Regarding Deferring admission into ETH.

[Mekonnen Tafari]

Hi,

I got an admission into the MSc. programme for Robotics Systems and Control at ETH for this fall.

However, I don't think I would be attending.

I had previously overestimated the chances of getting a scholarship --  and I can't meet the financial requirement (CHF21,000) for taking up residence in Zurich.

I have searched the website extensively and there doesn't seem to be any information on deferring an admission

A reply from an email I sent to the international student support seems to suggest that this is not possible. (I was told to just apply for the following year)

The thing is, I don't want to throw away the offer.

I'm not sure that I will be able to get the admission if I apply next year.

Also, I no longer live in my country of origin and getting the required documents for the admission application would be very difficult.

I have a plan, however, I don't know how feasible it is.

I now live in the schengen area, this affords me the opportunity to go to the other member states for a short period of time, within a 6 months time frame.

My plan is to go in September and do the necessary registration/matriculation procedure and then be absent till next year when I hopefully have enough funds to take up residence in Zurich

I make a few assumptions in my plan.

1. It's possible to remain a student without attending lectures for extended periods (1 year in my case).

2. I will be able to complete the degree in the remaining 4 semesters. The admission gives me 6 semesters to complete the degree, I read that students typically use just 3 semesters.

I had checked with International Student Support and I've been told that being resident in Zurich is not a condition for studentship.

I would like to know what your thoughts are about this situation and what other alternatives you think might exist.

Also, I received an email about housing reservation. I had previously applied and I think the deadline for confirmation is today? Given my current situation, do I just let that go too? How easy is it to get housing in Zurich without using the help provided for new students by the admissions office?

[Imran Fanaswala]

Hi Mekonnen

* Yes, I believe it is possible to remain a student without attending
lectures. In fact, on the online system, instead of "Registering" for
a semester you simply take a "Leave of Absence". However, keep in mind
that you Swiss Residency permit requires you to not be outside
switzerland for more than 6 months. In other words, if you plan to be
away for a year, you will need to make a namesake visit to Zurich once
in the middle.

* Housing in Zurich is tough. Its quite hard to remotely get housing
because many places require in-person "interviews". Your best bet is
to register to as many online social groups (ncluding Facebook) and
keep an eye out for offerings... then try to negotiate something via
email. Even if the students/roommates choose you (whether they meet
you in person or not), you still need to finalize everything
officially with the landlord -- and that depends from case to case.
For example, my landlord spoke English so I could do everything
online... but some old landlords can barely use the computer.

* Being able to complete the degree in time is completely up to you. I
can't comment on your chosen major.

Good luck!

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[Mekonnen Tafari]

On Monday, July 21, 2014 2:10:18 PM UTC+2, ImranAF wrote:

Hi Mekonnen

* Yes, I believe it is possible to remain a student without attending
lectures. In fact, on the online system, instead of "Registering" for
a semester you simply take a "Leave of Absence". However, keep in mind
that you Swiss Residency permit requires you to not be outside
switzerland for more than 6 months. In other words, if you plan to be
away for a year, you will need to make a namesake visit to Zurich once
in the middle.

I'm not sure I get this. In fact I do not have a Swiss Residency permit and I don't plan to get one till next year

This is my main issue, that I won't be able to take up residency in Zurich this year.

[Mekonnen Tafari]

Thanks for your reply!
Please see my comment above.

On Monday, July 21, 2014 2:10:18 PM UTC+2, ImranAF wrote:

[Imran Fanaswala]

Zurich will issue you a visa which you need to "convert" into a
Residency Permit within 2 weeks of your arrival here. To get a
Residency Permit (or renew an existing permit), Zurich requires you to
provide a "Confirmation of Registration" -- this document you get from
ETH via post when you register for a Semester. In this document, it
clearly states your name, degree, and the semester you have enrolled
for.

Now, in your case, if you are not registering for a semester (i.e.
taking a "Leave of Absensce") then I am not sure if you will get this
document. Of course, you don't need the document because you will be
outside Switzerland. But when you do decide to arrive here (i.e. when
you apply for your visa), you will have to ask ETH to provide you
"Confirmation of Registration" via post (because I believe you need it
for your visa too).

From the looks of it, you should "be ok"... because you aren't doing
anything against policy. Though, you certainly can't be the first one
to have deferred admission....




On Mon, Jul 21, 2014 at 9:27 PM, Mekonnen Tafari

[Mekonnen Tafari]

Again, thanks!

[Ruchik Yajnik]

From What I understand the student residency permit, which is a 'B' permit is valid for 1 year. The 6 month permit is an "D" permit.

Furthermore, I would urge you take the admission offer for a couple of reasons:

1. ETH is competitive, very competitive and chances are that if you re-apply you may not be considered as they may find a better candidate.

2. Your plan is a long shot and quite risky, I would really not advise that.

3. By staying on as a registered student and not attending classes you deny the chance to someone who has the means to come and stay in Zurich and complete the degree program.

4. It's always a good policy to not mess with immigration. Please make sure with your department if whether or not your plan can work.

I would urge you to pay attention to point 3. If you can't attend, the right thing to do is to step aside and let someone else have a shot at it. Just my personal opinion.

Regards,

Ruchik S. Yajnik
Overseas B.Sc. Attachment Student

National University of Singapore - Cancer Science Institute

[Imran Fanaswala]

> 3. By staying on as a registered student and not attending classes you deny the chance to someone who has the means to come and stay in Zurich and complete the degree program.

This is a very valid point. Though, playing the devil's advocate, ETH
has already allocated a spot to this student -- and its not likely
they will overturn an earlier rejection if this student decides to
decline the offer.

[Saurabh Sant]

Dear Mekonnen, 

There are few more issues. About the courses. Some of the specialization programs require some "prerequisite courses". You have to register for these courses and their exams in FIRST YEAR of your studies. So if you plan to take a leave for one year, you violate the above rule. In that case, ETH simply fails you in the entire degree program. Make sure your specialization program does not require any prerequisites or they don't have any such rule.

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* Please search archives in group website before asking questions
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[Siddharth Sarda]

There are waiting lists for this particular reason (You were good, but others were better, but if they don't want me, I will be happy with you.)