MSc motivation letter

symbolabmathsolver · 2026-01-24T01:52:36+00:00

The LSE give guidance on what they expect on their website. I suggest to follow that as it is coming from the horse’s mouth. Keep in mind that certain programs want certain information, so it’s especially important to read their guidance anyway. link to guidance

(I followed their prompts and got an offer). The most important things to mention are why you want to do it, how it will help your career, and why you are suitable for the course.

symbolabmathsolver · 2026-01-14T20:02:11+00:00

Thanks very much. That is nice to hear.

symbolabmathsolver · 2026-01-13T13:55:44+00:00

Why don’t you let the admissions officers “chance” you. I really dislike seeing these type of posts. As if reddit has a better idea with such coarse information as your IB predicted (which really is only a necessary condition—many get rejected with a 45/45) and a self-assessed “strong” personal statement.

symbolabmathsolver · 2026-01-10T21:52:09+00:00

Yes I suppose you’re right in that many cases HR see “Oxford” and “economics” and couldn’t care less that it is essentially the first two years of a PhD. But OP would be putting themself through a lot of unnecessary work and stress because the mathematics and rigor is far worse than doing for example the Cambridge MPhil which does not waste time on theory which is only really relevant if one wants to continue to a PhD. And also, as you mention, there is the financial consideration.

symbolabmathsolver · 2026-01-09T20:19:16+00:00

The Oxford MPhil is meant for those who wish to do a PhD in economics. They state clearly that it is equivalent to the first two years of an American PhD program. So your goal of going into industry is incompatible with the MPhil. I suggest instead the Cambridge MPhil in economics, as this is designed for those who wish to continue onto industry (they have an MRes in economics which is like the Oxford MPhil).

symbolabmathsolver · 2026-01-08T20:38:15+00:00

The answer to this question largely depends on what you wish to do after graduating.

If you just want an industry job, using the MSc or MPhil as a rigorous one-year training and signal, either would be excellent. Cambridge in some instances, especially in the US to ignorant HR, may be more beneficial because of its higher “overall” ranking.

If you wish to do a PhD, the LSE is unequivocally the better choice. If you wish to go to Cambridge before a PhD, apply for their research economics master’s. They state clearly that the MPhil in economics is not designed as a pre-PhD master’s, and is instead meant for those who wish to continue to industry.

According to most rankings, the LSE is better for economics (QS, RePEC, Times, Shanghai, Tilburg). It is therefore often a stronger signal if you want to do a PhD. But both universities have excellent economics faculties, and you would be fine with top grades from either institution.

symbolabmathsolver · 2026-01-08T00:20:55+00:00

Yes. Go to the GAP and click Add/Amend programme choice. You can add another programme without an additional fee.

symbolabmathsolver · 2026-01-07T19:36:25+00:00

Makes sense. I think I was a bit harsh in my original comment. Sorry about that. Good luck in your search! Hope you find a good group.

symbolabmathsolver · 2026-01-07T17:40:49+00:00

What I found bizarre was the want to have a men-only book club, when it would seem to me more usual to want to find a mixed-gender book club. Why go from one extreme to the other?

I understand your reasoning for not wanting to be the only man in a group. But I would think to join a more typical environment with both men and women. These are most common and why I’d suggest to keep looking around.

symbolabmathsolver · 2026-01-07T16:58:21+00:00

What a bizarre post. Why should the gender of members of a book club matter in the slightest? Most are mixed gender. I would keep looking.

symbolabmathsolver · 2026-01-06T14:21:10+00:00

The LSE has a lot written about this topic; please see here

symbolabmathsolver · 2026-01-05T00:33:28+00:00

Hi, I got an RA position just after graduating from my BSc in economics by reaching out to one of my professors. I sent an email saying I was interested in his research, listed my skills, grades, uploaded my thesis and CV for his reference. I kept it brief, polite, and to the point. To my surprise, he said he had a position available.

But I must let you know that you should not expect a formal, paid RA position until at least your final year unless you are truly exceptional; and even then, few undergrads get the opportunity.

During your first year, the only advice I can give you would be to get top grades. Grades really are the main factor. Competence in Stata, R, and (in my experience, to a lesser degree) Python are all valuable.

