<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I got to decide between Cornell PAM and LSE Econ. Did some research on both schools for 3 weeks, but still need more inside info before making a final decision. I'd like to move on to do a master's degree and work in the financial industry.</p>
<p>Cornell (Policy Analysis and Management):
I was offered Cornell Presidential Research Scholarship which less than 2% of Cornell undergrads receive. It basically gives $8000 a year to conduct my own research with a mentor professor. The sad thing is, I cannot get an additional loan forgiveness ($4000 a year) becuase I'm an international...duh. Anyway, I hope the research opportunity will deepen and nourish my understanding of what i'm studying at undergrad level and also enhance my chance at grad school admissions.
Cons? I'm not sure I'll survive at Cornell's competitive atmosphere, which might hurt my GPA. The competition seems quite cutthroat compared to that of LSE.</p>
<p>London School of Economics (Economics):
3 yrs, cheaper costs. FWIW, straight economics is LSE's flagship department. Recruitment-wise, LSE is heavily recruited by the banking industry in London; it also has an awesome career service center. No idea how well internationals do in terms of job prospects, though.
There are some complaints that LSE might be somewhat overrated. I read that the school is consistently underfunded so they have to admit kids from abroad as a cash cow, and the teaching quality is not on the par with american colleges.</p>
<p>When it comes to the perception of Cornell and LSE in the real world, which school do you suggest is better? I don't mind what folks on the street think, but you know the name recognition can better get one to the interview table. Any other perspectives to think about? I have to pick a country over another, and I'm really torn between the two. Any insights will be appreciated.</p>
<p>Where are you from, the UK?</p>
<p>It largely depends on where you want to get the job post graduation. If you want a job in UK, LSE is better. Job placement at US, then, Cornell will give you more opportunities.</p>
<p>I would do LSE, it has a very good reputation for the financial industry. If it were not for the weak dollar, my daughter probably would have applied for schools in Scotland/England.</p>
<p>oh ok. They are both excellent schools. As far as the world goes, I would say LSE is easily more respected than Cornell. Cornell is kind of a funny university-many believe that had it not joined the Ivy League Athletic Conference back in the 1950s, it would not have the "prestige" it has today- they say it has ridden on the "coattails" of the top Ivys such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton-and it shows since they are the lowest ranked Ivy in US News (take that for what you will). But many others say Cornell is a top university with excellent programs in everything and is respected. I tend to be in between these two states of mind-leaning more toward the former. I say LSE if you are sure you want to do something in the financial world-Cornell isn't as well known for that area here in the States. You mentioned your scholarships- is money an issue for your family?</p>
<p>LSE is a wonderful institution, and London, at least in my opinion, is the best city in the world. It does have the reputation of being tuition hungry, but that is mainly for its Masters programs.</p>
<p>That said, I think there's something to be said about having a more well-rounded undergraduate experience -- complete with athletic events, large parties, and all sorts of odd quirks and traditions on a traditional campus. If you go over to the Cornell discussion board, you will find a couple of us alums reminiscing about a lifetime of great memories we forged on East Hill. So I'm obviously biased.</p>
<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/cornell-university/496107-upenn-cornell-2.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/cornell-university/496107-upenn-cornell-2.html</a></p>
<p>The Presidential Research Scholarship is also quite an honor and an opportunity. Congratulations! I think that it would open up doors for you on Cornell's campus in terms of research that you wouldn't be able to get at LSE. I myself conducted research for an economics professor at Cornell for three years, and had my senior thesis published. Cornell is a great place for undergrads to do research, and the University really encourages it of all students, but as a Research Scholar you will have a lot more resources at your disposal. A friend of mine, who is currently a PhD in Economics at MIT and a Research Scholar at Cornell, was able to get funding to fly to Turkey to present to some academic conferences there as an undergraduate. </p>
<p>And if you are interested, I would definitely look into spending your junior year at LSE. A lot of students at Cornell do it, and it's a great program. I spent my junior year at Oxford. That way you would be able to establish connections on both sides of the Atlantic.</p>
<p>Also, it's been my experience that LSE is more cutthroat than Cornell. Cornell being cutthroat is just a big myth.</p>
<p>"It largely depends on where you want to get the job post graduation. If you want a job in UK, LSE is better. Job placement at US, then, Cornell will give you more opportunities."</p>
<p>I know. Either way is fine with me. =)</p>
