[BenoitP]

I see what you mean. In my country (France) we have the same system; except for preparatory schools, which are rigth after high school.

And let me tell you those are two different worlds. My first year professor actually began the year by saying "What you have been doing so far is not math. I'll show you math". At the first test, he said: "I like you guys, you make a nice gaussian curve. Ahem, well, the curve is centered around 20%". The class was full of people who had been in the top 3 all years so far. It was not pretty. It was not surprising either, as his tests were designed so that when a student gets 90% or more, he makes it more difficult for the next year.

My second professor was a huge control freak. He had been in the same class as someone who is now a Fields medallist. He knew where you were in the understanding of his course. And he would be relentless in pushing you, in a gentle but unforgiving manner. Oh the self-guilt when you were not studying. I had nightmares/dreams about him or his tests up to three years later.

All in all, it was worth it. I met people I know I will respect and be respected by for the next 40 years.