Is École Polytechnique bachelor's worth it?
Hello. I am in my final year of school and im considering applying to the following universities:
Bocconi (BAI or BESS in that order)
École Polytechnique bachelor's
St Gallen (economics)
Rotterdam Erasmus (econometrics and operations research)
NUS (data science and economics)
University of Toronto (mathematical sciences)
I am non-EU. I dont speak French, Chinese, Dutch or German but I can take courses once am admitted to carry at least casual conversations, and should reach B2 to graduate for most of these universities anyway.
I am very interested in maths and not so much "traditional" finance. I'd love a field that will either use complex problem solving skills gained from a math (or STEM type) degree or direct mathematical skills. For the short term I am, like most, interested in front office roles at an investment bank for future job opportunities and experience.
For now I am a little lost in what exactly I want to do in the future (my interest is ecology or robotics related Investment firms), but I am definitely aligning with primarily finance or some tech roles.
I am also aware that french firms expect a masters from applicants, and I am afraid I won't be able to finance said masters (unless I find a job or sign a contract etc which is a process im not familiar with). Plus, I am a little afraid about GPA - I heard l'X does not use a curve for exams, and since most prestigious jobs or masters require a high GPA, this scares me a bit.
However, the l'X bachelor's is my favourite - the program itself, the clubs and other opportunities. I truly feel like its unmatched in that sense.
Could anyone give me some guidance? If anyone is familiar with the career prospects of these universities, the ROI and the overall experience, please let me know. I am okay with criticism or a hard slap back to reality.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, École Polytechnique's bachelor's program is highly regarded, especially in France and Europe, for its rigorous academic training and prestige. However, there are several factors to consider when evaluating its worth for your specific goals:
Strengths of École Polytechnique:
Challenges to Consider:
Comparison with Other Universities:
Recommendations:
Ultimately, École Polytechnique is an excellent choice if you are prepared to navigate the challenges, but other universities on your list might offer a more straightforward path to your goals.
Sources: Comprehensive guide of studies in France
French student in French semi-target here. Do not got to Polytechnique’s bachelor, it’s known to be full of international students who think they’re geniuses (insufferable) plus it’s held at contempt by X alumni and anyone who went the prepa route. Moreover, if you can’t speak French fluently already and grew up in a French environment, you won’t get integrated, it’s unfortunately just how the French are in these schools.
If you like STEM, it would be 100x better to go the EPFL route in Switzerland. Very international, very renowned, but also very challenging.
However, imo what you should focus on is what you’re looking to do in the future. Why do you want to do IB if your goal is to solve complex problems? Quant research will be 100x more interesting for you than aligning slides till 2AM.
If you’re committed to IB and want to study in Europe it’s much better to go to Bocconi and eventually a Masters in the UK (Oxbridge/LSE) than going to a bachelor in French that most professionals look at with contempt.
Just my 2 cents though
I would be interested in quant research however I feel like it is a much more competitive route and I am honestly just scared about failing to get into anywhere. Also, I was considering ETH and EPFL, however they do not offer fully english taught bachelor's, to my knowledge, + they require B2 french certificate.
I do think IB is not really for me, I just feel like prepping for the interviews etc would be less challenging than for quant roles, and honestly I am not sure how to break into quant research either as I heard it would require phd
Completely forgot that EPFL needed French, my bad on that.
Concerning Quant, it’s a bad idea to tell yourself that you’re choosing X because it’ll be less hard to prepare for than Y. IB’s technical questions are surely not the hardest thing ever, but due to the sheer number of applicants it’s getting extremely competitive. Hell, I’d argue that it least with quant, the process reliefs only on your technical ability so it’s fairer in a sense. It’s better to give yourself the resources to reach your goals than settling for something that doesn’t interest you at all.
When I was in high school I wanted to work in SWE for HFs, then I went to do a scientific prépa, realized that I wanted to see the broader picture and have more of a client relationship job, moved to finance and I love it now. Thing is you’re young, try stuff, see if you like it and if you don’t you can always do something else.
Imo your goal should be to aim for target STEM programs (Imperial/Warwick for EU, Waterloo/Toronto/McGill for CA/US). Unfortunately, France’s elite STEM Schools (X, ENS, CS, etc…) are only available through the prépa route, which you cannot go through if you don’t speak French fluently and have had a prior education in it. I don’t know much about Quant though so others might want to chime in concerning your question about the PhD requirement.
EPFL doesn't require French AFAIK - just a credible claim that you are B2 and you can do 80% of the bachelor and 100% of the master in English. And for the remaining 20%, well anyway maths is maths be it in English or French.
This is the correct advice
Bocconi BESS is a very solid programme in my opinion if you have a passion for economics. It prepares very well for further PhD studies in the field and send every year students to the top US schools.
HSG Economics quality of the programme is average. Quite outdated with a lot of papers to write. Professors not inspiring. 1st year is a bloodbath with 50% passing rate
Thank you for your response. I did not know that about HSG... quite sad honestly.
Their business administration bachelor is good tho. In any case brand value of Bocconi and HSG is similar. All doors remain open
Have you checked out TUM in Munich? Might be interesting considering the mix of engineering/robotics and math
Not yet but will do so. Thank you.
You likely won't find the job of your dreams right after the bachelor at l'X. But I'd still recommend doing it since it opens up masters all over. You're obligated to graduate with a minimum B2 in French I believe. You can always do a MiF after at hec, escp, lbs... Or something math heavy like m2mo, m203 or El karoui
That's what I was thinking of doing but Im not sure I'll be able to finance a masters at HEC, unless i go to something like paris saclay.
Would Bocconi give me better opportunities? I dont want to limit myself to just finance which is why I was very inclined towards l'X.
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