By Snigdha Allada (MFA2025)
My decision to apply to LBS was arguably one of the simplest, although not without being nerve-wracking (as one is when applying for their Masters!), given that I was steadfast on attending a school that nurtured both my academic and personal growth.
One of the first aspects that drew me to LBS was the diversity of people and thought, which, as someone exposed to an incredibly rich international community as an U18 international tennis player, caught my eye. Keen to find out more before penning in an application, I reached out to LBS on all available platforms by attending open evenings, club events, speaking to current students and alumni – all of which echoed one key message: if you are a curious, proactive individual who will thrive in a multicultural and diverse community, then LBS is for you. The amalgamation of unique perspectives at LBS aligned perfectly with me, having pursued a Biomedical Sciences undergraduate course at UCL whilst securing several internships in investment banking, and keen to continue a career in finance. Having now settled into the rhythm of LBS, I can safely say that my experience thus far has been nothing short of enriching!
Anyway, let me get to the crux of this and break down my application journey to the Masters in Financial Analysis (MFA), highlighting do’s, don’ts and key pieces of advice.
1. Research, research, research
It goes without saying, but having a solid reasoning behind why LBS is crucial when applying, as the application questions probe you to think deeper about yourself and your career goals. For me, having paved my way into finance prior to joining LBS, I knew that I wanted a program that would allow me to explore other niches within finance, whether that be through networking, speaking to classmates, or leveraging other programs to forge connections. Furthermore, I wanted an academic grounding in finance that would bolster my knowledge in the field and prepare me for the working world.
The MFA stood out to me for its comprehensive and rigorous curriculum, covering a large breadth of areas within finance, and the unique balance between technical and soft skills development. However, unsure as to which programme I would be best suited to, I arranged a CV consultation with the Recruitment Team who had informed me that I would in fact be a great fit for the MFA and the LBS community. This reinforced my motivation to explore everything that LBS had to offer as I was determined to pursue my Masters here.
2. Engage with the LBS community
Giving back and helping others out is a key pillar of the LBS community, which became evident to me when I reached out to current students and alumni prior to beginning my application journey. Firstly, attending an open evening where the Recruitment Team detailed key information on what made LBS different to other business schools, the application process, the career services on offer and speaking to current students was incredibly insightful. I was able to experience the openness and enthusiasm of students and staff alike towards prospective candidates.
In the same vein, the students I spoke to individually took time out of their day to call me to answer any questions I had about LBS. I remember one conversation with a student ambassador who highlighted the friendly culture amongst students and staff, how much the faculty genuinely care and make classes engaging, as well as the collaborative nature of the course. To obtain a comprehensive picture of the LBS experience, I attended webinars organised by the Women in Business club, as someone who is an advocate for gender diversity in the finance industry. It was encouraging to see how active the club was in promoting these values and how supportive the LBS community was as a whole. Whilst I completed my own research into the school and the program, gaining firsthand experience and speaking to current students was key in cementing LBS as the top choice for my Masters.
3. The application itself
I began my application during the final year of my undergraduate studies, thus had to balance writing my dissertation, preparing for my final-year exams and studying tougher academic content with practising for the GMAT, deciding on my referee and writing (and re-writing!) my application essays. Eventhough LBS do review applications on a holistic basis, I would definitely advise spending time on each part of the application to make it the best possible, as this is your chance to stand out. You might be wondering what makes the perfect candidate for LBS, and to that I would say there is no one answer – just be authentically yourself whilst letting your best version shine through.
After pressing ‘send’ on the application form, the next two weeks of waiting to hear whether I had received an interview was daunting but when that email did finally come through, it felt as though my hard work up until that point had paid off. However cliché this sounds, the interview is a means to get to know you better whilst connecting with an LBS alumnus, who you can leverage to find out more about the school and their experience. Whilst I was nervous for my interview, I viewed it as an opportunity to hear about the value of diverse upbringings and cultures at LBS, which lent itself to a more inspiring conversation.
The wait following the interview was more unnerving than the one prior, but finding out I had received an offer was surreal. Having applied in one of the later cycles, the offer date overlapped with one of my final exams hence when my flatmate opened the email from LBS with the news (as I was too scared to do so myself!), I could not believe it even after I saw it with my own eyes. Furthermore, a few weeks later, an unexpected phone call informed me that I received a Merit Scholarship which was beyond what I could have envisioned when applying for a Masters. Accepting my offer was the easiest part of the application process and choosing LBS one of the best decisions I have made!
4. Final pieces of advice
The main parting thoughts from me are to network effectively, attend a multitude of events and ask questions! The more you immerse yourself into the LBS culture, the more you will understand whether it is the right fit for you. Invest time in yourself and the application as there are several aspects to it, each of which are your opportunities to showcase yourself and what makes you unique. Having bonded with my class and the broader community, I can easily say that this is what makes LBS so special!
If you are thinking about joining LBS for the MFA, or would like to know more about my experience, feel free to reach out to me via email at sallada.mfa2025@london.edu. I am always open to chat and am more than happy to help!