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Best universities in France 2017Find the best universities in France through Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings dataSeptember 21 2016Paris Eiffel TowerIf you’re hoping to study in France, you’ll want to know which universities are the best.So what are the top French universities and colleges? According to Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2016-2017, 27 French institutions are counted among the top universities in the world.The ranking includes 10 institutions in Paris – making up more than a third of the best universities in France – and other options scattered around the country.Resources: study in Europe– Europe’s best universities – Where can you get value for money to study in Europe? – Find out which universities in France teach in EnglishUniversities in Paris take the top four spots, but institutions in Lyon, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Marseilles and Bordeaux also feature in the top 10.The best university in France is École Normale Supérieure, one of the country’s most elite institutions and part of the grandes écoles system that admits only high-achieving students, in contrast to France’s other public universities that are open to all who have a high school diploma.Outside Paris, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, also one of the grandes écoles, is in joint fifth position.Read more:– Read the experience of a British student at École Normale Supérieure de Lyon – The world’s best small universities – Best universities for employability – See the top universities in CanadaTop 4 universities in FranceScroll down to view the full table of the best universities in France1. École Normale SupérieureAdmissions to École Normale Supérieure (ENS) are extremely selective, comprising written and oral exams beyond the national baccalaureate. Candidates are expected to excel in research, science, arts, culture and humanities.Graduates go on to secure top jobs in government, academia and culture. Among their number are 13 Nobel laureates, 10 Fields Medallists, several prime ministers and philosophers.The roots of École Normale Supérieure can be traced back to the post-revolutionary National Convention in 1794 and the first course was designed to train secondary school teachers to ensure a consistent national education. But in its current form, École Normale Supérieure was founded in the 19th century and moved to its current site in 1847.Only 200 students – known as normaliens – are recruited each year, half in science programmes and half in humanities. Students receive a monthly salary of about €1,300 (£1,114) in return for 10 years of service in the public sector on graduation.International students are welcomed into postgraduate programmes and often receive a scholarship. Foreign students from European Union countries are also treated as civil servants in training, like their French counterparts.ENS has a sister school in Italy – Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa – and up to half a cohort at each university can undertake an exchange each year. There are also research partnerships with elite institutions around the world, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, McGill University and Harvard University.– The positives and negatives of studying in France at École Normale Supérieure2. École PolytechniqueWith a history stretching back as far as that of École Normale Supérieure, École Polytechnique is just as prestigious but focuses specifically on science and technology. The motto of the school is “For the Homeland, Science and Glory”.There are fewer than 3,000 students at the university, which is based in the small Parisian suburb of Palaiseau, just over 10 miles from the centre of Paris.Despite the small intake each year, about 30 per cent of the student body is international, with one Spanish student explaining that international students get special attention and preparatory programmes.École Polytechnique offers an interdisciplinary approach, providing a curriculum that combines undergraduate teaching with graduate research across a broad range of topics and specialisms.In addition to six different topics within science and engineering, undergraduates are also required to take a humanities subject and sports.Undergraduate admission requires two years of preparation during high school before a week of written exams and then an oral examination.French nationals are obliged to do eight months of military service in their first year, since the university is officially still run by the Ministry of Defence.– Read what it is like to study at École Polytechnique from a current student3. Pierre and Marie Curie UniversityLike Paris-Sud University and Paris Diderot University, also in the top five, Pierre and Marie Curie University (UPMC) was established after the division of the University of Paris in 1970.It is the largest scientific and medical complex in the country, with about 30,000 full-time students around the university’s Jussieu campus in the Latin Quarter of Paris.The university has eight main teaching hospitals and is also well known for excellence in mathematics.A number of affiliates of the university have won Nobel prizes for physics, chemistry and medicine since Pierre Curie and Marie Curie won in 1903.There are 120 different research laboratories across modelling and engineering; living earth and environment; energy, matter and the universe; and life and health. More than 5,000 researchers and professors work in these four divisions.About 20 per cent of the students are international. In total, there are 3,000 doctoral candidates across 16 doctoral schools.4. Paris-Sud UniversityAnother large university, Paris-Sud University has just under 30,000 students across its campuses in the southern Parisian suburbs.The university, and particularly its Orsay Centre, is noted for its contributions to physics and chemistry research. It is home to some of the most elite laboratories in France, in research fields including nuclear physics, astrophysics, atomic physics, nanoscience and particle physics.Two Nobel prizes and four Fields Medals have been awarded to affiliates of the university. A number of other leading academics and business people are graduates, including Bertrand Serlet, the former senior vice-president of software engineering at Apple.There are 4,800 international students at [!Paris-Sud University!] hailing from 125 different countries.

