Hello,
I’ve done some searching of these forums, reddit, and google and haven’t found many posts that people have answered with a situation similar to mine so here goes... I am considering applying to ETH Zurich for an MSc in Statistics in 1 year and I would like some guidance on how I should prepare and what my chances are of being accepted. Specifically, given my situation do you think I have a shot at being accepted and what sort of things can I do to strengthen my application before December 2014? Some information about me:
1) 26 year old US citizen
2) BSc in Finance with a minor in Economics from a decent but not very well known US university, 3.00/4.00 GPA.
3) Currently employed as a quantitative research analyst in the financial services industry. I use statistics regularly at work.
4) From the ETH website admission requirements for the statistics program, I am missing Linear Algebra and Computer Science from my academic background. However, I have picked up a lot of this stuff at work or from studying on my own.
5) I do not speak any German, but am very willing to learn.
My current plan is to take some online classes through a university in the subject matter I am missing and possibly taking the quantitative GRE in addition to the standard GRE (because my degree is not from the Bologna system). Ideally, I would like to be accepted with the ability to take the classes missing from my academic background at ETH Zurich.
Thanks for your time!
Eww Stats! I did a qualitative dissertation purely just to avoid stats!
Wuss!!! Statistics are excellent tools for telling a story. ;-)
To the OP, I don't know the answers to your questions, but I'd contact the statistics department directly. They should give you some further insights on their requirements.
Lots of graduate programs are in English.
If you don't speak any german, don't think about it.
All classes at the ETH be held in german, how will you follow ?
This person has done their homework. You do not need to know German to get a Masters in Stats at ETH, it says so quite emphatically on the website.
And OP: just apply. It couldn't hurt, although it would be a very long painstaking process, I'd be willing to wager. You need to make sure you have enough savings or a fellowship or some sort of financial support. I am not sure if you can take Linear Algebra or CS in English here, however. Masters courses are in general in English, but many Bachelor level courses are not.
You can find more info on studying in Switzerland here:
http://www.crus.ch/information-progr…rland.html?L=2
Are you more interested in econometrics than statistics? Check both out.
Both courses (or at least the exams) should almost definitely be offered in English at some point each year, due to the fact that most exchange students can't speak German
The english-speaking courses might not be open to all 'normal' bachelors students as it would require a lot of admin, however if you are accepted and need to take the courses, it shouldn't be a problem doing so in English.
Can't prove it though.
Is this thread asking the chance of being admitted to a statistics course?
What made you consider ETH (versus a US school)? Just wondering -- I'm looking into studying in CH post-BA as well.
Do you know what languages the application is offered in?
My friend was in similar situation (BSc in Finance awarded Dean list) from a Times top 100 school. He had no work experience, applied for MSc Statistics 2 years ago, got rejected. It seems ETH don't prefer people transfer from Business (relatively soft) to Hard Science, so......Good luck! (but give a try, maybe your experience helps)