The Path of Excellence

Sophie's parents own a farm, where she helps out a lot and also does the calculations for the application for the hoped-for government subsidies. Sophie is very talented at math. When asked what she wants to study after graduating from high school, she naturally answers agricultural science. But her math teacher convinces first her and then her parents that studying at an elite university could open the door to a great career. She has what it takes. First, she has to pass the preparatory class: two years of cramming around the clock under great pressure. Thanks to her grades, Sophie makes it into the most demanding of these classes, the math and science class. But as a girl from the countryside surrounded by wealthy students from privileged families, she feels out of place at the elite institution. Is the challenge too great overall, even with the workload? Fortunately, Sophie's fellow student Diane is there to support her and study with her. When Diane, who seems to have a natural gift for everything, drops out of school, Sophie falls into a crisis.