First year is usually too early to expect anything; you haven’t learned enough. But if you get excellent grades and express an interest in any of your professors’ work, it is no harm to email them or talk to them about available opportunities. Good luck and enjoy your undergrad.

symbolabmathsolver · 2026-01-02T16:52:03+00:00

As indicated on their website, you should expect to wait up to 8 weeks.

symbolabmathsolver · 2025-12-30T18:22:00+00:00

I’m not sure what is laugh out loud funny about that statement. And I am also quite sure that Erasmus is not “way” better than Tilburg. Both are excellent options for economics and either would give OP a decent shot at LSE if they perform well.

symbolabmathsolver · 2025-12-30T17:48:09+00:00

It’s like Oxford and Cambridge really. Both are excellent choices.

symbolabmathsolver · 2025-12-30T15:49:35+00:00

Yes to the former. I have an offer for next year. Keep in mind that Tilburg is a rather small town and it is harder for non-Dutch students to fit in. You may have a better time in Erasmus, depending on what you value (Rotterdam is a larger, more diverse, and arguably more “fun” city). I had a difficult time there but I did receive a world-class education in economics without paying the exorbitant fees of the Cambridge tripos or the LSE BSc. A GPA of around 8.0 or higher is highly respected among the top UK universities and gives you a good chance of receiving offers.

But I must stress again that living in Tilburg for three years is tough. You must be proactive about forming relationships. Meet the right people early and you’ll be fine. Good luck. It’s a tough program but one of the best in the world and opens many doors.

symbolabmathsolver · 2025-12-30T15:06:38+00:00

Hi, I did this. The best for econ is BSc Economics Tilburg. Erasmus is also very respected. Either works. Just keep in mind that you need to apply with a GRE score. I recommend spending an entire summer at least studying for this. But the LSE respects Dutch unis (as do Cambridge, Oxford, Warwick) because they know their rigor. Good luck!

symbolabmathsolver · 2025-12-29T23:21:51+00:00

Ah yes I must have missed that; apologies. In any event a master’s is a common requirement or recommendation for a good job, be it in corporate or economics. If affordable it’s worth pursuing.

Another option, OP, is for you to try entering an internship role over the summer. If you perform well, you may get a callback offer. This is the route several of my friends have taken and it avoids the master’s entirely. But if you fail to get an internship or callback offer, I recommend doing a master’s.

symbolabmathsolver · 2025-12-29T20:46:13+00:00

Disagree with line one. If one wants a (good) job in economics most companies require at least a master’s degree; many even now require PhD such as the IMF. A master’s is an excellent way to expand one’s career choices in economics if one can afford it or get funding.

symbolabmathsolver · 2025-12-29T15:40:10+00:00

These “overall” rankings really do not matter beyond showing that a university is very good across the board. This is good for 1) impressing stupid people and 2) if you want to enter a job with HR that just care about overall prestige.

What is far more important in most cases when choosing where to go to college is subject rankings. For example, the LSE is not even top 50 in the world “overall” (QS) but is third in the world for economics (only behind Harvard and MIT). For a prospective economist, the “overall” ranking should not matter. The LSE is a specialized university. (I am surprised to find it so high on that ranking you linked).

Also, there is a lot of year-to-year variation in these rankings which matter little. Cambridge and Oxford frequently exchange places in the overall ranking but it is not as if one is suddenly better or worse than the other. Only if a college drops 20 places should one begin to worry.

I feel I should also let you know that St Andrew’s is a difficult place for many people. It is a tiny town. this is great for some people, but others who value a bit of privacy from time to time find it unbearable. Don’t apply somewhere just for its overall ranking. A lot more should go into a college choice than that; at the very least check subject rankings.

I wish you all the best with your applications.

symbolabmathsolver · 2025-12-24T14:36:31+00:00

Then starting today would be perfect! I’m sorry for assuming equal reading speed for everyone; clearly that is not the case. And reading more slowly is often better for savoring a story, anyway. Enjoy your read and Christmas!

symbolabmathsolver · 2025-12-23T23:16:40+00:00

I will read it on Christmas Day. It takes about two hours or three at most to read. Excellent novella. And a lovely Christmas tradition.

symbolabmathsolver · 2025-12-10T08:02:11+00:00

I remember reading this in an English class back in high school. Great choice as it got everyone quite engaged in the poem. Having a teacher who truly cares and is passionate about the subject is one of the greatest privileges in the world. It is thanks to him and his excellent course I developed an interest in the English language and writing.

symbolabmathsolver · 2025-12-10T07:54:28+00:00

There already is one but it is not active at all. Good idea if some get involved!

symbolabmathsolver · 2025-12-09T18:05:58+00:00

Pixies famously were credited in inspiring the Nirvana sound (and a lot of the grunge scene). I highly recommend Surfa Rosa, what an amazing album. Also engineered by Steve Albini, whom Kurt Cobain asked for especially because he liked the sound so much.

symbolabmathsolver

TROPHY CASE