London School of Economics & Political Science Snapshot

Written by Evan Reeves

Evan Reeves

Hometown

New York City

Major

English and Economics

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The LSE is a very hard school, and any student's experience will be largely defined by this fact. The two aspects of the LSE experience that make it so difficult are: the high level of academics and the lack of support from the school itself. In other words, not only are the classes extremely hard to begin with, but also any academic help has to be sought out on the part of the student. A student who has no problem actively seeking help and who is self-disciplined in completing course work will do very well at LSE. However, a student who needs to be motivated in order to succeed will not find that motivation from anyone in the teaching staff. Class teachers, and lecturers in particular, could not care less if you flunk all of your classes. Even though in many ways the LSE is a harsh place for many students, it is a fantastic preparation for the real world, where no one will hold your hand. The potential for students to do well at LSE has to be achieved on one's own, but that potential is essentially endless.

There are so many student clubs that, with a little effort and dedication, you can move up the ranks and hold an officer's position. In fact, being part of these clubs is the most direct way in which students can find a job after college. If you hold a position in one of the clubs—say the LSE SU Finance Society—then you are in a position to make direct connections with high-level employees of major banks. These connections can often directly lead to a job after college. The LSE is not a place where students can prolong their adolescence; it is a place where students have to grow up fast and get ready for the real world. The most successful students, who have the best experience at the LSE, are those who approach their time there as a step up the ladder toward success.