This article is intended for ESBS candidates eligible on file and interview (remember L2/L3, BTS and DUT).
Once your application file is completed and sent within the deadlines indicated, it will be submitted for examination by the educational commission. If it matches the school’s selection criteria, you will be invited by mail to an individual interview.

NB: If you are admitted to the interviews, follow us on our networks to be kept informed.

• For what ?

The individual interview is intended to establish an initial contact between the candidate and members of the ESBS teaching team. Establishing a dialogue mainly makes it possible to test the candidate’s motivations for joining a biotechnology engineering school and to better understand their profile as an individual, as well as to verify a certain level of knowledge of science and languages ​​of the latter. All of these points are designed in the interest of the candidate; they make it possible to check whether the school corresponds both to his expectations in terms of training, and whether his abilities at entry give him the necessary weapons to succeed within it.

• When ?

ESBS interviews commonly take place at the end of June, the precise date varies depending on the year. The invitation concerns the candidates whose application has been accepted, and is done by mail via the school. You will have a response a few days after the interview.

• Where ?

The interviews take place on the premises of the ESBS itself. If you are not from Strasbourg, do not hesitate to arrive in Strasbourg the day before.

NB: if you are unavailable for your work or as part of an internship, you can carry out your interview remotely.

• Pre-interviews

Every year, ESBS students organize pre-interviews to prepare you for the real ones. They generally take place the weekend before, by video. We take up the questions that were asked and give some little advice!

NB: If you are admitted to the interviews, follow us on our networks to be kept informed.

• Organization of interviews

Candidates are invited by mail on a specific date and time slot for their interview. The Association will be there to support you.

Concerning the interview itself, it is a DOUBLE interview: the candidate successively meets two pairs made up of teachers from the school and takes place in two different rooms. The duration of the interview may vary from one candidate to another, but is generally around 10 minutes per “half jury”.
Note: There may be a small delay between the two interviews.

NB: For the year 2022-2023, we noticed that 1 jury asked difficult questions of a general nature (if after the interview you have the feeling of being worthless, don’t panic, it’s normal) and that the other jury asked more personal questions, focused on your personality and your hobbits.

• Potential questions

Above all, it is important to realize that an interview remains a unique experience: the following information is intended to give candidates a taste of things to come, but should in no case be taken at face value:

*Personal presentation (background, professional expectations, etc.)

*Biotechnologies (sectors, news, companies, possible publications, etc.)

*The profession of engineer

*ESBS (after all, you are not here by chance)

*General knowledge questions on biology, chemistry, etc…

*Question about current news

Notes: The interview generally takes place in French. However, depending on your background, you may be asked to express yourself in English and/or German. However, we remind you that language level is not a selection criterion strictly speaking in our school. In fact, even if it seems difficult to you, don’t worry too much. Keep calm, stay confident and do your best!

• Interviews: our advice

Having experienced these same stages, ESBS students are happy to be able to be present to provide you with some wise advice. The pre-interview evening is entirely dedicated to this type of welcome, as is our presence on site during the interview day. In order to approach your interview with peace of mind, here is a non-exhaustive list of short general tips, from students to candidates: “An interview needs to be prepared! »

*If you have never been faced with an interview, do not hesitate to watch videos on Youtube such as Interview for an engineering school.

*Don’t hesitate to practice speaking continuously. This is obviously a formal dialogue, but you are expected to be eloquent and confident in your speech once the question is asked, without necessarily having to remind you at the end of each sentence.

*An interview should be a mixture of spontaneity and advance work. Stay yourself, and don’t forget the message you want to convey, regardless of the atmosphere established (Some teachers will try to destabilize you by looking out the window or writing on a sheet of paper. If a question is difficult, or unexpected, it is a voluntary approach.).

*Don’t slack off between two successive interviews, no matter how the first one went. Even if you feel like you are repeating yourself, remember that your two new contacts will not have heard anything from your first interview, and that you will have to be just as convincing.

*Personal advice: When the interview ends and the jury asks you “Do you have any questions”, NEVER SAY NO. Prepare a question in advance that may surprise you. Example: If possible, I would like to know what you think of my application. I would like to know if you still have any doubts, and if so I would be happy to discuss them with you.”

*Avoid: being disconcerted, being overconfident, lying!

*Stay: smiling, open-minded, curious, and above all true to yourself.

*For more information, or personalized advice, do not hesitate to contact us on social networks and come to the pre-interview evening!

• Application on file: the results

The results will be published on the ESBS website and by email, a few days after the interviews (the date will be specified to you). They are provided in the form of two admission lists:

The main list

It contains around twenty names of candidates admitted on application + interview. These candidates are officially authorized to register at ESBS, and must confirm their desire to join the school as soon as possible via a reply coupon which will be sent to them by mail.

The waiting list

The names on this list are listed in numerical order (1 to 10). The number associated with each name corresponds to its rank on the waiting list. Thus, if a candidate admitted to the main list waives their right to register in the school, their place will be offered to the first candidate on the waiting list (1), and so on, until the number of those admitted to the main list is completed again.
Each year, the number of students admitted via waiting list varies considerably. It is therefore important for the candidates concerned to remain hopeful despite everything, and to remain ready to take the necessary steps for registration if the school contacts them to announce the good news!

NB: For the year 2022-2023, a jury assured us that generally, the first 5 of the waiting list were certainly taken at ESBS, because of withdrawals. If ESBS is your first choice, and you are not selected, don’t lose hope and don’t hesitate to try your luck again the following year! Each year, candidates are admitted to the main list after having experienced the waiting list the previous year… So courage!