I’m an international student from Singapore deciding between CMC and LSE. At LSE, I have an offer for politics & economics and at CMC, I plan to major in economics and data science. I’m currently deciding between the two, I have plans to do an MBA from a reputed school and do a corporate job (e.g. ib, finance, consultancy). LSE has an amazing name globally, but CMC has an incredible quality of education and also good job placements. I have no idea where I want to work, but I do know CMC is very hands-on with their students. But at the same time, who would leave LSE? Need some advice!!
These links offer analyses that pertain to your interest in studying economics:
https://ideas.repec.org/top/top.uslacecon.html
https://ideas.repec.org/top/top.econdept.html
For a sense of how CMC compares to other U.S. schools with respect to your longer-range goals, search “Top MBA Producer Schools — Infographic.”
"who would leave LSE?’
somebody who wanted a better student experience? somebody who wants a broader course than econometrics with a sprinkle of government? somebody who wants to be part of a collegiate community? somebody who doesn’t want to live in London? somebody who isn’t sure of their direction and wants to develop their broader thinking processes?
At LSE you will be one of many- including lots from your region (~1/3 of students) who want the name (and with whom you will compete when you go home). You will be able to compete for that summer-after-second-year internship so that you can compete for that job at an MC or IB firm when you go back home.
At CMcK you will be one of the few (~15% students identify as Asian). You can take classes that don’t have an obvious link to your major- but can help you grow into more than just another interchangeable quant. Internships are an integral part of the experience, so you will return home with more experiences and experience- and a better sense of the environments in which you thrive and what sort of life you want to build.
How’s that?
Since you are from Singapore & do not know where you want to work, LSE is the safer option due to its well respected reputation in the English speaking world. Plus, LSE is only 3 years, while CMC is a 4 year degree course of study. Use the extra year for a masters degree.
Possibly biased by the fact that I have an international background and went to graduate school in the UK, but I agree with Publisher on choosing LSE as the preferred option.
Big fan of CMC, but for an international who doesn’t know where they want to work, LSE is a no-brainer.