By Benjamin Gorisek-Gazze, Year 12
London: the number one city for students. This is the title attributed to London because of its consistent and diverse cultural, economic and educational opportunities. With over 40 universities ranging from the infamous and perennial Oxbridge to the many unique institutions for any course imaginable, London certainly lives up to its name. And yet, within this rare blend of hundreds of thousands of students, a small school in the heart of London continues to cultivate some of the world’s top scholars and leaders. That school is The London School of Economics and Political Science, (LSE). But what exactly makes LSE so different?
Having recently returned from the school’s university trip to London, I saw various schools of different sizes and qualities. The most enchanting aspect of LSE was the curious and contemporary mindset embodied within the entire school. Built on the foundations of a period marked by great economic and social change, LSE had a clear mission: to contribute to the betterment of society. At LSE, students are encouraged to approach issues from a quantitative and realistic perspective. The school uniquely seeks to understand how society is steered by a complex interrelationship of minute human factors. With this in mind, classes are approached with a sense of practicality unseen in many liberal arts programs. To put it bluntly, LSE confronts real world issues with real world solutions.
Campus
LSE has a modern and operational campus. It sits in the heart of the city, between other larger universities such as Imperial, UCL and Kings. Its proximity to a number of museums, financial institutions, the Palace and Parliament make it the ideal place to study all topics regarding the economy and society. Additionally, the campus space is intuitive and has an educational air, making it perfect for learning and collaboration. The campus itself is a space carved out of the city, allowing for an isolated space within walking distance of the city centre. While it is a city campus, meaning most facilities are situated within large buildings, LSE manages to create a lively, calm, green and central space between the hustle and bustle of the city; the integration of large windows and open spaces within each building make them feel the opposite of isolated. For those looking for a modern campus, LSE is the place to go.
Opportunities
Naturally, one of the best aspects of LSE is the sheer number of opportunities and experiences that it offers. Not only is LSE a well-known institution with a wide variety of post-graduation job opportunities and possibilities of further education, but it allows students to expand their horizons and take advantage of various cultural and social opportunities. Additionally, the school has connections to top level international firms and organisations.
Overall, LSE puts a large emphasis on passion and understanding of a subject and its intricacies. When applying, the school wants to hear about your reason for spending three years of your life studying that specific subject. What does it mean to you and how did this passion come to be? Being able to answer this uniquely and interestingly is what sets you apart. A school that is making a difference in the world needs to know you are a person who can bring a difference to their classrooms. It is this passion and originality that sets both an applicant and LSE as a whole apart from the masses of students and universities of London.
