Cambridge application 2018/2019


tsangc4

Hey Y'all

I need your opinions. So for my back up plan in the UK, I also applied to UCL and LSE. It is more likely that I might be going to one of these unless Cambridge decides to change their mind and offer all 3 of my desired modules or I get accepted to the US universities with a scholarship. I was wondering if you could give me your opinion on which university in london is more prestigious abroad, UCL or LSE? I would appreciate anyone's contributions and reasoning for their answer.

I don't think it would be worth it paying £15k + 12k living expenses just to study one of my desired modules and 3 other modules I am barely interested in. It would be stupid to invest in the LLM only just for the university's title, its bad enough we can only study 4 modules compared to 6-8 plus a dissertation at other universities?


Two points:

1. I would recommend waiting to see what replacement subjects Cambridge rolls out before declining the offer. Some of them might be similar enough to your desired subjects.

2. I think LSE has a better reputation than UCL abroad, especially in Asian countries (I'm from HK)

[Edited by tsangc4 on Feb 15, 2018]

[quote]Hey Y'all

I need your opinions. So for my back up plan in the UK, I also applied to UCL and LSE. It is more likely that I might be going to one of these unless Cambridge decides to change their mind and offer all 3 of my desired modules or I get accepted to the US universities with a scholarship. I was wondering if you could give me your opinion on which university in london is more prestigious abroad, UCL or LSE? I would appreciate anyone's contributions and reasoning for their answer.

I don't think it would be worth it paying £15k + 12k living expenses just to study one of my desired modules and 3 other modules I am barely interested in. It would be stupid to invest in the LLM only just for the university's title, its bad enough we can only study 4 modules compared to 6-8 plus a dissertation at other universities?[/quote]

Two points:

1. I would recommend waiting to see what replacement subjects Cambridge rolls out before declining the offer. Some of them might be similar enough to your desired subjects.

2. I think LSE has a better reputation than UCL abroad, especially in Asian countries (I'm from HK)
quote
LLM2238

Hey Y'all

I need your opinions. So for my back up plan in the UK, I also applied to UCL and LSE. It is more likely that I might be going to one of these unless Cambridge decides to change their mind and offer all 3 of my desired modules or I get accepted to the US universities with a scholarship. I was wondering if you could give me your opinion on which university in london is more prestigious abroad, UCL or LSE? I would appreciate anyone's contributions and reasoning for their answer.

I don't think it would be worth it paying £15k + 12k living expenses just to study one of my desired modules and 3 other modules I am barely interested in. It would be stupid to invest in the LLM only just for the university's title, its bad enough we can only study 4 modules compared to 6-8 plus a dissertation at other universities?


From my experience and research I'd certainly say the LSE has the better reputation (it was my second choice after Cambridge), plus it has a big bursary/scholarship fund as far as I'm aware. I also have a colleague who recently did the LLM at the LSE and she really liked it.

Personally I think it depends what you want: I've been told by various barristers and solicitors at top firms and chambers that by simply having the name 'Cambridge' on your CV will make life, and I quote, "a whole lot easier". And if you want to practice at a top firm or chambers, or go into academia at a top level, then I certainly think having the name alone will help. That said, if you have Oxford/Harvard/Yale on your CV instead I'm sure that would work in the same way.

I'm also really surprised competition and commercial litigation may not be running. I'm surprised I even got an offer to be honest given my whole application was pretty much based on the premise I'd choose both of these modules! I'd be curious to know why they aren't planning to run them, given I think there would be a big uptake on both modules.

[Edited by LLM2238 on Feb 15, 2018]

[quote]Hey Y'all

I need your opinions. So for my back up plan in the UK, I also applied to UCL and LSE. It is more likely that I might be going to one of these unless Cambridge decides to change their mind and offer all 3 of my desired modules or I get accepted to the US universities with a scholarship. I was wondering if you could give me your opinion on which university in london is more prestigious abroad, UCL or LSE? I would appreciate anyone's contributions and reasoning for their answer.

