London School of Economics

<p>How hard is it to get into a graduate program at LSE for a US student? I plan on double majoring in economics and envi. sci. for my undergrad, what chances would I have to do to get into LSE for my masters</p>

<p>Depends on which masters you’re talking about. MSc in Finance/MSc in Economics will be very competitive. But most of the mickey mouse degrees they have like MSc in Human Rights are a shoe-in with a 3.5 GPA.</p>

<p>Whilst it is true that some degrees at the LSE are much less competitive than others, none are ‘mickey mouse’ - indeed, from what I’ve heard it’s actually very hard to be accepted to the human rights MSc.</p>

<p>Depends on where that GPA is coming from also. You can get into some programs with a 3.3-3.5 if you are from an Ivy or what LSE regards as top schools in the US. It varies though- know people who had 3.8 and people who had 3.3 to 3.4 but keep it safe and get as high as you can.</p>

<p>So 3.3-3.5 would be ok, and higher would be better if you go to a reputable school, 3.7-3.8 if not. I know some kids with Phi Beta Kappa who did not get in and 3.4’s who did when I was in college.</p>

<p>Oh and very important is experience, see these kids I knew with 3.3 could speak more than one language, had experience in international organizations e.t.c</p>

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<p>Human rights is not a mickey mouse degree- there are some people who are more interested in effecting social change than counting big bucks.</p>

<p>does LSE have a program in environmental economics?
also would Rutgers- New Brunswick be considered a “top” school by them? (its ranked around 50th in the US in the US news college ranking magazine)</p>

<p>Yes, LSE has a few environmental MScs that might appeal to you:</p>

<p>MSc Environment and Development
MSc Environmental Economics and Climate Change
MSc Environmental Policy and Regulation</p>

<p>They also have a joint program with Columbia: MPA Earth Systems Science, Policy and Management and either MSc Environment and Development or MSc Environmental Policy and Regulation </p>

<p>I think it is a good idea to maintain a 3.5+ if you want to attend LSE and of course, the higher the better. However, the MSc Environment Economics prospectus says that they will consider appropriate work experience. (From what I’ve read on a UK students forum, it seems the MSc Finance, any “Accounting” masters, and others like them pretty much require appropriate work experience and top grades.)</p>

<p>I’ll be starting the MSc Regional and Urban Planning Studies this fall. My GPA was 3.9+ from Cal, but I was surprised at how easy it seemed. No GRE! Only 2 academic letters of recommendation! (And one of mine was not even a professor, just a staff lecturer, although I did work with him a lot as an intern.) No relevant work experience! Pretty much every American I know who applied to a social science program at LSE was accepted, but I think they all had excellent grades or some other outstanding thing about them. Or maybe LSE just wants our money since we pay a lot more than UK/EU students and almost never get much, if any, funding. ;-)</p>

<p>“Depends on where that GPA is coming from also. You can get into some programs with a 3.3-3.5 if you are from an Ivy or what LSE regards as top schools in the US. It varies though- know people who had 3.8 and people who had 3.3 to 3.4 but keep it safe and get as high as you can.”</p>

<p>I agree. It seems to be easier for American students than for European students. Probably because they idolize the US (and American schools), like most countries in the world.</p>

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<p>Are you serious? If it is indeed easier for internationals it is only because LSE want your cash (something they may have to rethink what with the Libyan embarrassment and government restrictions on foreign student visas). It certainly is not any easier for American applicants to gain admission than applicants from other international fee paying countries. Idolise US schools? Ha!</p>

<p>Money is only part of the reason. That’s how I felt when I was in the UK. They were even impressed by the University of Minnesota and the University of Maryland.</p>

<p>“It certainly is not any easier for American applicants to gain admission than applicants from other international fee paying countries. Idolise US schools?”</p>

<p>You’re privy to LSE admission officer’s opinions on particular universities are you?</p>