Applying to the London School of Economics
Applying to LSE as an undergraduate student?
In the midst of planning that crucial Personal Statement and getting those A Levels/IB grades, it is perhaps easy to only think about rankings and the exciting notion of telling someone you will attend the prestigious 'XYZ' university in the fall. However, having been at the LSE for two years, I can confidently affirm to the fact that so much more needs to be considered when choosing a university that will be the right fit for you.
Beyond just the grades, what needs to take precedence are your interests, hobbies, personality and above all, the right environment for you realise your ambitions and personal growth. Simply looking at one's employment prospects and chosen subject is not enough to encapsulate what you will encounter at your time at university or even before (referring to those gruelling visa processes and accommodation dilemmas). Hence, this blog will give you an idea as to why it is worthwhile to come to the LSE and what needs to be done prior to doing so.
Why come to the LSE at all?
Well for one, it enjoys a high ranking for being 2nd in the world for social sciences (QS World ranking 2019). But coming to LSE is so much more than that because truthfully speaking, no one ever talks about the ranking itself on campus here. What LSE students do look forward to instead is their employment prospects, in which LSE has one of the highest employability rates in the UK. Coming to LSE more or less ensures that you will be networking with and having loads of information about your desired future employer well before you start applying for jobs (or even internships). With the wide array of services offered by LSE Careers, from 1-on-1 CV workshops, interview practice and intimate networking sessions with reputable employers, it is easy to find the assistance you need to navigate through this strenuous process.
But more than that, what makes LSE's job-hunting culture different from other universities is how every single student is geared towards it. This is particularly helpful if one is confused (or even lazy) about post-graduation prospects and how to get the right help. Chances are extremely high that rather than booking that LSE Careers appointment, one conversation with your classmates will give you more information than you anticipated. At the LSE, there will never be a shortage of people who have filled out that application or are currently in the process of doing so..
But beyond just career opportunities, LSE extracurriculars have so much to offer. Personally, I really appreciate the athletics union. Even though I quit boxing after the first year, the fact that I felt comfortable in trying a new sport and being committed to it for a whole year speaks volumes of the kind of support you receive as a member of a society. There are over 200 societies and I cannot stress enough the importance of being a member of these as they are fundamental to the process of making friends and seizing some amazing opportunities. My time as Secretary of LSESU Women Leaders of Tomorrow (the largest women's network on campus) is not only a defining aspect of my time at the LSE, but it also got me the opportunities to network and learn so much from the corporate mentors who supported us throughout the year. Moreover, if you have an innovative idea to start a new society, please do so as the Students Union is incredibly encouraging of this! Speaking of which, the LSESU building is probably where you will spend most of your time while on campus. Most society events and casual launch plans take place here and it only gets better since it hosts LSE's weekly student club night in its basement - a feat other university students often envy.
When you talk about the classes and the academic support offered, LSE provides the best you can get as long as you are willing to try them. Classes are small and intellectually stimulating, whereas lecture sizes differ depending on the course. But above all, it is the weekly office hours offered by every teacher where the difference between that 2.1 and 1st lies. Here you can go and discuss any issue regarding an essay or other problems you are facing in the course and are bound to receive help. It is not uncommon for people to book office hour sessions every week if they want that slight edge in their coursework and the teachers are more than willing help them do so. Yet, like every university, this will be only possible if you are willing to make that extra effort to book these sessions and make the most of them.
Reaching the LSE
1. Grades and Personal Statement:
Due to the competitive nature of the university, LSE does have a grade threshold, along with the Personal Statement, according to which they send out offers. Since I have not done the IB system or another educational qualification, I will only speak about their minimum requirements and expectations in regard to the A-Levels.
Usually, 3A's at AS Level are the ideal grades to have a fair chance at getting an LSE offer, since it is rare for LSE to give any offer below 3A's (also the offer I received). However, some departments do make the individual case by case exception and pitch a 2As offer, usually because of one having a set of extenuating circumstances. If LSE gives you a subject condition (i.e you have to get an A* or A in a certain subject), please be very mindful to put extra effort in achieving that since LSE gives no guarantee of confirming your admission if this part of the offer is missed.
I will only briefly discuss the personal statement here, but its importance cannot be underestimated. It is essentially the most crucial aspect of your entire application and if you feel your grades are somehow not doing justice to you as an applicant, the PS is your chance to make up for that. I ensured that my personal statement had the perfect blend to project my interest in history, through detailed references of various historical eras and linking that to political analyses of Noam Chomsky and Immanuel Kant. Hence, doing that extra research and reading to prove your interest in your field and why you will excel in it is going to make you LSE's ideal applicant.
Lastly, while some universities might require the IELTS, if you have a B or above in GCSE English Language then LSE waives the IELTS altogether. However, it is worth emailing the university if you’re uncertain.
2. Visa:
Once you have your place confirmed, the visa remains a fairly challenging task before you can hop onto your flight to London. While I can only speak for UK Tier 4 visa application from Pakistan, the procedure is mostly the same everywhere. Once the university issues you the CAS (the official certificate that ensures your place at the LSE), you are set to begin the process.
Firstly, please make sure to have your bank statements in order well before you begin the process. If you are being externally funded or going on a scholarship, please have all documents on hand to make your finances as clear as possible to the authorities. There have been too many unfortunate visa rejections due to unclear documents causing doubt on your ability to pay for university.
All other required documents (listed on UK Tier 4 visa website) should also be carefully organised. The process itself is quite simple for the student visa as it only requires submission of the required documents and a small Skype interview lasting about 2-3 minutes. The interview is very brief and simple, serving the authorities purpose to verify if you can speak English and are aware of what university you are going to and a few details about it. The entire process lasts about a couple of hours and you are likely to hear back within 2-3 weeks.
3. Where to live:
The LSE is at the heart of vibrant London, next to Covent Garden and 15 mins from Oxford Street. However, unlike other universities, LSE does not have a campus area and has its residence halls spread all over London. The nearest one in High Holborn, where I resided in my first year, is just a 5 mins walk from LSE. Other halls are also close to LSE usually by bus and underground tube, all within a 30 minutes commute. When considering which hall to choose, apart from keeping your budget in mind, it is also important to consider what kind of environment you would prefer to live in. A lot of people do not wish to live so close to a busy and noisy area like Covent Garden/Soho and would much rather prefer a quieter area like Angel. These things are important as they do impact your comfort level and how you feel about your accommodations. There's a list of halls posted on LSE Residences website which also includes some intercollegiate halls that you can have a look at.
Lastly, whilst I would not advise opting for renting an apartment in the first year due to a multitude of reasons, having your private apartment is also a great option in the 2nd/3rd year. It is not only a lot cheaper, but you also definitely get more space to yourself. In my 2nd year, I got an apartment in Waterloo, just 20 mins from LSE, and I could not have been more grateful for the experience of living on my own and definitely did not lose out on the socialising!
Overall, despite the stressful process, studying at LSE and my experience here so far has been exceptionally rewarding and enjoyable. I promise it will be for you as well!
If you have any questions about this piece or are looking for help with your application, email us at: support@doxa.co.uk
BSc Government & History
I think it’s important that applicants account for their passions and enthusiasm when choosing courses/schools and I want to help students make similarly informed decisions and guide them through this daunting process.
