LSE funding. What should I do?

[Mr. Stochastic]

I have gotten admitted to the LSE EME, but I have not yet filled out the forms for the GSS to apply for funding. The EME is one of the most expensive degrees at LSE, and I guess that is deliberate so that funding might be out of the question.

Also, I cannot argue that I am in a particular need of support, at least no more than anyone else. I already have a 20k loan from government program, but I can take on a loan to finance the entire EME degree, and I dont have to pay any interest or anything until I start earning money. Basically, funding would be nice, but not strictly necessary.

My profile is ok, but I dont think theyre dying to get me there, so I dont think they would try to entice me to come.

I have a few questions:

1. Is there any chance that I can get funded? Do people get funded at the EME/econ at all?

2. If theres a possibility of getting funding, how should I go about? Should I write that unless I get lots of money then I wont be able to come, and that I already have significant loans, my parents are poor, I have several disabilities and so forth (the truth begin well-fed, healthy middle-class from quite rich country).

3. Is there any other way to obtain funding for studies at LSE?

Thank you.

[walt526]

I have no specific knowledge of LSE. That being said, you can certainly ask if any funding is available, but under no circumstances would I outright lie in attempt to secure it.

[mindlessme]

I don't know what is your situation, but there are a few scholarships available for LSE admits (I think most of them are country based), the full list is on the Financial Support office's website. You don't have to apply separately, just fill out the GSS form. But the results of those will come later, second half of June - first half of July.

AFAIK, the GSS itself doesn't take into account how much the department wants to get you into the programme. It mostly depends on the info you provide in the GSS application.

Certainly, give truthful info, I think they can ask you to provide supporting documentation if you get any funding from them (at least, that's what they state on their website)

Overall, it's pretty hard to get funding from the LSE for Econ/EME MSc, but that's already common knowledge on this forum

[Mr. Stochastic]

I am not at all suggesting lying, which would be counterproductive and immoral. To apply for the GSS you have to write a statement arguing 'your case', and I just wondered how one should do that. In my case, I could, make a big point out of the completely true facts that I have no savings whatsoever, a 20k loan already, and no expectations of any parental support.

At the application on also has to explicitly fill out the minimum amount one needs in order to enter the program. I really do not NEED anything, as I can take on a private loan. But this goes for everybody else as well.

What do you think I should do? Should I write: some dough would be nice, but I dont mind taking on a private loan?

[backtotheUS]

Guys, don't forget that the GSS is not solely need-based.

[MicroIOGuy]

The GSS seemed like a complete formality to me. I filled it after I was already admitted to the MSc Econ (Research) program and literally a second after I submitted it, it told me how much I was getting. I think it even said somewhere that funding has been decided upon admission and that the decision will only be viewable once I fill the GSS. I got a 9,600 pound scholarship which is quite nice (about half of the cost of tuition).

[in_limbo]

Do you think all the LSE EME acceptances have been sent out as yet?

[PoliticalEcon]

The GSS seemed like a complete formality to me. I filled it after I was already admitted to the MSc Econ (Research) program and literally a second after I submitted it, it told me how much I was getting. I think it even said somewhere that funding has been decided upon admission and that the decision will only be viewable once I fill the GSS. I got a 9,600 pound scholarship which is quite nice (about half of the cost of tuition).

This is sad, because they ask you to write an essay as part of the application and ask that it be different from the SOP. Clearly it is a waste of time for the applicants who invest so much energy into writing and making a case for themselves in the GSS application. Very disappointing, coming from LSE.

[mindlessme]

the second letter is used for those additional scholarships, and there it matters a lot.
so it's not completely useless

[Mr. Stochastic]

Do you think all the LSE EME acceptances have been sent out as yet?

No. I don't. At least, I havent heard anything from anyone, seen anything on gradcafe or here. My school sends very many students to LSE, and the structure of my undergraduate degree is quite similar to that of LSE, so they might have expedited me faster. I applied in late january.


If I just modify my SOP a little bit, and then upload it for the GSS, would that be regarded as I dont care about enough even to write a few words?

@backtotheUS:What factors do you think one should emphasize?