I don't think it would be worth it paying £15k + 12k living expenses just to study one of my desired modules and 3 other modules I am barely interested in. It would be stupid to invest in the LLM only just for the university's title, its bad enough we can only study 4 modules compared to 6-8 plus a dissertation at other universities?[/quote]

From my experience and research I'd certainly say the LSE has the better reputation (it was my second choice after Cambridge), plus it has a big bursary/scholarship fund as far as I'm aware. I also have a colleague who recently did the LLM at the LSE and she really liked it.

Personally I think it depends what you want: I've been told by various barristers and solicitors at top firms and chambers that by simply having the name 'Cambridge' on your CV will make life, and I quote, "a whole lot easier". And if you want to practice at a top firm or chambers, or go into academia at a top level, then I certainly think having the name alone will help. That said, if you have Oxford/Harvard/Yale on your CV instead I'm sure that would work in the same way.

I'm also really surprised competition and commercial litigation may not be running. I'm surprised I even got an offer to be honest given my whole application was pretty much based on the premise I'd choose both of these modules! I'd be curious to know why they aren't planning to run them, given I think there would be a big uptake on both modules.
quote
Phoenix

Thank you LLM2238 and tsangc4. I was leaning heavily on UCL's international reputation and top 10 ranking. Does anyone from The States know what the attitude towards these 2 are (LSE v UCL)? I am planning on moving back and I whether these universities are at the same league as Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Caltech and etc? Is it easier securing training contracts with an LLM from UCL or LSE?

Also, I kinda fed Cambridge the idea that I was passionate about finance, what I really wanted to study was corporate governance, international commercial litigation, competition law and IP. Hmm

Thank you LLM2238 and tsangc4. I was leaning heavily on UCL's international reputation and top 10 ranking. Does anyone from The States know what the attitude towards these 2 are (LSE v UCL)? I am planning on moving back and I whether these universities are at the same league as Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Caltech and etc? Is it easier securing training contracts with an LLM from UCL or LSE?

Also, I kinda fed Cambridge the idea that I was passionate about finance, what I really wanted to study was corporate governance, international commercial litigation, competition law and IP. Hmm
quote
tsangc4

Thank you LLM2238 and tsangc4. I was leaning heavily on UCL's international reputation and top 10 ranking. Does anyone from The States know what the attitude towards these 2 are (LSE v UCL)? I am planning on moving back and I whether these universities are at the same league as Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Caltech and etc? Is it easier securing training contracts with an LLM from UCL or LSE?

Also, I kinda fed Cambridge the idea that I was passionate about finance, what I really wanted to study was corporate governance, international commercial litigation, competition law and IP. Hmm


Hm. I would think LSE might stack up with some of the lower level ivy-leagues, but not with schools like Princeton and Yale. Cambridge would, though.

[quote]Thank you LLM2238 and tsangc4. I was leaning heavily on UCL's international reputation and top 10 ranking. Does anyone from The States know what the attitude towards these 2 are (LSE v UCL)? I am planning on moving back and I whether these universities are at the same league as Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Caltech and etc? Is it easier securing training contracts with an LLM from UCL or LSE?

Also, I kinda fed Cambridge the idea that I was passionate about finance, what I really wanted to study was corporate governance, international commercial litigation, competition law and IP. Hmm [/quote]

Hm. I would think LSE might stack up with some of the lower level ivy-leagues, but not with schools like Princeton and Yale. Cambridge would, though.
quote
Ribben

Thank you LLM2238 and tsangc4. I was leaning heavily on UCL's international reputation and top 10 ranking. Does anyone from The States know what the attitude towards these 2 are (LSE v UCL)? I am planning on moving back and I whether these universities are at the same league as Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Caltech and etc? Is it easier securing training contracts with an LLM from UCL or LSE?


I don't think they are. Don't get me wrong, LSE and UCL are both excellent universities, but when it comes to brand recognition they play in a different league entirely than Cambridge and Oxford. Cambridge and Oxford are truly global brands that even people who have never been to university recognize and are aware of that they are part of the best universities in the world. Personally I would be surprised to find out if my American friends can differentiate well enough between all the different universities in London, unless they actually did the research themselves.

