LSE v.s. Carleton College

<p>Right now I am facing a dillema of choosing between LSE (london school of economics ) in UK and Carleton College. I am an international student doing the IB and I will have to wait till the IB results are out to firmly know if I have a place in LSE. But ultimately if the choice does come down between LSE and Carleton I will be really confused so I am thinking a bit ahead. </p>

<p>I most probabily want to major in some kind of quantitative economics and in LSE I have the conditionally offer for economics and maths. However I was worried if I go to LSE and find out that I don't like economics then I will scewed... so in terms of that Carleton will be a better place.</p>

<p>Repuation of an university is important for me because it is important for me to get a job in Asia. In terms of repuation i believe LSE is a better choice.</p>

<p>However I like the sense of community which Carleton would be better at providing. But an arguement against that is that in the real world I would be living in a city so it is better to face the "real world" at London than be sheltered in a small town like Northfield. </p>

<p>In terms of cost they are both pretty much the same.</p>

<p>I would really appreciate any help, advice or suggestions from anyone. Thank You</p>

<p>To me, there is really no question. LSE takes the cake.</p>

<p>I have a true fondness for LSE, because everyone I know from LSE is great, and because London is one of my favourite cities in the world. Besides, there is just no match for the career opportunities that come with an LSE Econ degree. </p>

<p>The LSE is a fantastic place to study because it has the most diverse, international student body of any institution of higher education (except maybe Insead): over 50% foreigners in undergrad, and over 70% at the graduate level. Combine that with London, an incredibly lively and international city, and some of the best academics in the world, and the LSE is just one of the best ways in the world to broaden your horizons, from every point of view.</p>

<p>That being said, there's a lot to be said for the education you get at a LAC. A LAC education would be a lot more personal than what you would get at the LSE. And according to my American friends, LSE academics are much more European, i.e. rigid and top-down, than what you find at US schools, where you are much more challenged to think for yourself and come up with your own answers. That would be Carleton's edge. </p>

<p>But unless that sort of LAC thing is vital for you, I would definitely go for the LSE.</p>

<p>Ledzep has analyzed the options quite nicely. Given your career objectives, I would have to recommend LSE for you (and heaven knows I'm a Carleton enthusiast). LSE has a very high name recognition, especially in the international marketplace. Good luck!</p>

<p>LSE is by far your best option.</p>

<p>Clearly you must come join me at LSE next year. =p Even if you discover you don't like econ and maths, you only have a 3 year degree, so it wouldn't be as bad. Plus, like you said, getting a job is important and three years of boredom is probably worth the great job you can get with an LSE degree.</p>

<p>carleton is a VERY good school, but LSE has the prestige</p>

<p>LSE has more international prestige if you plan to enter the job market immediately after undergrad. But, if you're interested in going to grad school in the US first, Carleton will provide at least as good opportunity to gain admission into top schools.</p>

<p>If you are up for Grad, Carleton - it'd be more fun and better for life. If only UG, gotta be LSE.</p>

<p>Yes I do plan to go to grad school (and hopefully a good one)... But won't it be difficult to get internships etc in asia during summers etc. from carleton?</p>

<p>I know a lot of people from carleton go on to get PhDs etc. Do you think going to LSE would actually hurt chances of getting into a good grad school or will it be the same as carleton?</p>

<p>Well, one problem with this question is that the deadline to deposit at Carleton has already passed. Did you deposit to Carleton and you are just waiting to verify the LSE admittance and sacrificing the deposit. Because I don't know if Carleton will still accept it if you haven't deposited yet...</p>

<p>I attended LSE for my junior year while going to an LAC similar to Carleton back home. I would take Carleton, even given the greater prestige associated with the LSE. LSE is located in the core business district of a big city. There are no dorms or housing at the "campus" (which is a city block), the students are spread across the the whole city (one of the largest in the world). I had a great time exploring London for one year, but it wouldn't have been much of a college experience for three. I got to know the students in the house that I lived in London, and they were great, but I did not get to know my classmates at the LSE.</p>

<p>I just got back from a visit to LSE last week. The campus is awful, most of the facilities kind of run-down, and the library, while huge, is incredibly depressing. However the careers service and bookstore are both really good. I visited Kings College too, and that place is waaaaaay nicer. That said, I may well accept LSE's offer of admission -- but I'm going for postgrad, which is only 1 year. I would not want to spend 3 years at LSE.</p>

<p>I have no idea what Carleton College is like, because I haven't heard of it.</p>