Pavle: From the Serbian Physics Olympiad to a full scholarship at École Polytechnique

Pavle spent high school in competition math and physics. He placed at the Serbian Mathematical Olympiad (SMO) and the Serbian Physics Olympiad (SFO).

When the UK plan changed, he turned to France. He won a full scholarship to the Bachelor of Science at École Polytechnique.

Student Snapshot

• Target: Physics / Mathematics
• Spike: Serbian Math and Physics Olympiads (SMO/SFO)
• Outcome: Full scholarship, École Polytechnique (France)

Equedu: You were a top student in the Mentorship Class. Why study Physics abroad?

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 the best 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: Was École Polytechnique (EP) 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 record is heavy on competitions. How much did the Olympiads help?

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: How did the full scholarship offer 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: How did Equedu help in 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!

The medals open the file. The interview decides what happens next. The STEM scholarship applicants Equedu sees do best when they treat the mock interview as a rehearsal, not a test. The ones who walk in cold do worse.

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

Equedu: You are about to move to 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 would you tell 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.