[quote]Thank you LLM2238 and tsangc4. I was leaning heavily on UCL's international reputation and top 10 ranking. Does anyone from The States know what the attitude towards these 2 are (LSE v UCL)? I am planning on moving back and I whether these universities are at the same league as Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Caltech and etc? Is it easier securing training contracts with an LLM from UCL or LSE? [/quote]

I don't think they are. Don't get me wrong, LSE and UCL are both excellent universities, but when it comes to brand recognition they play in a different league entirely than Cambridge and Oxford. Cambridge and Oxford are truly global brands that even people who have never been to university recognize and are aware of that they are part of the best universities in the world. Personally I would be surprised to find out if my American friends can differentiate well enough between all the different universities in London, unless they actually did the research themselves.
quote

Hi guys, anyone else who got their email indication of acceptance around 5 Feb but still has their status as "under review by department" on the portal and hasn't had further communication from the GAO yet?

Hi guys, anyone else who got their email indication of acceptance around 5 Feb but still has their status as "under review by department" on the portal and hasn't had further communication from the GAO yet?
quote
Ribben

Hi guys, anyone else who got their email indication of acceptance around 5 Feb but still has their status as "under review by department" on the portal and hasn't had further communication from the GAO yet?


Yeah, me too. But if you look at the top of the page it says "Due to a system upgrade, application numbers, USNs and status updates for submitted applications will not be reflected in the Applicant Portal until Tuesday 20th February. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause". So just wait a bit more

[quote]Hi guys, anyone else who got their email indication of acceptance around 5 Feb but still has their status as "under review by department" on the portal and hasn't had further communication from the GAO yet?[/quote]

Yeah, me too. But if you look at the top of the page it says "Due to a system upgrade, application numbers, USNs and status updates for submitted applications will not be reflected in the Applicant Portal until Tuesday 20th February. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause". So just wait a bit more
quote

Hi guys, anyone else who got their email indication of acceptance around 5 Feb but still has their status as "under review by department" on the portal and hasn't had further communication from the GAO yet?


Check your junk mail. I got the e-mail from Suzanne Wade on 5th Feb, was e-mailed self service log in details and formal GAO offer on 14th but my e-mail decided it was spam so only just seen it.

[quote]Hi guys, anyone else who got their email indication of acceptance around 5 Feb but still has their status as "under review by department" on the portal and hasn't had further communication from the GAO yet?[/quote]

Check your junk mail. I got the e-mail from Suzanne Wade on 5th Feb, was e-mailed self service log in details and formal GAO offer on 14th but my e-mail decided it was spam so only just seen it.
quote

Thank you LLM2238 and tsangc4. I was leaning heavily on UCL's international reputation and top 10 ranking. Does anyone from The States know what the attitude towards these 2 are (LSE v UCL)? I am planning on moving back and I whether these universities are at the same league as Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Caltech and etc? Is it easier securing training contracts with an LLM from UCL or LSE?

Also, I kinda fed Cambridge the idea that I was passionate about finance, what I really wanted to study was corporate governance, international commercial litigation, competition law and IP. Hmm


You'd be mad to turn down Cambridge for LSE/UCL. If the modules you're particularly interested in aren't available at Cambridge look for similar ones (edit: don't forge tthe list isn't finalized yet) and/or think about doing a dissertation in one of those subjects.

[Edited by LLM (Cantab) on Feb 23, 2018]

[quote]Thank you LLM2238 and tsangc4. I was leaning heavily on UCL's international reputation and top 10 ranking. Does anyone from The States know what the attitude towards these 2 are (LSE v UCL)? I am planning on moving back and I whether these universities are at the same league as Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Caltech and etc? Is it easier securing training contracts with an LLM from UCL or LSE?

Also, I kinda fed Cambridge the idea that I was passionate about finance, what I really wanted to study was corporate governance, international commercial litigation, competition law and IP. Hmm [/quote]

You'd be mad to turn down Cambridge for LSE/UCL. If the modules you're particularly interested in aren't available at Cambridge look for similar ones (edit: don't forge tthe list isn't finalized yet) and/or think about doing a dissertation in one of those subjects.
quote
koffie

I don't think there's any reason to worry. A friend received her offer conditions yesterday, while my status was 'under review' until this morning and only now changed to 'awaiting GAO approval'.

