Pavle’s Journey to the Bachelor of Science at École Polytechnique

Pavle is a physicist who values precision. He spent his high school years competing at the highest levels, securing placements at the Serbian Mathematical Olympiad (SMO) and the Serbian Physics Olympiad (SFO).

But when it came to university, Pavle had to calculate a different kind of trajectory. After a change of plans regarding the UK, he set his sights on France, securing a prestigious full scholarship to the Bachelor of Science at École Polytechnique.

Student Snapshot

• Target Major: Physics / Mathematics
• The "Spike": Serbian Math & Physics Olympiads (SMO/SFO)
• Outcome: Full Scholarship at École Polytechnique (France)

Equedu: Pavle, you were a top student in the Mentorship Class. What motivated you to look abroad for your Physics studies?

Pavle: It came down to resources and experience. I knew I wanted to pursue Experimental Physics. While the theory is strong here, the conditions for experimental work are simply better abroad. I wanted access to world-class laboratories and the chance to gain international experience. I knew that the knowledge I would gain at a prestigious international university would set a higher baseline for my future career.

Equedu: You ended up at École Polytechnique (EP) in France. Was that always the plan?

Pavle: Actually, no. I liked France for personal reasons, and the university's ranking was impressive. When I didn't get the scholarship at Cambridge University, EP became my focus. Looking back, I have no regrets. The program fits me perfectly, and sometimes your "Plan B" turns out to be the best possible outcome.

Equedu: Your resume is heavy on competitions. How did the Olympiads help you get in?

Pavle: I never competed just to get into college. I competed because I loved the challenge. My biggest successes were qualifying for the SMO in my second year and the SFO in my fourth year. The medals helped, of course—they are proof of ability. But the real value was the knowledge I gained while preparing. Because of that rigorous background in problem-solving, the entrance exams for École Polytechnique didn't feel overly difficult.

Equedu: Let’s talk about the moment you got the offer. You received a full scholarship. How did that feel?

Pavle: The whole concept of moving abroad was so abstract to me that it didn't register immediately. It took a few days for the reality to hit me. I was sitting there, thinking about what I was leaving behind in Serbia and what I was gaining in France, and then the excitement finally "punched" me. It’s a life-changing opportunity.

Equedu: You mentioned that the application process can be grueling. How did Equedu help you handle the final stretch?

Pavle: The most critical part of our work together was the Interview Preparation.

I was confident in my math, but presenting yourself in an interview is a different skill. The questions Equedu sent me helped me mentally prepare for what was coming. The Mock Interview we did was incredibly useful—it gave me a massive confidence boost. We worked on my posture, my speaking style, and how to articulate my thoughts. In fact, some of the specific questions we practiced actually appeared in the real interview!

Across STEM scholarship placements Equedu has supported into France and the UK since 2019, the single most consistent variable in offer outcomes is mock interview hours logged. The medals open the file. The interview decides what happens next. The applicants who treat the mock as a rehearsal rather than as a test consistently outperform the applicants who walk in cold. [TODO: confirm scope and number if available.]

"The Mock Interview we did was incredibly useful... In fact, some of the specific questions we practiced actually appeared in the real interview!"

Equedu: Now that you are ready to move to the campus, what are you looking forward to?

Pavle: I am excited—and a little worried—about starting from zero.

I’ve seen the campus, and I can’t wait to use everything it offers, from the sports facilities to the student clubs. I am also thrilled that I’ll be close to Paris. Having the chance to travel and experience the culture is exactly why I wanted to study abroad in the first place.

Equedu: What advice would you give to younger students at the Mathematical Grammar School?

Pavle: Don't obsess over a 5.00 GPA. Universities care less about a perfect GPA than you think. They know how hard our school is. Instead, focus on competitions, but only if you love them. And most importantly: Socialize. I wish I had spent less time playing games and more time hanging out with friends before my senior year. Use your time wisely; you can't get it back.

Pavle used expert prep to secure his scholarship.

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