Hi Peter, firstly congratulations on your IB Results and on getting into ETH (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule) Zürich. I hear it’s been called the MIT of Switzerland Europe.
Thank you very much.
What will you be studying there? Can you tell us a bit about what attracted you to this University?
I recently started my first semester at the department of mechanical engineering. This course encompasses courses such as Calculus, Machine Tools, Production Methods, Material Science, Linear Algebra and Technical Drawing/CAD. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich is renowned for its excellence in teaching and famous alumni including Albert Einstein. It is one of the few universities abroad that offers elite education for relatively low semester fees. What’s more is that Zurich and Switzerland in general offers a fantastic environment for students due to unrivalled recreational infrastructure. In addition, the extra-curricular offers are extremely wide-ranging – most notably the university sport club, which allows students in Zurich to train almost every sport imaginable (including mountain biking and trampoline).
I hear the entrance programme is quite rigorous. Could you talk us through what it was like for you?
While all students applying with the Swiss high school certificate are admitted to the university, applicants with international university entrance certificates face strict admission criteria. Students applying with the IB for example, need at least 38 points (excluding bonus points) as well as mathematics, physics and a language A at higher level. However, if any of these criteria are not fulfilled, there is still the chance of being admitted by sitting several comprehensive exams and receiving at least a passing grade. In fact, I was forced to take this route because I opted for German A at SL in the IB. This meant I had to organize a 10-day trip to Zurich only two-and-a-half weeks before the start of the semester. Admittedly, the exams were very challenging (75% of applicants failed) but in the end it all worked out. Probably the biggest struggle was revising all major biology (one of the test subjects) topics that I hadn’t dealt with in years.
What are some of the things, academic and otherwise, that you learned at LIS that prepared you for getting into a University with such high standard?
I realized that higher-tier universities want highly-motivated students with above-average academic potential. This means students rely on good teaching at their school. I am extremely thankful for the eye-opening and intriguing lessons LIS staff members gave me. Teachers like Mr. Tomasz Dindorf have contributed substantially to broadening my horizon and were always willing to help reflect on possible higher education pathways.
What are you nervous about?
Fellow students are daunted by the low pass rate of no more than 60% in the first-year exam. However, at this point in time I am most concerned about getting used to living on my own and adapting an efficient routine that allows for some study time besides household chores and the like.
What are you really excited about?
I look forward to upcoming lectures on subjects such as machine elements that introduce the theory behind the plethora of mechanical components an engineer can design and work with. On a different note, I can’t wait to explore the stunning landscapes of Switzerland and participate in various new sports like parkour.
Do you have any advice for other students who are aiming at a similar goal?
Those wishing to pursue a career in engineering should focus on building a solid foundation in maths and physics. Do you perceive an intrinsic motivation to learn i.e. thirst for knowledge? Be proactive in class and rather work ahead than fall behind! Identify interesting universities and check their requirements far in advance.
What do you imagine you will do when you are finished with your degree?
There is such a broad spectrum of employment opportunities for mechanical engineers which means that I have to yet to wait and find out which branch of engineering sparks my interest. Nevertheless, I can name aerospace and AI/robotics as current favourites.