Pallavi92

Hello! I'm 21, studying a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering undergraduate course and will be graduating next year around this time. I plan to study further (Masters) and am only looking at universities in Europe, specifically Germany and Switzerland. I have an idea about the admission requirements to universities in the USA because most of my classmates plan to apply to American universities only. I chose Europe mostly because I believe the tuition fees, living and travelling expenses put together will cost me less than the USA. Also, I have read that there is a demand for electrical engineers in Europe. But above all, I love Europe! I love travelling and have always dreamed of exploring several countries there. Now, I don't have anyone here to enlighten me regarding the admission procedures and requirements for universities in Europe. I recently spoke to an admissions counselor here and she told me that admission to universities in Germany and Switzerland is extremely difficult and there is no job guarantee after completion of grad school because most companies only prefer students from their own country. Here's more about me: I will have written GRE and ToEFL by last week of August this year and wish to apply for the next academic year. I plan to join Goethe Institut in my city and will have completed the A1 level German exam by December. I don't have a very good CGPA going by the fast 5-semester scores. 6th semester results aren't out yet and I have 2 more semesters to go, but I'm not sure if the scores of 7th and 8th semesters will be out while I'm applying. As of now my average GPA is ~7.6 on a scale of 10, while the batch topper's average GPA is ~9. I don't have a research paper to my credit yet and I'm working on a mini project, which will be completed before the mandatory final-semester project, the latter being part of the curriculum. Here's what I want to know: Requirements for admission to the TU9 universities and other universities of applied sciences in Germany and a couple of universities in Switzerland (think ETH Zurich and EPFL). The quality of education and the language barrier. Being from India, should I worry about getting along with students in these countries? I'm aware a lot of courses are taught entirely in English, but my question is inclined towards the attitude of the German-speaking crowd towards newcomers. The cost of studying and living in Germany and Switzerland. Job guarantee after graduation. Is it true that most companies prefer EU applicants over foreigners? I plan to move to Europe on a permanent basis, so this is important. Everything else I should know about studying and moving to these countries. I have another major concern. I could not clear one paper in the 4th semester and am clearing it only now (6th semester). Meaning, I failed an exam which I reappeared for a year later. How much effect will this have on my chances of getting admission? While applying to universities in the USA, arrears or backlogs are overlooked provided other criteria like GRE and ToEFL scores, extra-curricular activities and project presentations stand out. Can I hope for the same from universities in Europe? The counselor, in India, whom I spoke to said that universities in Europe only look into the applicants academic performance and GRE and ToEFL hardly matter. It was rather heart-breaking and led me to reconsidering applying to universities in USA alone. Sorry about the long wall of text but, well, I do have these many doubts! I'm not too sure if this is the right place but I did not come across any other of its kind either. Is there anyone here who moved to Europe for Masters from India or is planning to? Thank you for reading. If posting here was a mistake, I would like someone to let me know where I can raise these doubts! As for those who'd suggest I check websites of individual universities I wish to apply to, I am mostly concerned if my background is even good enough for ANY university in Germany and Switzerland.