On another note, what colleges have you guys put as your first preference, and why? :)

I don't think there's any reason to worry. A friend received her offer conditions yesterday, while my status was 'under review' until this morning and only now changed to 'awaiting GAO approval'.

On another note, what colleges have you guys put as your first preference, and why? :)
quote
MJ1997-15

I don't think there's any reason to worry. A friend received her offer conditions yesterday, while my status was 'under review' until this morning and only now changed to 'awaiting GAO approval'.

On another note, what colleges have you guys put as your first preference, and why? :)


I applied to Wolfson College as my first choice.

Because of its diverse international community.

[quote]I don't think there's any reason to worry. A friend received her offer conditions yesterday, while my status was 'under review' until this morning and only now changed to 'awaiting GAO approval'.

On another note, what colleges have you guys put as your first preference, and why? :)[/quote]

I applied to Wolfson College as my first choice.

Because of its diverse international community.
quote
tsangc4

I don't think there's any reason to worry. A friend received her offer conditions yesterday, while my status was 'under review' until this morning and only now changed to 'awaiting GAO approval'.

On another note, what colleges have you guys put as your first preference, and why? :)


Queens' College 1st preference, Trinity Hall 1nd preference. Having a bit of "buyer's regret" now--hoping Queens College rejects me and Trinity Hall takes me haha.

[quote]I don't think there's any reason to worry. A friend received her offer conditions yesterday, while my status was 'under review' until this morning and only now changed to 'awaiting GAO approval'.

On another note, what colleges have you guys put as your first preference, and why? :)[/quote]

Queens' College 1st preference, Trinity Hall 1nd preference. Having a bit of "buyer's regret" now--hoping Queens College rejects me and Trinity Hall takes me haha.
quote
koffie

I picked Wolfson too. I have heard Fitzwilliam is great as well.

I picked Wolfson too. I have heard Fitzwilliam is great as well.
quote
Rommel

Hi guys, any opinions as to which would be better, Cambridge LLM or the Oxford BCL?

Hi guys, any opinions as to which would be better, Cambridge LLM or the Oxford BCL?
quote

Thank you LLM2238 and tsangc4. I was leaning heavily on UCL's international reputation and top 10 ranking. Does anyone from The States know what the attitude towards these 2 are (LSE v UCL)? I am planning on moving back and I whether these universities are at the same league as Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Caltech and etc? Is it easier securing training contracts with an LLM from UCL or LSE?

Also, I kinda fed Cambridge the idea that I was passionate about finance, what I really wanted to study was corporate governance, international commercial litigation, competition law and IP. Hmm


You'd be mad to turn down Cambridge for LSE/UCL. Not sure about the States, but in the UK, UCL and LSE are a bit of a joke. They let in anyone who can afford the fees and don't fail anyone. If the modules you're particularly interested in aren't available at Cambridge look for similar ones (edit: don't forge tthe list isn't finalized yet) and/or think about doing a dissertation in one of those subjects.


If that is true, I'm a lucky person jajaja

[quote][quote]Thank you LLM2238 and tsangc4. I was leaning heavily on UCL's international reputation and top 10 ranking. Does anyone from The States know what the attitude towards these 2 are (LSE v UCL)? I am planning on moving back and I whether these universities are at the same league as Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Caltech and etc? Is it easier securing training contracts with an LLM from UCL or LSE?

Also, I kinda fed Cambridge the idea that I was passionate about finance, what I really wanted to study was corporate governance, international commercial litigation, competition law and IP. Hmm [/quote]

You'd be mad to turn down Cambridge for LSE/UCL. Not sure about the States, but in the UK, UCL and LSE are a bit of a joke. They let in anyone who can afford the fees and don't fail anyone. If the modules you're particularly interested in aren't available at Cambridge look for similar ones (edit: don't forge tthe list isn't finalized yet) and/or think about doing a dissertation in one of those subjects. [/quote]

If that is true, I'm a lucky person jajaja
quote
Jgrandler

Hi guys, any opinions as to which would be better, Cambridge LLM or the Oxford BCL?


To be very honest, I would say it comes down to the preference of the subject papers you intend to take up (and the availability). Both programs require you to elect 4 courses incuding the dissertation option. I understand that the seminars / tutorials at Oxford entail slightly more supervision as compared to Camridge but the overall structure is very similar.

