSE I think I would struggle to make friends especially as I wouldn't be staying in the accommodation. LSE also has many international students and I've heard that they can be quite closed off to meeting people who aren't from their own country, is this true? Everyone says you will "find your people" but I'm scared that I won't. This is not me being prejudiced, my main concern is that these international students are usually quite wealthy and I am not. How could I fit in?
The competitive nature is also a bit overwhelming. Not with the studies but with the whole internship culture, it just seems a bit toxic to me. I don't think my course would have this same level of competition which probably occurs in the Law and Economics courses, but it is still nagging at me.
I would love to have a second opinion on this, am I overthinking?
While I would love to go to LSE I think I would struggle to make friends especially as I wouldn't be staying in the accommodation. LSE also has many international students and I've heard that they can be quite closed off to meeting people who aren't from their own country, is this true? Everyone says you will "find your people" but I'm scared that I won't. This is not me being prejudiced, my main concern is that these international students are usually quite wealthy and I am not. How could I fit in?
The competitive nature is also a bit overwhelming. Not with the studies but with the whole internship culture, it just seems a bit toxic to me. I don't think my course would have this same level of competition which probably occurs in the Law and Economics courses, but it is still nagging at me.
I would love to have a second opinion on this, am I overthinking?
im in the same position as you except for straight politics. I was honestly considering rejecting LSE for KCL purely became of the same fears. I wanted to have fun at university whilst learning and felt LSE would kill my passion for my course and i had the exact same worries about making friends and the finance bro culture.
However, i went to the open day and got in contact with some students who said they adapted and have enjoyed their time there significantly and its given them opportunities which they wouldn't have got anywhere else. Ofc it can be anti-social and cliquey and very international but i think if you're a hard worker you can mould your university experience. I ended up deciding to firm because i felt like it would put me in a good position because having LSE on your cv is powerful. im not an internship girl so i will be staying away from those stressed out finance students but you will meet so many different people across the world and there will always be people that match your energy!
Original post by isab.mae
Thank you, this has helped me a lot. I'll firm LSE, now I just have to get the grades for it lol! It's a shame I didn't go to the open day and I couldn't go to the offer holder day, what did you think of the facilties and the campus when you went?
Facilities are great with a small but intimate campus. I liked the fact it wasn’t massive. Despite people saying it didn’t have a campus “feel” due to the city life there’s so many coffee shops and restaurants and chill spots
If you want a more normal student experience at a sensible campus Uni. go to Warwick.
Just be aware that LSE is now increasingly over-focussed on recruiting ££ overseas students - at last glance, it was 67% overseas and most of those are Chinese. Nothing wrong with this in itself, but it may have an impact on your idea of good 'student experience'.
And remember, the brand name of your Uni does not guarantee you an amazing career or a fantastically happy life.- so just 'going to LSE' will not in itself improve your life chances. Be realistic about the myths set up around 'which Uni' - ultimately your career, and your life, is actually up to you,
Just be aware that LSE is now increasingly over-focussed on recruiting ££ overseas students - at last glance, it was 67% overseas and most of those are Chinese. Nothing wrong with this in itself, but it may have an impact on your idea of good 'student experience'.
And remember, the brand name of your Uni does not guarantee you an amazing career or a fantastically happy life.- so just 'going to LSE' will not in itself improve your life chances. Be realistic about the myths set up around 'which Uni' - ultimately your career, and your life, is actually up to you,
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