<p>OP: “Quantity Has a Quality All Its Own”. It’s an old expression but I think it applies to your original question. You are going to find top students at all kinds of schools, and just looking at numbers you may have more top students at a large state school, while the percentage of top students might be more at an an Ivy, or other top private. </p>
<p>And the secret to success at all schools is still the same - work your buttocks off to do the best you can, and be in the right place at the right time which can help you down the career path you want to go. Good luck, and work hard to make your own breaks.</p>