<p>London is a world class financial center. You can transfer to NYC later after you've accumulated some experience. The weather in London is cold but much better than Cornell. London is an amazing city, so vibrant with many different ethnicities. Cornell is more rural. Do you like to play in the snow? If not London seems like a better choice.</p>
<p>"they are the lowest ranked Ivy in US News"</p>
<p>Cornell has been ranked higher than Brown; for several years.</p>
<p>"financial world-Cornell isn't as well known for that area here in the States. You mentioned your scholarships- is money an issue for your family?"</p>
<p>How?!? Cornell is one of the most well represented schools in the Wall Street firms, in consulting, ibanking, etc. It is a heavily recruited school and it is in the league with schools like Brown, Duke, NU, and many others in that respect. On the other hand, LSE isn't as represented in the Wall or other portions of the finance industries within U.S. Granted, LSE will offer you top notch theoretical education, but consider the fact that company recruiting, networking, and other job opportunities for LSE grads will be limited, compared to Cornell grads, if this person is willing to work in the U.S.</p>
<p>"You mentioned your scholarships- is money an issue for your family?"</p>
<p>No, money shouldn't be an issue as long as other things make a difference.</p>
<p>"I know. Either way is fine with me. =)"</p>
<p>You should carefully ponder on which country you would want to live in more. UK and US are very different, you know. Personally, I really didn't like UK that much, esp London. Actually, I hated that place and I would never go back there again. US is much more diverse, in regards to ethnicity, foods, jobs, schools, cities, weather, etc. Imo, living in the U.S. is a previledge and will suit the needs of many people better than UK.</p>
<p>"And if you are interested, I would definitely look into spending your junior year at LSE. A lot of students at Cornell do it, and it's a great program. I spent my junior year at Oxford. That way you would be able to establish connections on both sides of the Atlantic."
CayugaRed2005, I'm definitely interested in the study abroad program. Thanks!</p>
<p>patlees88, you're right. But I intend to do a further degree in the US, so I guess 3 or 4 years in the UK won't be that bad.</p>
<p>Actually London is very diversed. You have people from Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Africa, Asia, Middle Eastern. People come to London because of top notch education. The only problem is London is very expensive. One of the most expensive cities in the world. The cuisine is also very diversed too. I read recently on WSJ, some of the big name from Wall Street took a job in London to get the International exposure. So spend 4 years there before going to USA for an MBA is better. Chelsea Clinton went to Oxford and worked in London for a few years before she came back to US.</p>
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Actually London is very diversed. You have people from Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Africa, Asia, Middle Eastern. People come to London because of top notch education.
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</p>
<p>UK, as whole, isn't so diverse in regards to ethnicity. </p>
<p>UK demographics: </p>
<p>85.67% White British,
6.47% White Other,
4.00% South Asian, 2.00% Black, 1.20% Mixed Race, 0.80% East Asian and Other</p>
<p>As you see, it is about 90% white, and other races, especially the Asians (as I am assuming OP is an Asian student, since he's from Asia), are very scarce. Besides, if this means anything, I heard that there is a strong racial tension/discrimination present within UK and London, as well, in regards to the minority races. (compared to US, it is more extreme) </p>
<p>Besides, the food is really terrible there and there isn't a variety of foods available in the UK as it is the case in the US.</p>
<p>
[quote]
UK, as whole, isn't so diverse in regards to ethnicity.
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</p>
<p>You are talking about UK. I was talking about just London. London is almost like my second home. So I'm very familiar with London.</p>
<p>my cousin did a summer program at LSE over summer several yrs ago, and he said that the racial descrimination is off the charts compared to US. He's Asian, btw. He heard numerous racial slurs and other sorts of stuff while walking around the streets. The racial tolerance, unfortuantely, doesn't seem to be as good at London compared to major US cities such as Chicago, NYC, LA, etc. Also, I heard that there are many racial tensions and divisions among whites and muslims, esp, and whites don't usually get along with other races in most circumstances. There, clearly, is less tolerance for diversity at UK (London included) compared to US.</p>
<p>^I've heard that too, but personally I have never experienced it. Lots of white people are leaving London so I don't know if there are any white people left(It was in the news). The place is incredibly expensive.</p>
<p>HI ... i've interacted with dozens of Indians at LSE ... basically, for non UK and non EU, the job situation is quite bad ... because they'd rather recruit someone from within the EU and save lawyers money .. sounds sad but thats the truth .. LSE is anyday better than Cornell... but u need to take more risk ... short term cornell is better ... long term LSE kicks ass ..</p>