As an international student, the financial commimtment required is pretty intense so I've been agonizing over this for the past few days. Hope someone here can help.

I've been offered a place at LSE's MSc in Management programme for 2007/2008. My end goal is to do a ph.D in Management in the United States(has to be in the states!) and I was wondering if this Masters program is appropriate as a stepping stone. Are their research assistanship positions available?

I'm also curious on how the atmosphere is really like, since I would like to take into account the whole experience itself.

Replies will be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.