I’d defend a version of claim (1): My understanding is that to a greater extent than anywhere else, top French students wanting to concentrate in STEM subjects must take rigorous math coursework from 18-20. In my one year experience in the French system, I also felt that there was a greater cultural weight and institutionalized preference (via course requirements and choice of content) for theoretical topics in ML compared to US universities.
I know little about ENS, but somewhat doubt that it’s as significantly different of an experience from US/UK counterparts.
I’d defend a version of claim (1): My understanding is that to a greater extent than anywhere else, top French students wanting to concentrate in STEM subjects must take rigorous math coursework from 18-20. In my one year experience in the French system, I also felt that there was a greater cultural weight and institutionalized preference (via course requirements and choice of content) for theoretical topics in ML compared to US universities.
I know little about ENS, but somewhat doubt that it’s as significantly different of an experience from US/UK counterparts.
Certainly for many/most other subjects the French system is not so good. E.g. for ML all that theory is mostly a waste.