[quote]Hi guys, any opinions as to which would be better, Cambridge LLM or the Oxford BCL? [/quote]

To be very honest, I would say it comes down to the preference of the subject papers you intend to take up (and the availability). Both programs require you to elect 4 courses incuding the dissertation option. I understand that the seminars / tutorials at Oxford entail slightly more supervision as compared to Camridge but the overall structure is very similar.
quote
nicolas93

I don't think there's any reason to worry. A friend received her offer conditions yesterday, while my status was 'under review' until this morning and only now changed to 'awaiting GAO approval'.

On another note, what colleges have you guys put as your first preference, and why? :)

I applied to Wolfson and Queens!

[Edited by nicolas93 on Feb 17, 2018]

[quote]I don't think there's any reason to worry. A friend received her offer conditions yesterday, while my status was 'under review' until this morning and only now changed to 'awaiting GAO approval'.

On another note, what colleges have you guys put as your first preference, and why? :)[/quote]
I applied to Wolfson and Queens!
quote
n1k4an

My status has changed to "Awaiting approval by the GAO". But no conditions received yet.[/quote

Same here.


Same here.

[quote][quote]My status has changed to "Awaiting approval by the GAO". But no conditions received yet.[/quote

Same here. [/quote]

Same here.
quote



Me...


Same. One theory a friend and I had was that they made the clearest decisions earlier in the week and, given the fact that since Monday most/all of the decisions have been rejections, they are now working through the list rejecting people until they are left with everyone else who will get an offer. Or its entirely random. Who knows?


Yes and no. Given the fact that we are the last ones to hear something, I don't know how cheered up we should be. Conversely, as you have said, most of all the decisions have been rejections since Monday and our status is still Under Review, it makes me feel that 1) they haven't reached our applications OR 2) they did but they still have to make a decision. Now, all we're doing is to create hypotheses. I don't know how Cambridge operates but today we should get an answer. All we have to do is hope and fingers crossed to everyone.

3) As a bonus: Don't forget that I think we're approx. 50 people who kept chatting about the apps and stuff. I'm confident that 1000 apps had been sent (in accordance to the stats on the website) and we don't know what the others have received. We're just a tiny part of the entire cohort!



I already received a rejection email from Cambridge LLM, but still waiting for a response from Oxford, Harvard and Yale.... I have the same question (and tell myself this everyday since I really want to believe it) if I haven't received an answer I suppose it means that somehow I am still being considered by the university, since I think that when they make a decision the university informs you immediately, if somebody knows something different please let me know as I am very anxious for the answer :/

No news, good news.

[quote][quote][quote][quote]Anyone else still not heard about the LLM?[/quote]

Me...[/quote]

Same. One theory a friend and I had was that they made the clearest decisions earlier in the week and, given the fact that since Monday most/all of the decisions have been rejections, they are now working through the list rejecting people until they are left with everyone else who will get an offer. Or its entirely random. Who knows?[/quote]

Yes and no. Given the fact that we are the last ones to hear something, I don't know how cheered up we should be. Conversely, as you have said, most of all the decisions have been rejections since Monday and our status is still Under Review, it makes me feel that 1) they haven't reached our applications OR 2) they did but they still have to make a decision. Now, all we're doing is to create hypotheses. I don't know how Cambridge operates but today we should get an answer. All we have to do is hope and fingers crossed to everyone.

3) As a bonus: Don't forget that I think we're approx. 50 people who kept chatting about the apps and stuff. I'm confident that 1000 apps had been sent (in accordance to the stats on the website) and we don't know what the others have received. We're just a tiny part of the entire cohort! [/quote]


I already received a rejection email from Cambridge LLM, but still waiting for a response from Oxford, Harvard and Yale.... I have the same question (and tell myself this everyday since I really want to believe it) if I haven't received an answer I suppose it means that somehow I am still being considered by the university, since I think that when they make a decision the university informs you immediately, if somebody knows something different please let me know as I am very anxious for the answer :/

No news, good news.

quote
koffie

You already received a rejection mail?

You already received a rejection mail?
quote

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