By Maria Busz, MAM Recruitment Associate
When submitting your application for one of the Early Careers programmes there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Below are a few helpful hints and tips to get you started.
Research
Choosing to do a postgraduate degree is a big commitment and an investment in your future. Therefore, doing thorough research first is hugely important.
Reaching out to our Student Ambassadors and large Alumni network via our website, is a good way to connect with people who are doing, or have done, the programme that you’re interested in. Our Student Ambassadors are always happy to help and can answer any queries you have. Additionally, our online events are a great way to hear more about life at LBS and the student experience.
After researching and deciding which programme at LBS is right for you, you can submit your CV for a review via our website. A member of our Recruitment and Admissions team will assess your eligibility for your programme of interest, and will support you through the application process. As part of the application process we will need proof of your GPA, GMAT/GRE and English proficiency, so having these documents to hand ahead of time can expedite the application process.
References
In order for us to get a better understanding of who you are we require one professional and one academic reference. For these it’s a good idea to ask someone who knows you well and knows how you work, to give our Recruitment and Admissions team a better idea of why LBS is the right place for you. Your referees don’t need to provide a traditional reference letter, we will simply ask for their contact details and send out a form to fill out at their earliest convenience. It’s best to let them know early enough so that they can submit their references in time.
Essay questions
Essay questions are another important part of the application process, as they allow your personality and experiences to shine through. It’s also an opportunity to explain why your chosen programme is important to you, and what you can bring to that programme and the wider LBS community. Take your time to research, reflect, and tailor your answers to portray your skills, knowledge, aspirations, and personality so they are relevant to the programme of your choice.
The first essay question focuses on your personal reasons for applying for the programme. Our candidates come from various backgrounds and hold different bachelor’s degrees, therefore their career goals will be different. Your ideal career journey is unique to you. What you wish to gain from the programme, your knowledge about its benefits and how it will support your career, is personal.
The second question focuses on how you will contribute to the LBS community as a student or alum. This is where doing prior research on the LBS community will be beneficial to your answer. It’s great to have an idea of what you wish to bring and contribute to the school as well – these can be new ideas for events or clubs. Your contributions can also be related to supporting others or bringing something new from your background or culture to the school. There is no limit to what you can bring to the table!
For Global Masters in Management (GMiM) candidates, there is a third essay question that is focused on what you are looking to gain from your second year at Fudan University in Shanghai. The GMiM programme is ideal for those of you who are looking to gain international exposure in the Asian markets, so it is important that the Asian culture is close to your heart. The essay is a perfect opportunity to highlight this interest in Asian culture in your answers.
There’s also a third essay question for Master in Analytics and Management (MAM) candidates. Part of the MAM curriculum focuses on applying data to business, and this is reflected in the essay as we ask you to describe a professional or academic data driven project you have been involved with. It is important that you are able to demonstrate a project you had worked on that has allowed you to apply data knowledge into practice. We do not expect you do be data experts however we are looking for demonstration of those skills, such as programming knowledge.