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16 Jan 2026, 01:52
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Hey guys,
I am extremely anxious and would like some honest opinions. Looking to apply for R3 LBS MFA program
Profile:
East Asian male
LSE undergraduate (Math and Econs) - 3rd Class
6 months of IB Tech in London, 2 summers in IB in London.
GMAT FE - 100th percentile 745 (Q90), CFA level 1, planning on taking level 2.
EC - National level sports (football and T&F), math comps, debate comps, pianist, volunteering overseas
Do I stand a chance despite my undergraduate grades? I want to know whether I can compensate it with my GMAT and CFA. Reason for my poor undergraduate was because of own fault and lack focus while taking the hardest possible modules. Will defo write a more convincing story for it.
Please give any feedback, I’m so anxious. Would I get auto rejected? What else can I do besides ofc applying?
I am extremely anxious and would like some honest opinions. Looking to apply for R3 LBS MFA program
Profile:
East Asian male
LSE undergraduate (Math and Econs) - 3rd Class
6 months of IB Tech in London, 2 summers in IB in London.
GMAT FE - 100th percentile 745 (Q90), CFA level 1, planning on taking level 2.
EC - National level sports (football and T&F), math comps, debate comps, pianist, volunteering overseas
Do I stand a chance despite my undergraduate grades? I want to know whether I can compensate it with my GMAT and CFA. Reason for my poor undergraduate was because of own fault and lack focus while taking the hardest possible modules. Will defo write a more convincing story for it.
Please give any feedback, I’m so anxious. Would I get auto rejected? What else can I do besides ofc applying?
17 Jan 2026, 09:00
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To be completely honest with you—as you requested—a 3rd Class degree from LSE is a significant hurdle for an elite program like the LBS MFA. However, your profile is a textbook case of "extreme variance," and you are certainly not an auto-reject.
The LBS MFA specifically states they look for a 2:1 or equivalent (GPA 3.3+). Falling into the 3rd Class category usually triggers a red flag, but your GMAT and CFA results are exactly the "silver bullets" needed to argue that your undergraduate grades do not represent your actual intellectual ceiling.
The Reality Check: Where You Stand
Can You Compensate?
Yes, but not by just "having" the scores. You have to frame them correctly.
You are a High-Risk, High-Reward candidate. LBS might take a chance on you because a 745 GMAT helps their class average and your IB experience helps their employment stats. You won't be auto-rejected, but you must "humanize" the 3rd Class degree so they see a reformed high-achiever rather than a student who gave up.
The LBS MFA specifically states they look for a 2:1 or equivalent (GPA 3.3+). Falling into the 3rd Class category usually triggers a red flag, but your GMAT and CFA results are exactly the "silver bullets" needed to argue that your undergraduate grades do not represent your actual intellectual ceiling.
The Reality Check: Where You Stand
| The Red Flags | The Compensators |
| 3rd Class Honours: This is the primary concern. It suggests a lack of academic discipline or rigor during your three years at LSE. | GMAT 745 (100th %ile): This is your strongest asset. It proves you have the raw "horsepower" to handle the MFA's quantitative intensity. |
| Round 3 Application: Applying late is always harder as spots are filling up, and the committee has already seen many "perfect" profiles. | LSE Brand & Major: Math and Economics at LSE is known for being brutally difficult. A 3rd from LSE is viewed differently than a 3rd from a non-target. |
| Asian Male Demographic: You are in one of the most competitive applicant pools, where high GMAT scores are common. | IB Experience: 6 months of Tech IB plus two summers in London IB is excellent for a "pre-experience" Masters. |
Can You Compensate?
Yes, but not by just "having" the scores. You have to frame them correctly.
- The "LSE Rigor" Argument: You took the "hardest possible modules." In your optional essay, you must explicitly name these modules (e.g., Advanced Econometrics, Real Analysis) and explain that your 3rd Class was a result of over-extension and a lack of maturity, rather than a lack of ability.
- The CFA & GMAT Duo: The CFA Level 1 pass and the 100th percentile GMAT create a "data sandwich" around your LSE grades. They prove that recently (Post-LSE), you have mastered the exact material the MFA teaches.
- National Sports & ECs: LBS loves "well-rounded" leaders. Your national-level football/T&F and piano skills prove you have the "grit" and discipline that was clearly missing during your undergraduate lectures.
- The Optional Essay is Mandatory: Do not leave this blank. Be humble. Do not blame the professors or the school. Take full ownership: "I lacked focus and mismanaged the workload of a highly quantitative degree." Then, immediately pivot to: "However, my 745 GMAT and CFA progress demonstrate the professional maturity and academic readiness I now possess."
- Target the "Employability" Angle: LBS cares deeply about their employment rankings. Your IB experience makes you "highly employable" despite your GPA. Focus your main essays on how you will secure a top-tier return offer or pivot into a global firm.
- Networking: Reach out to the LBS recruitment team for a CV review (they often offer this for the MFA). If they encourage you to apply after seeing your 745 and IB experience, that is a green light.
You are a High-Risk, High-Reward candidate. LBS might take a chance on you because a 745 GMAT helps their class average and your IB experience helps their employment stats. You won't be auto-rejected, but you must "humanize" the 3rd Class degree so they see a reformed high-achiever rather than a student who gave up.
chicken123
17 Jan 2026, 12:23
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Hey,
First of all, I just want to say I really appreciate the honest feedback. It is a genuine relief to hear I won't be auto rejected and that my application will at least be looked at. Still, that would mean I need to work twice as hard to stand a chance.
I guess what I took from this is that I really need to zone in on my application essays (and network), really angling it to showcase my pros to differentiate myself.
Again, I want to really say thank you for the response!
First of all, I just want to say I really appreciate the honest feedback. It is a genuine relief to hear I won't be auto rejected and that my application will at least be looked at. Still, that would mean I need to work twice as hard to stand a chance.
I guess what I took from this is that I really need to zone in on my application essays (and network), really angling it to showcase my pros to differentiate myself.
Again, I want to really say thank you for the response!
dotsoftme
