<p>I got an offer from LSE to read politics & philosophy, and meanwhile I was also accepted by Columbia.
I am very glad that I have the option to choose between these two schools. Both are great schools.</p>
<p>A little background about myself:
I am from Asia. After I graduate from undergrad I have 40% chance of going back to my country and work there. Otherwise, I am going to continue to read grad school.
In my country, both are well known. Perhaps, LSE is slightly more prestigious in job markets.</p>
<p>I am certain that I won't change my major, but I am also attracted to columbia's core curriculum. </p>
<p>Because I didn't get any financial aid from columbia, LSE is way much cheaper than columbia. But money isn't a big problem.</p>
<p>Plus, UK schools are only three years. So I can graduate early.</p>
<p>So I want to hear your opinions. I am really having a difficult time choosing between these two schools.
Thx in advance</p>
<p>I think this quite sums up, to me, the difference in American and British higher education. In Britain, university seems very much like a means to an end. People go to Oxbridge and especially the LSE for job prospects afterwards. On the other hand, American students tend to value their time in university as more of a transformative, idyllic experience. It is the time to make life-long friends, fall in and out of love, explore passions and ultimately come out a better person, while also being marketable. Granted, in the UK many people have a great experience too, I feel that there is a very clear distinction in the intent of going to college in the UK and America. No one way is better than another, but you need to realize what is better for you. </p>
<p>As you know, if you go to the LSE, you will be locked into your course, Politics and Philosophy. While it may well be your passion, you can’t switch out of this course and you will take no classes that don’t relate to this course. Columbia, on the other hand, has the Core, which forces students to take classes in all academic disciplines - a virtue of the liberal arts education. </p>
<p>Depending on what you major in, a Columbia degree may be more well recognized. The hottest courses at the LSE, as you know, are Economics and Economics and Government, and when compared to say a PPE student from Oxford, an LSE degree in Politics and Philosophy is not as prestigious. To many, it seems, LSE is only good for Economics. </p>
<p>What do you plan on studying if you go to Columbia? My general mantra is US>UK for undergraduate studies in all facets, but I am very biased too. The LSE is great, but I think Columbia will leave you with more options as to what to study while in college and where you want to go thereafter.</p>
<p>Both are great schools! If one decides on Columbia, he/she has to withdraw all the other offers as per the declaration. So, one has to decline LSE in this case prior to May 1.</p>
<p>^ I thought the deadline for accepting an offer of admission for almost all US colleges is May 1. If you dont accept or decline an offer by May 1, would that automatically imply that you have declined the offer? Why do you have to decline an offer explicitly? I fully understand the reason why you may want to decline an offer prior to May 1st (but do you have to?)</p>
<p>^ I guess LSE is a school in UK and the accept/decline date there is much later than May 1. So if one accepts a US school, its expected that he declines the other offers (LSE in this case) PRIOR to May 1.</p>
<p>^ If OP decided to go LSE, then he can still accept Columbia’s offer, because UK offers are usually conditional. He just have to waste the 300 dollars deposit. Once he meet the condition, then he has to tell Columbia that he is not going. I asked admission officer about this.
But if he decided to go Columbia, of course he has to decline LSE’s offer before May 1st.</p>
<p>Graduating with $250,000 in non-dischargeable debt is an ordeal. Even if you work on Wall Street, you’d have a difficult time paying what may total $300-350k when you accrue the interest. To give you perspective, a 1st year analyst can at most save $50k after taxes if the economy is great and they watch how they spend. A 2nd year analyst can probably save $60k. For the next 2 years, you might stay in the bank or move to another firm and may be able to save an additional $140k. However, your debt (after interest and amortization) will still probably total $70k (assuming you pile 100% of your savings into loan repayment).</p>
<p>All the while, you’ll need to think about paying for business school, which is almost always required for career advancement. That’ll set you back another $150-160k by the time you graduate. If you choose Columbia, go work in Wall Street, enjoy an unlikely pre-bubble boom for 4 years, save every penny, and pile 100% of your savings into loan repayment, you’ll still be writing student loan checks until you’re 33-35. All the while, you can say goodbye to your youth. </p>
<p>But if money isn’t a big deal, I’d choose Columbia. If you’ve got wealth, NYC is your playground.</p>
<p>Please please please choose Columbia over LSE. Oxbridge are the only institutions that are comparable to Ivy League-- LSE, UCL, Kings, in terms of experience and academic rigor, are comparable to middle-tier schools like UCLA, John Hopkins, if best Tufts. I went through the same decision, as did many of my friends, and we all feel the same way. Message me if you’d like to understand more.</p>
<p>Hi, I am in a similar situation and am deciding between a MPH with a Certificate in Health Policy Analysis at Columbia or a MSc in Health, Population and Society at LSE. LSE appeals to me because it will be a cheaper option as it is a year long program, whereas I will have to pay for two years at Columbia. I will have to take out loans to pay for my degree so financing is a huge issue for me. </p>
<p>On the other hand, I want to ensure that I have the best possible opportunity to work in the US after graduation (I am a US Citizen) and I am nervous at how a LSE degree will be received. Will the financial strain of Columbia be worth it in the long run? </p>
<p>I would be grateful for any advice or input. Thank you!</p>