“Sounds a lot like the British attitude to Oxbridge – as if its some kind of mythical place where only super-clever people go…In the UK, though, your university career tends to disappear as a form of reference and definition by the time you’re in your mid-20s”

first, i graduated from Cambridge and am now at Sciences Po, i never publicly advertise this, but since it is an anonymous post i won’t feel like a pompous ass. Sci-Po is incredibly warm and friendly. the problem is that international students mostly take the international programs filled with annoying kids and then they have zero opportunity to mix with the realy Frenchies, unless in sports. i switched degrees and am now in a French track with the ‘natives’ so to speak and they really are MUCH MUCH friendlier than one would ever think. they are not snobby or arrogant, of course you have the occasional prat, just like everyone else in the world, i’ve met a bigger asshole on the metro and i bashed his head in;) so come with an open mind. as for being ‘utterly-hot’ you really have to dress better here, it’s Paris for god’s sakes so take off your sweat pants and put on something stylish because that’s everyday life here, people eat well and look good everyday, not just on special occasions. as for oxbridge, actually it does matter where you go, and no it does NOT disappear as a point of reference ever, in fact 60 something year olds still hold it as a reference, and yes i must admit i did meet those super clever people there, in fact the greatest genius i have ever met i encountered there. however, the fact of life remains that the humblest people are oft the most talented and true intelligence is never awarded through privilege or a fancy diploma, rather it’s a testament of hard work and sheer determination. they are both stellar unis but if you don’t go there, it doesn’t mean much, a lotta clever kids live in the ghettos of Bangladesh and microfinancing wasn’t proposed by an economist from Harvard. so open your mind, quit calling people arrogant (they really aren’t) and don’t worry about elitism, just work hard and let life throw you a curve ball, if you can handle it, you’ll climb…and if you can’t then you’ll just grumble about others being privileged prats.