LSE vs Columbia Dual BA with Sciences Po

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello there,</p>

<p>I am an international student who is trying to choose between the London School of Economics and Columbia's Dual BA Program with Sciences Po (for undergrad). Before anybody asks: I declined my other offers in the US before May 1. Choosing between a US university and a UK university is not the same as double-depositing given that you don't know whether if you are going to meet the conditions of your offer in the UK.</p>

<p>My situation: I have an offer to study IR in LSE, and I am planning on studying politics and economics if I choose the Dual BA program. I would like to go to a good grad school after I graduate and eventually work for a solid international affairs related organization. </p>

<p>Columbia's Dual BA with Sciences Po:
This program awards you with two bachelor's degrees. You spend the first two years of your undergraduate life in France and then move on to Columbia (having completed most of your core requirements)
I will get to learn two new languages- Arabic and French (they are required to graduate from Sciences Po)
Although I am a high school student, I will be a student of the School of General Studies because apparently the advising/the core requirements of GS were more suitable for a 2+2 international college experience.
It is a lesser known program, but I am told that factors like international exposure and language skills will enhance my self-development and make me a stronger candidate for the kind of jobs that I want.</p>

<p>Con: It is lesser known. Not many people know about Sciences Po in my country. It may sound quite unusual to my future grad school/employers and this may be a disadvantage somehow (or an advantage because of its unusual nature). Slightly easier to get into than LSE but that doesn't say anything. Maybe the fact that it is a GS degree and not a CC degree may cause some confusion. Trivial reasons really, but given that both of the programs are good, I factor everything in my decision making process. Really hard to maintain a good GPA because of the language requirements. You also have to complete some course&core prerequisites once you get to Columbia, I am told that this is hard to maintain with combined subjects such as Economics and Politics.</p>

<p>LSE:
A straight IR degree. I won't have any room to venture.
A really good IR program & well-known around the World.
Slightly better student life in London.
Has a language center that offers to teach any language of your choice (not included in the academic program though so I would have to work on my own amid my schedule)
World-class speakers who intrigue me visiting the campus
Maybe slightly better name recognition?
I can get my masters in international economics later to make up for the more narrow nature of the subject (IR is a really broad subject on its own though)</p>

<p>I am really confused. I get nightmares about making the wrong choice! I would appreciate any kind of comment.</p>

2

<p>No help ? :’(</p>

3

<p>Go with the Dual BA:) Hopefully this isn’t too late!</p>

4

<p>@rottenegg,</p>

<p>Sorry for the delay in response. I’m a current Columbia GS student and tour guide, and while I’m not in the Dual BA Program, I did reach out to a student in the program who provided the following input.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>The Dual-BA is definitely an advantage for future employers since it’s a smaller program than LSE, and therefore more competitive</p></li>
<li><p>Whether it’s GS or CC doesn’t really matter since the difference is mainly administrative, and the classes/professors are the same for everyone</p></li>
<li><p>If learning two languages might be too much, the student should consider going to Reims and focusing on French</p></li>
<li><p>The core classes at Columbia are easier than the major requirements, and some courses taken at Sciences Po will transfer to Columbia - the Menton campus offers the most classes that will fulfill Columbia requirements</p></li>
<li><p>The student could easily get into LSE for a master’s degree, and Sciences Po also offers a double degree in international affairs with LSE ( <a href=“Dual Degree - London School of Economics | Sciences Po PSIA”>http://www.sciencespo.fr/psia/content/dual-degree-london-school-economics&lt;/a&gt; ).</p></li>
</ul>

<p>I hope this is helpful. If you would like to be put in touch with this student, she has offered to answer further questions via e-mail or Skype. If you’re interested, please send me a private message.</p>

<p>Sincerely,
Christina</p>