从国外论坛转的帖子,求中国的朋友们评估。
Hi, guys!
I’ve been a lurker inthe forum for quite a long time and have found a lot of useful information!Thank you all! However,it seems that not many people are talking about the 2 years version of LSE’sMSc Economics. I’ve applied to the MSc Econ program (2 year) at LSE, so Idesperately want someone to evaluate my chance of admission to the program inthe context of my unconventional academic background. Any input is greatlyappreciated.
Here is my profile.
Type of Undergrad:double degree, Bachelor of Arts in Business English and Bachelor of Economicsin Finance (I know this sounds weird, but this is what we call a finance majorin our country)
Type of School: A decentspecialized university in my own country (not top in overall ranking, but stillrespected in the field of economics and business studies. Moreover, it shouldbe known to the selectors at LSE since several students from my school wereadmitted by them every year)
Undergrad GPA: 3.92/4.00or 92% (rank: 1/160)
Type of Grad: n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: Q:170 (98%) V:170(99%) AW: 4.0 (54%)
Below comes the mostatypical part of my background.
Due to my double degree,I took a lot of English courses, and, as a result, less economics and financecourses than a typical finance major would take. I list all (yes, that's all)the math, economics, and finance courses I have taken below.
Math Courses: Advancedmathematics I (95%. 90+ is A and 85+ is A- in my university), Advancedmathematics II (99%), Probability and statistics (97%), Linear algebra (97%),Applied statistics (95%)
Econ & Fin Courses:Microeconomics (92%), Macroeconomics (85%), Principles of Economics (97%),Introduction to money and banking (90%), Introduction to Financial Accounting(96%), Public Finance (92%), International Finance (89%), International trade(97%), International Economics (94%), International Risk and Insurance (90%),Corporate Finance (98%), Bank Management (97%), International Political Economyin Asian Pacific (95%), Studies in Latin American Economy (92%)
Courses Currently Taken:Econometrics, Investments, Financial Derivatives
Letters ofRecommendation: one from the dean of my school who is not in the field ofeconomics but who can attest to my academic abilities and extracurricularactivities, another from an associate professor of international trade whoknows me well
Research Experience: RAfor one semester, one senior thesis for BEcon in Finance (both are related tocorporate finance and governance), and one senior thesis for BA in BusinessEnglish
Teaching Experience:peer microeconomics tutor, volunteer community English teacher
research Interests:financial markets, with special attention to corporate finance and governance
SOP: decent but nothingspectacular
Applying to: LSE MSc (2 year), Cambridge diploma, Duke, Boston, McGill, UT-Austin ( I do notcare about locations since I am an international)
As I did nottake intermediate economics, I choose the 2-year route of the MSc program. Iapply to MSc Economics (rather than Finance & Economics) because I amresearch-oriented and this program gives me a very solid foundation in economictheory and econometrics which will be beneficial for my further study (PhD inEconomics very probably)
My Concerns:
1) Lack of advancedmathematics courses: my mathematical background just meets the minimum entryrequirement
2) Letter of recommendation:both of my referees are absolutely unknown to selectors at LSE
3) Low AW score in GRE:I got 4, but LSE’s website says they expect an AW score above 5.0. Moreover, myGRE scores appear to be unbalanced.
4) Quantatitive ability: LSE's website says explicitly that they want students from quantitativesubjects. Since a huge part of my undergraduate study focuses on language, I donot know whether my undergraduate study is quantitative enough for the MSc.
Questions:
1) Will myunconventional academic background hurt my chance of admission? Are my econ andmath courses enough preparation for the 2-year MSc program?
2) Will LSE be morelenient on my GRE AW score because I am an international? Are they serious thatthey expect a score of over 5.0 in AW?
3) Any suggestion onother programs I could apply to?
Sorry for the long post.I am desperate to know my chance.
Thank you very much in advance!
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