Student allocation protocol
The process of application, selection, and admission has nine steps, beginning with the student’s online application.
Application by the student
Students connect to www.nplusi.com
The online application process is confidential, in accordance with the rules of the French commission on freedom and information technology (CNIL).
Students choose a personal “n+i” ID and password to begin compiling a personal application form—and to revise that form and access “n+i” news.
The “n+i” Web site confirms the ID and password chosen by the student and authorizes the student to continue using the site.
Note: Application forms submitted by post or e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of an online application.
Note: Students may return to the site to complete their application form as many times as they wish—until the deadline for submission.
Students must support their application by mailing, to the address specified by “n+i,” certified true copies of the documents required to evaluate the accuracy and completeness of the online application. (See list of documents in application form.). Applications will not be reviewed until all supporting documents, duly signed and certified, have been received.
Students are able to track the progress of their online application and of the receipt of their supporting documents by logging in to the “n+i” site.
On the site, students are informed of deadlines for submission of applications and supporting documents.
Evaluation of application files
As soon as “n+i” determines that an online application is complete and consistent with the supporting documents provided by the student, “n+i” electronically seals the digital application. The student may still read the file, but he or she may make no further changes to it. Simultaneously, the file is made available to “n+i” member institutions—schools, universities, firms, regional authorities, and grant-making organizations.
The sufficiency of applications and the value accorded to degrees, diplomas, credits, and grades are determined by a committee of representatives of member schools and programs. The decisions of the committee are final and are not subject to review or appeal.
The sooner an application is completed (online plus supporting documents), the sooner it can be reviewed and made available to schools and other “n+i” member institutions, including firms, regional authorities, and other potential sources of financial aid. The more time schools and other members have to look for financial aid, the more likely they are to be able to assist students.
Selection by the “n+i” network
To access the database of student applications, institutions request and receive from “n+i” a free access code (login) and password.
Institutions have continuous access to vetted applications and may draft responses to those that interest them, noting possible amounts of financial aid.
Institutions are asked to place the students whom they hope to recruit in categories corresponding to the major engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, chemical, and so on).
Institutions are free to modify their choices at any time and to view the cumulative results of their selections. During this phase, students have no access to the institutional selections.
On the other hand, each school knows, in real time, whether a given student is being recruited by other schools.
On the deadline set by “n+i,” the selection process is frozen. Immediately thereafter, students are given access to the institutional selection lists. Students do not have access to the priority ranking that the schools assign to students.
Schools must confirm their selections by printing the list from the site, signing it, and sending it to “n+i.”
Students may then log in to view the list of schools and programs that have accepted them.
To help students make their decisions, an estimate of academic costs and living expenses is provided for each school.
Student choices
Students have only a few days to rank their choices (eliminating those in which they are definitely not interested) and submit their list to the site. Students’ choices are deemed final on the deadline set by "n+i."
Students agree to enrol in one of the institutions they list. “n+i” agrees to make every effort to honour students’ preferences.
Allocation among schools
“n+i” will match students with schools during a general assembly of the network.
Scholarships and grants
In early April, students may access their account and view:
§ The list of institutions that have selected them.
§ Tuition, fees, and cost of living at each institution.
§ Results of the search for scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid.
§ Results of the competition for Eiffel scholarships will be posted in late April.
§ At this stage, students must confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission by letter and e-mail to “n+i.”
Enrolment
Students receive from "n+i" a letter of admission on behalf of the institution whose offer they have accepted. The offer remains conditional pending payment of tuition and fees, as indicated on the invoice accompanying the letter of admission. Students must pay their tuition and obtain a receipt for payment before applying for their visa.
At this stage, “n+i” also sends students practical information on life in
Applying for a visa and preparing for departure
Upon receipt of the student’s tuition payment, “n+i” sends a receipt, which the student must show when applying for a visa.
Armed with their letter of admission and receipt for payment of tuition, students apply for a student visa at the nearest French consulate. Students should advise the consular officer that they have been accepted into the “n+i” program.
Students must pass a test of proficiency in French (TEF or TCF) before departure.
Note: The student’s score on the test of French proficiency has no effect on the student’s acceptance, but it does allow “n+i” to identify an appropriate intensive summer course in French.
Students must inform "n+i" of their travel plans—date, airline, flight number, airport and terminal.
Students taking an intensive summer course in French must arrive between July 16 and 19, 2003. Other students must arrive between September 11 and 14.
Greeting
Students are met upon arrival in
“n+i” sponsors a four-day “Welcome to
On July, students taking intensive French are escorted to their course location.
On September, all students are taken to the location of their transition semester.