Economics at the LSE
PART 1: APPLICATION PROCESS
How to begin writing a personal statement
I remember sitting in front of the computer staring at my personal statement. I had just typed “I would like to study economics because…” before my mind went blank. Why did I even want to study economics? I couldn’t think. Naturally, I made a cup of tea. (Tea fixes everything right?) I returned to my laptop and the words were still staring at me, almost ridiculing me. The problem was that I had never reflected on why I wanted to study economics so nothing I wrote felt right.
I will outline what personally worked for me when I started writing my personal statement. I encourage you to start as early as possible, even as early as year 12.
Brainstorm - write down everything you personally love about economics and why you want to study it on a piece of paper. There is no right or wrong answer. What fascinates you about the subject? What interests you? Scribble down everything that comes to mind. If you are truly interested in a topic then writing about it at a later date will be easier than writing about something you are not interested in. For example, I had “behavioural economics”, “income inequality” and “growth models” on mine.
Review - After a few days come back to your brainstorm paper and really inspect it. Pick two or three topics that truly interest you. Highlight them, circle them, put a star next to them. I chose to focus on “income inequality” and “growth models.”
Research - Spend some time reviewing and researching those topics that you highlighted in your brainstorm. Your research could consist of online websites, journals, watching YouTube videos - anything! Try to find books related to those topics. Investigate if there are any academic publications on your topic preferably published by academics from the main universities you are applying for. I ended up reading a book that I later mentioned on my personal statement “Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty” by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson.
Opinion - As you research the topics you are interested in try to formulate your own thoughts and opinions. For example is there anything you agree or disagree with? What are your views on this subject? Read critically and question everything. I had folders set up on my computer with various notes, and opinions that I made from analysing my literature. This is vital as LSE appreciates independent thinking and like to see creativity in approaching issues. Having your own views and the ability to present your arguments is fundamental to writing a good personal statement. For instance, I genuinely believed that economic injustice is a breeding ground for social unrest and economic failure and I conveyed this in my statement.
Action - Now that you have a more consolidated view on what are your particular interests in economics, you can start to engage in activities that demonstrate those interests. For example, you could write a blog post about an article you read. Not only will you demonstrate your passion for economics, but will also project good communication skills which LSE values. I decided to give a presentation to my schools economics society on injustice and inequality.
What extracurricular activities should I engage in to boost my personal statement?
I spent my sixth-form days running around trying to do every single activity to make my personal statement look good. Cooking Society? Sign me up. Netball? Yes please. Football? Of course! At the end, I was left exhausted and had no time to focus on my A-Levels. LSE appreciates extracurricular activities as evident by the multitude of societies and athletic teams available on campus. Having said that it is worth noting that the LSE’s main focus is on your academic interests. Their ideal candidate is someone who is passionate about economics. Therefore, try to tailor your work experience and activities so that they can be linked to economics. Do not drain yourself by going overboard on different activities, choose a few and make sure your main focus is economics.
Below are a list of economics-related activities and non-economics related activities that you could engage in:
Some economics-related activities:
Start your own economics blog
Contribute your thoughts to your schools economics society newsletter
If your school doesn't have an economics society could you set up a small group of friends and classmates to discuss economic issues weekly?
Read a lot of economics related books
Attend economics related events or seminars near you if available
Participate in economic essay competitions
Some non-economics related activities:
Team sports (highlights team-work)
Individual sport like tennis/golf (highlights resilience and commitment)
Musical instrument (highlights perseverance)
Duke of Edinburgh (for applicants from within the UK; highlights your capabilities in dealing with challenges)
Volunteering and giving back to society (a major part of LSE’s culture and ethos)
PART 2: STUDYING ECONOMICS AT THE LSE
Know your degree
I was so consumed by my applying and being accepted by various prestigious universities that I never really took the time to find out more about the degree structure. I had the entry requirements page memorised but not what the degree actually entailed. My advice is to really research the degree, have a look at what subjects you will be studying in your undergraduate degree and if they fit your interests. Connecting with LSE students or graduates for advice, if feasible, is also crucial and can help you make a more informed decision.
Structure of Economics at LSE
I will highlight the first year structure for BSc Economics for when I started in September 2016.
For a BSc Economics degree you have 4 courses in the first year. You will have two examinations: January exams (Lent term) and then Summer exams. Your degree comprises of 3 mandatory core subjects and a fourth subject that you can choose from a selected list:
Mathematical Methods (MA100)
Statistical Theory (ST102)
Economics A or B (EC100 or EC102 - If you have an A-Level in Economics then you will be in Economics B)
An outside option (You have a wide variety of choice from government to accounting)
Each subject has a couple of weekly lectures that are attended by all the students on the course. In addition you will have one weekly class per subject, usually a 20 student class size. The framework is that during the lectures you take notes and are given the material needed to know. The lecturer publishes a problem set that you do as homework which is then discussed in the smaller classes. Classes are obligatory and attendance is recorded. Attendance for lectures is not mandatory and some of your lectures may be recorded, but it is highly encouraged to attend all the lectures especially if you wish to do well.
Learning Style and Economics
Most of the learning done at LSE is through independent learning. It is imperative to take the initiative and be responsible for your own work and learning. In order to achieve your best you ought to go to lectures, take notes, do the required readings and go in depth in each subject. There are a lot of resources available to guide you through the process such as office hours with your teachers or lecturers, further reading, and textbooks but you have to take advantage and make use of them.
Note that LSE along with other universities, don’t tend to publish past paper answers and each course can vary year to year depending on the lecturer teaching it because the lecturer designs their own course. Therefore, if you are used to revising for A-Levels or GCSEs by doing as many past papers (yes I am guilty here) then you will have to adapt your learning style in university. Doing past paper questions will still be useful but in university it is more important to actually learn the content properly so you can apply the theory in an unfamiliar setting.
I would like to highlight that LSE offers a lot of support for their students. Each student is assigned an academic mentor, there is peer support and all the lecturers and staff are very friendly so don’t be shy to ask your questions or come to anyone with any concern/query.
Making the most of your LSE experience
Other than classes and lectures you will have plenty of time as a university student. Leverage your free time to enhance your university experience. LSE offers a great variety of student societies and athletic clubs so I suggest joining them and pursuing your various interests. Try something new! Most societies welcome beginners and I got involved in a lot of fun activities like bee-keeping and lacrosse. Get involved in societies because it will give you a chance not only to explore your interests but to network and make great friends. Some of my best friends I met were through society events.
Society events such as functions held by the Economics Society or various career societies can also be useful in helping you figure out what you would like to pursue in the future. In my first year I joined a bunch of consultancy, banking and business societies. Participating in events organised by these societies really gave me a much needed perspective on different career prospects. The LSE careers centre also holds a lot of events and workshops to help in job applications.
On a final note I would like to end with the fact that LSE has been one of the best experiences of my life and I truly enjoyed it. I wish you the best of luck in your university applications and don’t stress because in the end it will all work out and you will end up where you are meant to be!
If you have any questions about this piece or are looking for help with your application, email us at support@doxa.co.uk
BSc Economics
I read Economics at the LSE where I was heavily involved in Business and Finance Society and where I provided advice and guidance in applying to banking internships and graduate schemes. I am currently embarking on a Global Markets Graduate scheme.
