u/RavennaNyx1

Hi, I'm a 11th grader (CBSE), and I've been preparing for Cambridge (HSPS specifically). I've also considered LSE's Politics and IR course.

I've been a fairly long-time lurker here (this is an alt account) and the recent posts have really been disheartening. I'm not super wealthy by any accounts (I'm only considering going abroad if scholarships cover at least 70% of the fees), so I'd like some guidance from anyone who has any experience with my dilemma.

My main question is: I've read a lot of posts on how the UK job market is terrible at the moment, especially for immigrants. But is it still that difficult if you graduated from Oxbridge/LSE? I understand I may sound a little idealistic here, but there are various internship opportunities in your second year.

Is it worth going to the UK for an undergraduate degree, or should I get it here, and then go for Masters? Frankly speaking, I'm not interested in NEET or UPSC. I was thinking of applying during 12th; in case things didn't work out, I was planning on taking NEET (I have PCB as my subjects, and I'm okay with a gap year).

My parents are more interested in me pursuing UPSC if I really wanted to get a degree in humanities (for the IFS). But my main motivations are better quality of life and finances. Ultimately, I just want to make my family proud. However, I would really like a shot at Cambridge - it's a course that really aligns with my interests and current profile.

So basically, I just want some advice; should I try convincing my parents? They're worried because I'll be migrating with just a 12th grade diploma (which, fair) and stand a risk, in case something goes wrong. But I also believe that finding a good job (no matter how taxing) cannot be as impossible as it is if your degree is from a tier 2 university. I intend to go into either strategy/management consulting or policy (I'm not choosing degrees specific to finance because I dropped Maths in 10th so I'm not eligible).

The four current paths I have in front of me are these:

• Cambridge/LSE -> job -> Masters later (since experience matters more in Europe, unlike India)
• Gap year -> NEET -> dermatology (I honestly don't think I'm suited for something so taxing and time-taking)
• A similar humanities degree in a tier 1 college in India -> Masters at Oxbridge (but then what of the job prospects?)
• A similar humanities degree in a tier 1 college in India -> UPSC -> IFS (what if I don't clear the IFS interviews? The undergraduate degree would be basically useless here without Masters if I quit UPSC. It would all take a lot of time and money)

I'd really appreciate some help! Thanks in advance.

my_qualifications: CBSE Class 10th.