All people are talking about harvard, stanford and other universities. Some courses attendance is mandatory because you get grades when you attend ( yes this is a lot going on in these “universities”)I see all universities in the US as having quite low standards in education than those in the EU, except for certain universities STEM and medical departments. In the US you get things like i mentioned in my first paragraph. In the EU you don’t have this nonsense. Come to class or don’t but remember there will be repercussions ( especially when you are in a class with only 20 students, the prof will know your face). yes we in the EU universities give papers (depending on the courses of course) which will have some form of grade attached but mostly the students have to test their merit in the exam arena ( be it oral or written exam, most of the time its both).As for attendance problems in Harvard i have to say this: If you paid 55000+ subscription fees and another 1000–5000 for books and you cant be bothered to go to class, WTF are you doing then at university?! You do not belong there and you should make room for actual students not the elite people who just got in because their parents are the elite.I will conclude with a nice small anecdote. I remember a serie from national geographic were PhD students in archaeology from Stanford and Harvard were being “interned” at dr Zahi Hawass and how they did. I was so appalled with their behavior, lack of respect ( you are in Egypt after all and you do not do disrespectful stuff); typical rich kid complex stuff. In the end a British student got thrown in fro Oxford university and she was way more mature and respectful than any of the 6 losers from Harvard and Stanford. That is how I see students from the US: highly opinionated ( without producing any facts to give their “opinions” any substance) lack of respect for other culture and customs, a generally superiority complex that is bigger than the world itself ( and if you point out their fallacies “you” are the bad one). Is this a gross generalization of US students? Maybe but it is apt

Q. Do medical schools take into consideration your institution while looking at your undergraduate GPA? Will going to a grade-deflated school hurt my chances of getting into medical school?A. In general, medical school acceptance hinges on how high your MCAT score and undergraduate GPA are. High GPA is valued, regardless of your school or your major. Passing the first hurdle, other qualities make a difference of your gaining admission into a top tier medical school.If your GPA is in the lower range, allowance is made for the prestige of your undergraduate institution, the challenge of your major and whether there is known grade “deflation.” Even Princeton University reversed course. In 2014, the university made the decision to end grade deflation which had hindered the prospect of many graduates in past years.What can you do if you happen to be an engineering major in a school with serious grade deflation? Score extremely well on the MCAT!What is different about medical school admission compared to law school, business school and undergraduate admissions?Medical school ranking matters little in the medical field. US News Rankings do not make or break a school’s reputation. There is no consensus as to the actual order of the top schools. There is vague reputation as being the top 25, but no order. Schools do not have to worry about having the highest GPA, highest MCAT, lowest acceptance rate, highest yield so that the rank moves up a few notches. There is not even a recognized ranking of top schools. There is a ranking of schools with the highest NIH research funding, and a ranking of best schools in primary care. Both lists matter little in the opinion of those in medicine.Does the reputation of the medical schools matter in the career of graduates, like in law where graduates from Yale or Harvard dominate court clerkships and the Supreme Court bench? Medicine is a bit more complicated. The goal of every physician is to become board certified in a specialty of his/her own choosing. Schools are not strong across all disciplines. The Department of Surgery may be top tier, but the Department of Medicine may not be. The Department of Anesthesiology may be on probation, in part because of the supremacy of the Department of Surgery, causing difficulty in recruiting top quality Anesthesiology Staff. And even in the Department of Surgery, the Division of Plastic Surgery may be top tier, but the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery may not be. The loss of several stars in a Division may change the fortune of that Division overnight.How do you pick the right school that has a top tier residency program in your chosen medical specialty when only 20–40% of students actually specialize in the specialty that made them want to become a physician in the first place?Does