Hi,
I am an international student and I have applied to Ecole polytechnique and will have my interview soon. I would like to ask you whether you see Ecole polytechnique as a good choice in terms of the chance to enroll into a prestigious graduate school in the US afterward for Astrophysics or theoretical physics. I have excellent A-level grades (British patterned) and also have taken Sat and Sat2 and had pretty decent scores (1470 and 2 800s). I also applied to US universities (Middlebury , Hamilton, Vassar and 15 others ), but I suspect that my chances are not great since I have a big financial need ( about 20000 financial capability ).
https://portail.polytechnique.edu/bachelor/en
Shouldn’t you have researched that before applying there?
Well, it came so fast and it seemed like a good school (obviously an excellent physics ranking). I wanted to apply, since it’s more affordable than US universities and provides financial aid also. Anyways, I just would like to hear from others about the school and the physics program.(whether it’s better than the US universities mentioned above)
Are you fluent in French? Are you familiar with the French system of education, having been educated in a British patterned system?
You should only worry about grad school in the US once you can be confident you will do well in your undergrad school.
Tagging @MYOS1634
Well, I am currently A2 level in the french DELF and if I decide to go to L’X , I will have time to reach the B2, so I will be good to go, but anyways, the bachelor is in English.
Well, I am not familiar with the French system but I think I will adapt quickly since I am already familiar with 2 systems (British and American), and self studied for a lot of tests (Sat2s and currently Further Mathematics ), so I don’t think I will really struggle. I am only worried about the reputation of the new program to the top US schools later on and whether it’s the best choice for pursuing theoretical and Astrophysics.
You need to acquire a basic level in French before you go, even though all the classes will be in English. The program is very intense and theoretical.
If you do well, yes you have excellent odds of getting into top Master’s programs in the US or elsewhere. You’d have top-notch instruction in theoretical physics and math.
Your interview with include 20 math questions of increasing difficulty, covering calculus 1-3, statistics, linear algebra, discrete math. There’s a link on the Bachelor’s/Admissions page where they explain what to expect.
However it’s very different from the universities you listed - there’s less emphasis on being well-rounded and less emphasis on a close knit community, it’s mostly lecture or lab (no discussion), no classes you can choose (all 1st years take the exact same courses, 12 hours of math, 3 hours each of chemistry, physics, biology, CS, then a smattering of foreign languages/English/French and whatever they feel like teaching you for humanities/social science, depending on the instructors available.)
Thanks so much for your response. Yea I know it’s very different than the US and that there is no emphasis in being well rounded. Actually one of the main drawback, form my point of view, in L’X is that I can’t minor except in another science (Chemistry or Bio) which really aren’t the best options for me.
I think I 'll just do my best in the interview and just wait and see.
You could also minor in Economics, although it’d be the very mathematical version of it (v. the more social sciency version of it in the US).
Do the interview and make your decision once you have more information.
@lukaINT : have you heard back from them?
Yep, about 2 days ago. A rejection unfortuantely. It was a bit of a surprise since the interview went pretty good. Not to be arrogant or anything,but I didn’t feel that the applicants were quite competitive as I suspected ( I joined a Facebook group with current students and applicants), so I thought my odds were high with my decent scores and that I come from an unrepresented country. It felt a bit bad, but a college rejection will never put an ending to my dreams or ambitions.
I actually sent them an email asking for feedback or remarks on my application, and didn’t yet recieve a response. I suspect that it’s the fact that they didn’t get any transcripts ( mock exams or class performance) from me, but this is ofcourse out of my control, since in my country, British patrerned schools don’t provide any transcripts except the IGCSE and A levels certificates, but I really don’t know how this affects the application ( I have friends who were in the same school and are studying in Harvard and UCL )
@lukaINT I have an interview next week. Can you give some advice? For example, what are the types of math questions they asked? How did the interview worked( are you allowed to use calculator during the interview? Is it requiered that the interviewer sees the paper you’re working on?) what does they mean by general science questions?
@lukaINT wish you have a good result in RD admission. I also have a interview on 3.29. I am currently taking a gap year and haven’t touched mathematics for couple of months. I am afraid that I need to take a review. Can you provide some information about the interview or can you remember some of the questions? Really thank you.
@akrem111 @OceanYu How did your interviews go? I am also very interested in the bachelor program and was wondering what my chances were. Thanks
@kiwi351 sorry for being late
I actually got accepted. If you want more info, join oir facebook group or pm me