Korean, Edit

Why Did I Apply to Zurich?

Recommended Article : 【Studying Abroad】 2023 ETH Zurich, University of Zurich PhD Program in Switzerland

1. Why Europe?

2. Why Zurich?

3. Concerns about Applying to Zurich

4. My result

※ Life doesn’t give us many opportunities. That’s why we should make the most of every opportunity.

1. Why Europe?

⑴ Recent shift of academic focus towards Europe

① In the U.S., research is capital-driven, but lacks creativity.

② Europe is known for creative and progressive research.

③ Example 1: Spatial transcriptomics Visium was developed by a Swedish research team.

④ Example 2: The European Society of Nuclear Medicine is larger than the American Society of Nuclear Medicine.

⑵ Duration of degrees

① U.S. : Even with a Master’s degree, starting with an integrated Master’s and Ph.D. program takes longer (5-6 years).

② Europe : A Master’s degree is required to apply for a Ph.D. program, and the Ph.D. program is shorter (3-4 years).

2. Why Zurich?

⑴ LSZGS program at Zurich is almost the only option for applying in the first half of the year.

⑵ Unique advantages of Zurich

① Excellent living environment

② Many Nobel laureates

③ ETH Zurich Engineering is ranked within the global top 10, and University of Zurich is slightly higher than Seoul National University

④ Low tuition fees and high salary : As of 2023, Switzerland ($98,767, No. 4) has higher GDP per capita than the United States ($80,035, No. 7) (ref)

⑤ After Brexit, the UK is declining while the Switzerland-France-Germany region is rising centered around Basel

⑶ Prepares tension and resilience for the next round of applications in the latter half of the year.

3. Concerns about Applying to Zurich

⑴ LSZGS Annual Report 2020

① July 1, 2020 Application (Korean time) : All 4 applicants were rejected; some Koreans were admitted

② July 1, 2020 Application (Systems Biology) : Out of 58 applicants, 14 passed the document review, 5 passed the interview

③ December 1, 2019 Application (Systems Biology) : Out of 98 applicants, 18 passed the document review, 2 passed the interview

④ July 1, 2019 Application (Systems Biology) : Out of 47 applicants, 13 passed the document review, 3 passed the interview

⑤ December 1, 2018 Application (Systems Biology) : Out of 62 applicants, 14 passed the document review, 2 passed the interview

⑥ July 1, 2018 Application (Systems Biology) : Out of 46 applicants, 13 passed the document review, 4 passed the interview

⑦ December 1, 2017 Application (Systems Biology) : Out of 60 applicants, 11 passed the document review, 8 passed the interview

⑧ Summary : The acceptance rate of the LSZGS program is only 5%, and there were rounds where all 4 Korean applicants were rejected.

⑵ LSZGS Application Process

① Step 1. submit application ( e.g. , ~01.07.2023)

② Step 2. wait for review ( e.g. , ~31.07.2023)

③ Step 3. select positions ( e.g. , ~08.08.2023)

④ Step 4. wait for schedule ( e.g. , ~01.09.2023)

⑤ Step 5. pass the virtual admission interview & go to (virtual) lab visits (e.g. , 01.09.2023 ~ 09.09.2023)

⑥ Step 6. select labs you want to visit in person ( e.g. , 05.09.2023 ~12.09.2023)

⑦ Step 7. go to (in person) lab visits ( e.g. , ~27.10.2023)

⑧ Step 8. create your final position-wishlist ( e.g. , ~31.10.2023)

⑨ Step 9. accept or decline potential job offer

⑶ When can you apply (July 1) to LSZGS and withdraw?

① Withdrawal before document review results : Reapplication is possible in December.

② Withdrawal before interview after document review results : Reapplication is possible in December.

③ Withdrawal after interview : Reapplication is not possible in December.

④ Withdrawal after acceptance : Reapplication is not possible in December.

⑤ Withdrawal after registration : Reapplication is not possible in December. Withdrawal is possible until March 15 of the following year.

⑷ If admitted to LSZGS, will I apply to the U.S.?

① Even if admitted to LSZGS, I am likely to apply to the U.S. again.

② Reason 1. A written oath submitted to KFAS.

③ Reason 2. Some U.S. graduate schools surely exceed LSZGS programs.

⑸ Why do I consider the LSZGS program application in July instead of December?

① Benefits of applying in July

○ Strengthening the momentum for the second-half admission preparation

○ (Both quantitatively and psychologically) easing the burden of second-half admissions

○ The application competitiveness in December is approximately 1.5 times that of July

○ Technological advancements are accelerating, making it recommended to pursue a doctoral degree as early as possible

○ My English scores are decreasing, so it’s necessary to finish the admissions process while English scores are still valid

② Benefits of applying in December

○ Can reapply in December to align with U.S. admissions timing

○ LSZGS program appears to have moved up to November 2023, not December 2023.

③ Final Decision : Do not withdraw before the interview after LSZGS July application and try to get an acceptance.

⑹ If not admitted to LSZGS, what will you do?

① Option 1. U.S. application portal opens as early as August, so prepare around 10 ~ 20 U.S. applications in advance (adopted)

② Option 2. Some European Ph.D. programs accept applications until October 1 (e.g., Max Planck Institute)

③ Option 3. Some UK Ph.D. programs are conducted on a rolling basis and require early applications

④ Option 4. Some U.S. Ph.D. programs accept applications until November 1 (e.g., MD-PhD program especially)

⑤ Option 5. Apply for ETH Zurich Engineering’s continuous hiring process (adopted)

○ Reason 1. Applying to two programs is safer than applying to only one if you want to get into ETH.

○ Reason 2. Can make a positive appeal to the first-choice professor during the waiting process or when the matching result is announced.

⑺ Will you target University of Zurich or ETH Zurich Engineering?

① Area of interest : Spatial Bioinformatics

② Based on the priority set for the area of interest, will target both University of Zurich and ETH Zurich Engineering

③ Final decision : LSZGS (23.07.17), ETH Zurich × Roche (23.07.29)

○ LSZGS did not have a structure where it was possible to select ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, separately.

⑻ If admitted to LSZGS, what about scholarships?

① 2023 Admission Plans

○ If admitted to ETH Zurich or University of Zurich : Before the issuance of the Swiss visa, whether I get accepted into a graduate school in the US that is at least as reputable as UCLA is a critical point

○ If not admitted to any : I will apply to around 10 ~ 20 U.S. graduate schools.

② If admitted to Zurich / Zurich Engineering, submit renunciation to Higher Education Foundation and apply for one or more of the following scholarships

○ Asan Scholarship (~ 23.10.2x, ~24.10.2x)

○ Gwanjeong Scholarship (~ 24.04.2x)

○ Ilju Scholarship (~ 24.04.2x)

○ Yongwoon Scholarship (~ 24.05.3x)

○ Mokam Science Scholarship Overseas Scholar (~ 24.09.2x)

⑼ Appendix: ETH Zurich (`4) ＜ Stanford (`6)

Table 1. Zurich Technical University vs Stanford

⑽ Appendix: ETH Zurich (`7) ＞ UCLA (`4)

Table 2. Zurich Technical University vs UCLA

4. My Result

⑴ Among the three interview offers, failed 1, abandoned 1, and infinite waiting 1.

⑵ Benefits of application : Understanding technology trends, practice for overseas grad amission, and increased motivation to apply.

Input : 2023.05.03 16:48

Modified : 2023.08.08 20:36