I'm surprised to hear that. It never hurts to be the best, but in my experience all the top-10 (or even top-25) programs are quite competitive. My research and

I'm surprised to hear that. It never hurts to be the best, but in my experience all the top-10 (or even top-25) programs are quite competitive. My research and summer internship opportunities were just as 'cool' as at any other program, at least in my opinion. I've always found that my degree got my foot in the door, after that it was my research experience, internships and performance in interviews/code tests. I went to a top-25 non-ivy.