> many students get a PhD in just three years Yep, that's the way it is in France too. Having said that though, it should be noted that a PhD is preceded by a

> many students get a PhD in just three years Yep, that's the way it is in France too. Having said that though, it should be noted that a PhD is preceded by an (often independent) MSc degree, so comparing a 5 year (?) US grad school program after just a BSc to a 3-4 yr European PhD isn't quite comparing apples with apples.