答案：1. A platform for acquiring specialized knowledge, fostering critical thinking, and building social networks to prepare for future career development. 2. Advantages: (1) Systematic mastery of foundational and specialized knowledge; (2) Access to professional teachers who provide targeted guidance; (3) Exposure to a competitive environment that promotes self-improvement; (4) Opportunities to interact with peers with similar learning experiences. Disadvantages: (1) Overemphasis on uniformity which may neglect individual differences; (2) Difficulty for students with special talents to fully exploit their potential due to standardized curricula.