attending a less renowned medical school affect your career? The equalizing factors are successes on the USMLE exams and class rank (or membership in Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, medicine’s equivalent of Law Review). With those credentials, a graduate of any medical school can enter any coveted specialty (currently Dermatology, Orthopedic Surgery, ENT etc.) Graduates of prestigious medical schools do dominate matching into the top tier residency programs in the top medical specialties upon review of recent match cycles. Pedigree does matter if you choose an academic career, where attending the best residency program, the best fellowship program and the connections lead to faculty appointments at prestigious institutions. Successes then may lead to leadership at institution, national and international levels in medical and specialty organizations.Back to the question of acceptance into any medical school, the process is “holistic”. The following are what medical college admission committees look for in candidates. First article is from the American Association of Medical Colleges. The second from the University of Minnesota. At the end is a short Kaplan discussion regarding GPA and MCAT in the application process.How Medical Schools Review Applications (AAMC)What are admissions officers looking for?While expectations, missions, policies, and requirements are unique to each medical school, many schools look for students who demonstrate an ability to handle challenging coursework and have the personal attributes needed to work with people. It’s important for applicants to show that they’ve done well in upper-level science courses, and “doing well on the MCAT® exam shows that you can handle medical school coursework,” says Irene Tise, admissions officer in the Office of Medical Student Admissions at Wake Forest School of Medicine.Lori Nicolaysen, assistant dean of admissions at Weill Cornell Medical College, adds that they “seek students who have also demonstrated exceptional personal initiative. Such initiative may take the form of leadership, creativity, research, community service, motivation, or other life experiences.”Mickey Foxwell, M.D., associate dean for admissions at University of Maryland School of Medicine says, “Each applicant needs to be as sure as possible that this is what they want to do with their life. That motivation can be demonstrated through academic achievement and also through exposure to clinical medicine and community service. Does the applicant know what it’s like to take care of someone? Does the applicant have an idea about the advantages and disadvantages of a career in medicine?”Schools also look for evidence that an applicant has demonstrated good judgment, compassion, and selflessness— qualities every physician should embody. Applicants can show evidence through their involvement in extracurricular activities, letters of evaluation, and their personal statement.What happens when my application is received?Each medical school has its own nuanced process for reviewing applications. For example, “Weill Cornell invites all applicants to complete the secondary application,” Ms. Nicolaysen shares. “Once the file is complete (including secondary application, letters of evaluation, and MCAT scores), the application is moved to screening. A number of experienced admissions committee members serve as screeners. Although Weill Cornell has fourth-year medical students on the admissions committee, the students do not screen applications.”Dr. Raquel D. Arias, associate dean of admissions at Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, explains, “In order to give every candidate a fair review of their personal qualities and accomplishments, a single screener evaluates all candidates with a particular MCAT score at our school. This controls for the inevitable influence that this important test has on the process. An admissions officer reads every application submitted to the school.” (There is no automated filter.)At Wake Forest School of Medicine, Ms. Tise explains, “Because of the large number of applications we receive, we use a formula that separates and groups applicants based on their AMCAS® primary application. The groups are: 1) Proceed and send a secondary application, (2) Hold for MCAT score or other extenuating circumstances and notify candidates, and (3) Risk, based on academics.Those candidates in the “risk” category are reviewed individually by the associate dean and an executive committee of five faculty and admissions committee members. From there, a decision is made to either proceed with the application process or reject the application.” Typically, after secondary applications are submitted, the associate dean and a committee review the applications and place candidates into interview pools. Because of the large number of applicants, only a small percentage is asked to interview.How do reviewers decide whom to interview?Medical schools consider each applicant’s academic proficiency, whether they are likely to thrive in the culture of the institution, and if their experiences, attributes, and goals are in line with the school’s mission and goals. Inevitably, medical schools receive many more qualified applicants than they can interview and matriculate. The decision to interview one student over another can be very difficult to say the least.