I know this forum has already had a large number of chances questions. Here's something to keep those inquisitive minds busy.

Not to go into the specifics, I have more than the minimum qualifications required to be admitted at London and Oxbridge. The college where I graduated is relatively new, though it is ranked around 15, though the degree-granting university is much better known and older and is recognised among the best in the country.

London universities have already handed me their verdict, and they have shown the urge in doing so. KCL gave an offer within 4 days of receiving the forms whereas LSE was curt in rejecting me in the 1st choice programme (MSC) within 14 days and in the 2nd choice programme (LLM) within 16 days.

A part of the problem at LSE might have been confounded by lack of a focused approach. Initially, I applied for LLM only. Then somehow, 2 days after the application was deemed complete, I changed the preferences and assigned them in the order described above. The Letters of Reference mentioned only LLM and no MSc. The choice of 4 programmes (for LLM) was one that would have received the largest number of applications.

I am now curious as to my prospects at Oxbridge. Somehow having failed to gain an offer at LSE, I am curious to know about my prospects at Oxbridge, although there has been no dramatic angle to the latters' application process.

Why did LSE decline your application? what was your GPA?

Good luck with oxbridge

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I think going by sheer numbers I should have been in. But lack of marketing skills (see my blog) did me in.

Still, I m waiting for the final word from LSE to know the exact reasons.

Hi jagsmehn, congratulatins on your KCL offer and best of luck for Oxbridge.

Can you please tell when how you received the reply from LSE. Was it by post, e-mail or on the online satus check? Also, when had you applied?

Thanks

My status on LSE was updated on 3rd January. I called them up today and the news was confirmed. I am yet to recieve the normal mail.

In 2007, 1,529 applied for a place in the LSE LLM Programme, from which 223 were offered admission. The LSE admission criteria takes into consideration the applicant's grades and class rank, letters of reference, the coherence of the applicant's proposed programme of study, and any significant professional accomplishments. It should be emphasised that the objectives of an applicant's proposed programme of study should be clearly outlined to them. Hence, the underlying difference between pursuing an LLM as opposed to an MSc should be stated.

It would seem that with over 1,500 applicants for just over 200 places in the LLM class, most, if not all, the applicants have a first class honours degree. In 2007, the admission rate was approximately 14.58%. The admission rate at the LSE hovers from between 7% to 15% in highly popular programmes in economics and law.

It should be noted that one competes with the rest of the world (applicants from over 100 countries) for a place in the 220 or so seats in the LLM Programme of the London School of Economics. This means that many more well-qualified postgraduate students who meet the minimum requirements for admission are turned away because the School can only accommodate 220 students per LLM class.

Hi jagsmehn, sorry- one more question! When did you apply to LSE? When did you get the "application complete" e-mail from LSE?

Sorry to hear about the result from the London School of Economics. Still, congratulations are in order for your acceptance at King's College. At the very least, the choice is clear pending the arrival of the other decision letters.

In 2007, 1,529 applied for a place in the LSE LLM Programme, from which 223 were offered admission. The LSE admission criteria takes into consideration the applicant's grades and class rank, letters of reference, the coherence of the applicant's proposed programme of study, and any significant professional accomplishments. It should be emphasised that the objectives of an applicant's proposed programme of study should be clearly outlined to them. Hence, the underlying difference between pursuing an LLM as opposed to an MSc should be stated.

It would seem that with over 1,500 applicants for just over 200 places in the LLM class, it would seem that most, if not all, the applicants have a first class honours degree. In 2007, the admission rate was approximately 14.58%. The admission rate at the LSE hovers from between 7% to 15% in highly popular programmes in economics and law.

It should be noted that one competes with the rest of the world (applicants from over 100 countries) for a place in the 220 or so seats in the LLM Programme of the London School of Economics. This means that many more qualified postgraduate students who meet the minimum requirements for admission are turned away because the School can only accommodate 220 students per LLM class.

Hi jagsmehn, sorry- one more question! When did you apply to LSE? When did you get the "application complete" e-mail from LSE?

Just to add something to the points made above, after speaking to a friend of mine on the lecturing staff at Cam I was told that they basically bin all applicants for the LL.M without a first or foreign equivalent or anything else they 'disapprove' of (stripping the applicant pile down from the 1500 figure to about 500) and then go about making offers to those most suitable. However, as I imagine is the case with Oxford and the LSE (and has been mentioned above), within this pile there may well be about 350 or 400 who are suited to the course and that they would be happy to admit if only they had the room. Instead, they offer around 200 people places and unfortunately, an equal number will be disappointed when they deserved a place just as much. Moral of the story; have a good alternative that you are happy with and be prepared! Good luck! Btw, which colleges did you go for?!

Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw, sort of like winning the lotto. At the end of the day, all a person needs is just one acceptance letter to get to the next level.

Agreed to the luck factor, back-up plan (which is now fortified in the form of KCL) and lotto. But the moral of the story for others this year and for future reference: There's no excuse for making such a mockery of the entire process by taking crucial decisions at the last minute. Take whatever decision that you want to and then dont let the bouts of wind alter your choice. (I think the latter is the bottomline when everything else is equal).

Just to add something to the points made above, after speaking to a friend of mine on the lecturing staff at Cam I was told that they basically bin all applicants for the LL.M without a first or foreign equivalent or anything else they 'disapprove' of (stripping the applicant pile down from the 1500 figure to about 500) and then go about making offers to those most suitable. However, as I imagine is the case with Oxford and the LSE (and has been mentioned above), within this pile there may well be about 350 or 400 who are suited to the course and that they would be happy to admit if only they had the room. Instead, they offer around 200 people places and unfortunately, an equal number will be disappointed when they deserved a place just as much. Moral of the story; have a good alternative that you are happy with and be prepared! Good luck! Btw, which colleges did you go for?!

Just to add something to the points made above, after speaking to a friend of mine on the lecturing staff at Cam I was told that they basically bin all applicants for the LL.M without a first or foreign equivalent or anything else they 'disapprove' of (stripping the applicant pile down from the 1500 figure to about 500) and then go about making offers to those most suitable. However, as I imagine is the case with Oxford and the LSE (and has been mentioned above), within this pile there may well be about 350 or 400 who are suited to the course and that they would be happy to admit if only they had the room. Instead, they offer around 200 people places and unfortunately, an equal number will be disappointed when they deserved a place just as much. Moral of the story; have a good alternative that you are happy with and be prepared! Good luck! Btw, which colleges did you go for?!

Does anyone know of any instance where a candidate having low academic grades like real low second (but with good work experirence and excellent recommendations from excellent referees- best academics in the country) having got admission in LSE or (if I may dare to ask) Oxbridge?

Does anyone know of any instance where a candidate having low academic grades like real low second (but with good work experirence and excellent recommendations from excellent referees- best academics in the country) having got admission in LSE or (if I may dare to ask) Oxbridge?

Guys, the LSE admissions office has got back to me in reply to the feedback form I had filled.

They say lack of a focused Personal Statement and excellent references did me in. Plus I lacked professional experience.

As far Personal Statement is concerned, I have already mentioned the dichotomy between MSc and LLM, which could have been avoided by a separate one for the two programmes.

LSE has a specific set of remarks that a Reference must contain. No other university sets such a stringent benchmark for references. I think my referrees might have overlooked certain requirements.

Professional Experience requirement makes it look as if I applied to Stanford or Harvard (they probable don't make any exception to this requirement, especially, the former) and not LSE.

Hi jagsmehn, thanks for the info. The problem is I have a low 2:2. I did my LLB from a traditional Indian university where only 1 or 2 out of the entire batch gets 60% aggregate. I guess my chances are real bleak. what say?

I would unfortunately believe they are bleak. However, you might work for a few years (I believe you have already done so) and build up a great CV, I mean have some great cases (if you are practising) or deals (if you are in a firm) under your belt. May be a couple of articles in your concerned field of work on topics of current concern in SCC/AIR or may be even ILI's journal (though they have a long waiting time).

You might also consider attending a few seminars of national and international repute in your area of concern (there are many conducted by Manupatra, and Jurists' Associations). It is all a question of showing them your focus and motivation (something I couldn't do in case of LSE). London Colleges should be manageable for you. Of course, Oxbridge is out of question (nothing personal but its a hard fact).
But coherent planning and expert implementation may open doors to LSE, though in my opinion there is no difference among LSE, KCL, UCL. They all have their specialities and cater well to a given audience. As for me, I have no qualms in being rejected by LSE, because my subjects are equally well taught at KCL (or may be a notch better).
All in all, you have a future and you can mould it the way you desire to.

Just to add something to the points made above, after speaking to a friend of mine on the lecturing staff at Cam I was told that they basically bin all applicants for the LL.M without a first or foreign equivalent or anything else they 'disapprove' of (stripping the applicant pile down from the 1500 figure to about 500) and then go about making offers to those most suitable. However, as I imagine is the case with Oxford and the LSE (and has been mentioned above), within this pile there may well be about 350 or 400 who are suited to the course and that they would be happy to admit if only they had the room.