There are a few top students at a random state school that are just as good. The difference is that there are just many, many more good students in an Ivy Leagu

There are a few top students at a random state school that are just as good. The difference is that there are just many, many more good students in an Ivy League institution. Also, the Ivy League students just have a much better education. You can tell by interviewing the bad Ivy League students and noticing that at least their thinking process is structured (try to understand problem, form hypothesis, etc...) The bad students at non Ivy League level schools have no thinking process. It's saddening. You can tell that the few top students at the random state school would be even better if they had the opportunities that the Ivy League students are provided. It's much more impressive to get to third base starting from home than getting to home starting from third base. It shows independent thought, grit, and adaptability. Those aren't that common even at the Ivy League institutions. The trait most prevalent in Ivy League interviews seems to be excellence in a circumscribed area rather than general ingenuity.