“It is incredibly challenging because there are so many admirable candidates,” Ms. Nicolaysen explains. “Ultimately, the committee screeners attempt to identify the best qualified applicants from diverse academic and personal backgrounds whom we deem most likely to build a dynamic learning environment at Weill Cornell and to become leaders in medicine.”Dr. Foxwell adds, “At University of Maryland, outstanding grades and MCAT scores do not guarantee that an applicant will be invited to interview. Just as important are extracurricular activities and life experiences, essays and personal comments in AMCAS, and letters of recommendation.”Dr. Arias says, “The path to becoming a physician is unique to each applicant; therefore, we do not mandate any particular course of study. We have no preference for a particular major (or minor). Evidence of the personal attributes of integrity, adaptability, language skills, collaboration, and a commitment to service are evaluated with an eye toward the development of physician scientists. We infer the desired applicant qualities from both the content of the application and the care with which it is delivered. Every aspect of the application is important. Applicants who speak in their own voice, without “spin,” is especially valued.”Additionally, some public medical schools also may consider an out-of-state applicant’s ties to the state or institution if non-state residents are not typically considered for matriculation. (For more information, check with individual medical school websites or consult the AAMC's Medical School Admission Requirements.)What are some common mistakes applicants make?The same tips you might have received for undergraduate or job applications hold true for medical school applications. Always tell the truth and be sure to mention activities and volunteer, research, or work experiences that are most important, and if possible, occurred within the last few years. “Take your AMCAS essay questions seriously,” counsels Ms. Tise. “These essays are not creative writing exercises. You may start off with a descriptive experience, but, move quickly into how and why you want to become a physician and how this experience helped determine that. Also, proofread carefully. There are no excuses for punctuation and grammatical errors. We know you are applying to several schools, but be careful to include the correct name in secondary materials.“Redundant information is a waste of space. Inconsistencies can call an applicant’s authenticity into question,” cautions Ms. Nicolaysen. “We advise not including high school activities or activities in which your participation was minimal. Also, try to avoid boasting or exaggerating.”Dr. Foxwell advises that “Applicants must begin to think like professionals. If a photograph is requested in a secondary application, make it a good one, not one that may call your professionalism into question.”What advice does the review committee have?“Do your homework. Know what schools are looking for, and work closely with your advisor,” cautions Dr. Foxwell.Your application needs to be complete and truthful. When it comes to your personal statement, Ms. Tise recommends, “There is no secret checklist or formula. Remember, you are the applicant, and we want to know why you think you are a good one.”Furthermore, Ms. Nicolaysen advises applicants, “Before submitting your application, ask some trusted mentors, friends, or family members to give you feedback about your experiences and essays. You might ask them questions like, ‘How would you describe me based on what you read? Did my essay hold your attention? Was anything confusing? Did you notice any typos?’”Most importantly, relax. Most applicants have one or two items that they wish they’d changed or perhaps a mistake they think they might have made. If you have further concerns or anxiety over the application process, check out the Aspiring Docs fact sheet on helpful tips for dealing with application anxiety.Essential and Desired Qualities of medical school candidates:Strong academicsHigh GPA and MCAT scores. See AAMC MCAT site for students.A commitment to improving the human conditionEssential:Sustained and meaningful commitment to human service demonstrated through volunteer activities, scholarly pursuits, employment, academic endeavors, or other experiencesUnderstanding of medicineSubstantial independent research experience(s) (MD/PhD applicants)Desired:Commitment