If you're ever torn between the ENS and other engineering schools, choose ENS Paris-Saclay! I personally spent my best years as a student there, and if you love science, you'll be in great hands with some amazing professors!
Why Choose ENS Paris-Saclay and the Mechanical Engineering Department?
While preparing for the entrance exam for ENS Paris-Saclay, my goal was to pass the agrégation and become a teacher. This decision was influenced by my CPGE teachers, whom I hoped to join later after graduating from ENS! My decision to pursue the first year of the SAPHIRE program and then the DER in Mechanical Engineering was based on the topics covered in the coursework, which focused on scientific concepts that interested me and their practical industrial applications.
What was your experience like in the Mechanical Engineering DER program?
Academic Background
I followed a fairly standard academic path: SAPHIRE, M1 in MIP, M2 in FESUP (agrégation, 12th place), and finally an M2 in biomechanics research.
Why did you choose an M2 in FESUP?
When I entered the ENS, I wanted to become a teacher someday, specifically in higher education. Choosing the M2 FESUP program, which includes preparation for the agrégation exam, was therefore a completely natural decision, given the excellent preparation for this exam offered by ENS Paris-Saclay.
What did I gain from this year?
The M2 FESUP program allowed me to review all the concepts covered in high school mechanics (since I had studied them in Engineering Sciences during my junior and senior years) up through the M1. In addition to a comprehensive review, the M2 FESUP program also delves deeper into the subject matter, which now allows me, in my role as a CPGE instructor, to have a broad overview of engineering sciences from both theoretical and experimental perspectives. Furthermore, the M2 FESUP program instills a rigorous approach to analyzing reference frameworks and structuring course content—which is obviously essential for a teacher!
What stands out to you from your time at DER GM?
The Mechanical Engineering DER program is very comprehensive, with faculty members who are highly qualified in both scientific and pedagogical areas, and a close connection between research and teaching. The extensive industrial facilities are also a major strength of the program, especially for the M1 MIP track, which I completed and which fosters a broad perspective on the practical applications of mechanical engineering.
You have a doctorate—what was the topic of your dissertation?
My thesis focused on concussions, which are a set of brain injuries resulting from an impact—injuries that are not visible on imaging scans and are very common in sports. One approach to medically identifying concussions is to use a digital model that replicates the brain’s mechanical behavior. The goal of my dissertation was to propose an alternative method for evaluating these digital models using 3D-printed models, rather than relying on postmortem human specimens.
How does your education contribute to your daily life?
My training at the ENS has enabled me to organize my work as a teacher effectively—whether it involves writing teaching materials, reviewing syllabi (which can be challenging at first), or leading classes. Furthermore, the high-quality science education I received at the ENS has given me a solid grasp of the CPGE curriculum and enables me to best assist students with their questions on a daily basis.