Hello, I'm 19F from the US. I expect my french level to be at least B2 by next January. :P
I'm in a predicament rn. I want to do my masters @ EPFL, but I also want to go there as possible. The problem is, I heard it's hard to graduate from bachelors, but if I do then I'll have a higher chance of being admitted into masters.
One of the main reasons besides academic is personal, I want to get there as soon as possible is because I know someone currently there and want to continue my relationship with him. I met a few other PhD students and got to visit recently, and it seems like the ideal place for me to study as well.
Should I try for the entrance exam next January and try for admission to bachelors? I am currently studying for it, but was wondering if anyone else was also in this predicament and would like to form a study group, or if anyone has experience passing and/or taking it.
“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”
As part of the application process you will need to provide a language competence certificate.
Also admission could depend on what you want to study here. Medicine, Veterinary and Dentistry will not be possible due to the restrictions in place for applicants to those fields.
To be brutally honest, prioritise what you need to get into the uni and don’t let any relationships influence your decisions. If you need longer to get the qualifications needed then do so. Any relationship that can’t stand a bit of long distance back and forth isn’t worth pursuing.
The main reason I want to go there is the university itself. It's bachelors and masters programs are some of the best in the world for Computer Science and the curriculum is way better than the universities here. Plus, the school culture seems fitting for me. I don't mind waiting longer to finish bachelors, I just don't like my chances of getting into masters from where I'm at right now.
I'm studying for the entrance exam and my main concern is the format. I have no problem understanding the French and the material isn't too hard for me to grasp, but for the answers themselves I have no idea how it's graded or how they would like me to write it out.
If anyone here knows how exams work, it would be much appreciated! Otherwise, I'll do more research and ask my Swiss friends how they took exams.
Thanks for the advice, above all I try to prioritize my own needs first though.
One thing is sure, language requirements are stronger for bachelor when compared to masters/PhD.
I don't know if computer science is a special case where lots of people want to get in and fail. I only know about admission to natural sciences programs (physics, geology, biology) and getting accepted into masters requires nothing special beyond having a bachelors title and having funds to get the student visa. Most of times, program directors and professors have troubles finding enough students.
I heard that around 50% of first years fail and EPFL's masters program for computer science has a 4% acceptance rate, with you have to have at least 2 years of research and something to make you stand out in order to have a chance. Also, people who work with an EPFL professor are more likely to get in. I heard bahelor's classes are taught in Engish if at least 1 person tells the professor they have trouble understanding French to full fluency though, and from a couple students, the ones that end up failing are those who aren't willing to put in the effort to study, those with no previous coding experience, and those with no real interest or proclivity towards coding.
I'd be very skeptical about that one. My son is at UniB doing CS and they had one professor from the French speaking part of the country who's German was difficult to understand so he offered to speak English instead... one student objected as the bachelors degree was advertised to be in German, the Kanton was German speaking and most important the tax payer was paying for it. So they had no choice but to continue in German.
I visited EPFL recently to see a friend who studies and TAs an intro CS class there and that's what he told me at least. However, I do understand the importance of knowing French still.
Count on C1, to be completely honest. That TA does all to have you make the move, maybe...but we work with somebody really bright and local who couldn't keep up with the first term of the EPFL. It is one of the best and toughest places in the world. I doubt you'll have it as easy as the TA says you could. Come here for Masters, much better for you.
I’d recommend getting your Bachelors in the US and perhaps consider double-majoring in French (or at least minor) and get to UniL or EPFL on a study abroad for a semester or two. When you’re done with your Bachelors in the US you’ll have a much better level of French, a better idea of where you want your life to go and you might have an easier time getting in for a masters than for a bachelors at EPFL. The bachelor programs tend to be very intense and cut out a lot of people. It would be sad for you to come all this way and then to be cut out. It doesn’t work like in the US—my understanding is that once you’re out, you’re out and would have to start completely over in a different program or at a different school.
Thanks, I think I'll finish my bachelors here but try to find a study abroad at EPFL. I'm still studying for the entrance exam though, just in case though.