Need some opinions about UK univs

[pug]

So, I got my conditional offers from Cambridge, LSE and Imperial. But cambridge wants me to take two expensive tests for which I might have to come up to UK. So, in all, its going to cost a lot even to just hope for Cambridge. Is it worth it? I mean, LSE is good for Mathematics and Economics, and Imperial is also prestigious. But should I take the tests and try for Cambridge? And between the two London univs, which one is better? I'm not really bothered about rankings as about general opinion of people regarding the universities?

[Blaze]

Vic Uni in Wellington is where it's at...

[superkingdave]

Originally Posted by pug

So, I got my conditional offers from Cambridge, LSE and Imperial. But cambridge wants me to take two expensive tests for which I might have to come up to UK. So, in all, its going to cost a lot even to just hope for Cambridge. Is it worth it? I mean, LSE is good for Mathematics and Economics, and Imperial is also prestigious. But should I take the tests and try for Cambridge? And between the two London univs, which one is better? I'm not really bothered about rankings as about general opinion of people regarding the universities?

I'd take LSE over Imperial, both very good academically though but i think there's a bit more life outside the work at LSE, the location is also better imo, though it's a bit near Strand Poly

[Sudeep]

Originally Posted by pug

So, I got my conditional offers from Cambridge, LSE and Imperial. But cambridge wants me to take two expensive tests for which I might have to come up to UK. So, in all, its going to cost a lot even to just hope for Cambridge. Is it worth it? I mean, LSE is good for Mathematics and Economics, and Imperial is also prestigious. But should I take the tests and try for Cambridge? And between the two London univs, which one is better? I'm not really bothered about rankings as about general opinion of people regarding the universities?

Wow!

[barmyarmy]

I'd say that Oxbridge is seriously over-rated. Both LSE and Imperial are excellent universities but for some reason in this country there's an idea that if you can get in to Oxbridge you should go there.
London is also a fantastic place to live and much more multi-cultural if you are coming from India. Both Oxford and Cambridge can tend to be a bit insular and waspish.

[BoyBrumby]

Originally Posted by barmyarmy

I'd say that Oxbridge is seriously over-rated. Both LSE and Imperial are excellent universities but for some reason in this country there's an idea that if you can get in to Oxbridge you should go there.
London is also a fantastic place to live and much more multi-cultural if you are coming from India. Both Oxford and Cambridge can tend to be a bit insular and waspish.

I can't speak for Oxford, but Cambridge (the town) is anything but waspish. We have large Italian & Polish communities and a growing Asian community.

Insular I will give you, plus the night life's fairly mediocre too.

[DanielFullard]

I would highly recomend Durham.

When choosing my University I satyed at both Oxford and Cambridge on one of those 4-day teaser visits where basically they pay for eveything to gte you to go, but I just didnt like either of them. I am a north-east lad through and through and every communication I had with Durham was positivie and 2 years in I have never looked back

[Neil Pickup]

If you wanna spend three years doing nothing and still get a first, Exeter's your call.

LSE is as good as anywhere for Economics.

[Goughy]

Originally Posted by barmyarmy

I'd say that Oxbridge is seriously over-rated. Both LSE and Imperial are excellent universities but for some reason in this country there's an idea that if you can get in to Oxbridge you should go there.
London is also a fantastic place to live and much more multi-cultural if you are coming from India. Both Oxford and Cambridge can tend to be a bit insular and waspish.

Pug, Which college at Cambridge were you accepted to? It makes a big difference.
Wife went to Wadham, Oxford and sister went to Jesus, Cambridge. IMO Cambridge is the nicer city, in fact the prettiest place Ive been to in the UK. As for WASPISH, neither my wife or sister are White, Anglo-Saxon Protestants.

LSE is a very good school. Be aware for some snobbery and quized looks if you choose it over Cambridge. In the classic British comedy "Yes, Minister" the minister Jim Hacker went to LSE and his civil servants treated him with academic disrespect because he did did not go to Oxbridge.

On the flip side I did not apply to either Oxford or Cambridge. Not my cup of tea and I had no real interest in associating with these type of organisations. I admire both institutions but I saw no way I could not be driven crazy there.

If you feel you will fit in at Cambridge then I readily suggest going. However, it is not suited to everyone. Consider it carefully, talk to people and if you think you could setttle and enjoy 3 years at Cambridge then I say choose Cambridge.

[Matteh]

Originally Posted by Neil Pickup

If you wanna spend three years doing nothing and still get a first, Exeter's your call.
LSE is as good as anywhere for Economics.

Exeter rejected me lol
I'd personally pick LSE over Imperial....and i agree that OxBridge is overrated

[Neil Pickup]

LOL @ Mat. Rejected by Exeter - now that sucks... almost as much as being hit for six by me.

At least not coming to Exeter saved you from the potential embarrassment of being hit for six by me in reality...

[Matteh]

Originally Posted by Neil Pickup

LOL @ Mat. Rejected by Exeter - now that sucks... almost as much as being hit for six by me.
At least not coming to Exeter saved you from the potential embarrassment of being hit for six by me in reality...

I wanted to do German...and it turns out that A Level German is a lot harder than degree German oddly.....so despite putting effort in i got a rubbish German A level grade which i know i'm better than....

You'd probably bowl me out a lot too which would be even more embarrassing....i can't lay any of the bat on a leg spin googly =/

[steds]

Originally Posted by superkingdave

I'd take LSE over Imperial, both very good academically though but i think there's a bit more life outside the work at LSE, the location is also better imo, though it's a bit near Strand Poly

To be fair, they're both a bit too ...southern.

[Langeveldt]

If money is an issue, bare in mind that London is nearly twice as expensive to live as other locations in the country.. But when you're looking at the top unis like you are, you can't really go too far wrong

[Barney Rubble]

Originally Posted by Neil Pickup

LOL @ Mat. Rejected by Exeter - now that sucks... almost as much as being hit for six by me.

At least not coming to Exeter saved you from the potential embarrassment of being hit for six by me in reality...

Assuming having two arms, two legs and a sense of co-ordination didn't get there first, you mean.....