to care of the underservedCommitment to community and global patient careProfessional conductHonesty and integrity, particularly regarding instances of personal failings or mistakes (essential)Compassion, evident through evaluations, prior employment, or experience in other roles that require compassion (essential)Self-awareness, evident in a student’s knowledge of their own strengths, weaknesses, and when to ask for help (essential)Ethical behavior (essential)Outstanding interpersonal skillsOral and written communication skills must be excellent, both to share knowledge and to convey empathy (essential)Teamwork skills require acknowledging other team members’ expertise, accurate self-assessment, assuming leadership when appropriate, and subsuming individual interests to the work of the team (essential)Cultural humility and inclusivity (essential)Leadership & diversity experiences (desired)A dedication to lifelong learningIntellectual curiosity (essential)Demonstrated scientific aptitude—a fundamental appreciation of how the scientific method is applied to the discovery of medical knowledge and to medical practice (essential)Potential for academic success (essential)Psychological resilience as demonstrated through emotional stability, skills to cope with stress, an ability to deal with sacrifice and hardship, maturity, good judgment, and an ability to defer gratification (essential)Creativity (desired)What’s the Average GPA for Medical School | Kaplan Test PrepNOVEMBER 30, 2016EMILY HAUSEAdmissions officials receive three different GPAs when reviewing applicants.A previous version of this article was originally published by Alex MacNow.While we’ve tackled the topic of medical school admissions by the numbers in the past, we turn our attention today to the average GPA for medical school. It’s stressful to think that a few bad grades in your undergraduate career can impact your chances of getting into medical school; however, it’s important to know that a low GPA can be overcome.Remember, the AAMC keeps GPA information public through their FACTS tables. In addition to what we’ve covered here, there is a lot more information you can glean from these resources. In the world of medical school admissions, knowledge is power!Breaking down the average GPA for medical schoolMedical schools are actually given three GPAs when they look at your application. Your science and math courses are considered according to what is called the BPCM (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Math) GPA, and your non-science courses (humanities, social sciences, language, etc.) are considered as a separate GPA. The third GPA that schools see is the overall aggregate.While each medical school has its own average GPA for the incoming class (information for MD programs can be easily found in the Medical School Admission Requirements guidebook), the national averages for 2015–2016 were as follows:BPCM GPA: applicants 3.45, matriculants 3.64Non-science GPA: applicants 3.68, matriculants 3.77Overall GPA: applicants 3.55, matriculants 3.70What can I do if I have a below average GPA?Unlike the MCAT, for which many of you still have a clean slate, GPA is set during your college career. So what can you do if you’re applying and your GPA isn’t quite in the range above?1. Explain the GPA tactfullyYou have the opportunity to bring up any blips in your GPA on both the primary application (as part of the Personal Statement) and your secondary applications (in one of the essays or as an addendum to the application). Some secondary applicationseven provide a space for pieces of your application that you’d like to explain.When talking about a problem in your GPA, explain the reason behind the drop, but don’t make excuses! Medical schools want mature applicants who can take ownership of the problem, and—perhaps more importantly—can explain how it served as a learning experience. Did getting a not-so-great grade in Organic Chemistry I teach you how to study better, utilize office hours, or find new ways to learn so that you knocked Organic Chemistry II out of the park? These skills will help you become a better medical student. Explain that to the medical schools.2. Become an MCAT rockstarAccording to Kaplan’s latest medical school admissions officer survey, two of the most important factors in admission are the GPA and MCAT score. Thus, falling below the average GPA for medical school matriculants can be significantly abated with a stellar MCAT score. Prepare wisely and work towards your target MCAT score.3. Retake courses or consider post-bacc workThere are a number of post-baccalaureate programs in the country that can be optimal for a student who needs to boost their GPA (especially the BPCM GPA). Masters and post-bacc programs may also afford you opportunities to become involved in research or shadowing, thus helping your application portfolio that much more.