Facts are undeniable. School is what you make of it. Especially undergraduate. I would recommend a student attend the institution where he/she can succeed the most. In otherwords have the largest impact in terms of grades, relationships, activities, research etc. It’s been widely proven that attending a “top notch” (I assume you mean an IVY) far from gtd success. Frankly, in 99% of the cases that is simply not the IVY school. Its’ MUCH better to be a bigger fish in a small pond and have 100% of that ponds resources really pulling for your success. Go for the top notch graduate school.