<p>I think people are more inclined to say #2. I think I read about this in a blog… “Accomplishments that are hard to explain can be much more impressive than accomplishments that are simply hard to do.”</p>
<p>From [How</a> to Get Into Stanford with B’s on Your Transcript: Failed Simulations & the Surprising Psychology of Impressiveness](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2010/03/26/how-to-get-into-stanford-with-bs-on-your-transcript-failed-simulations-the-surprising-psychology-of-impressiveness]How”>How to Get Into Stanford with B's on Your Transcript: Failed Simulations & the Surprising Psychology of Impressiveness - Cal Newport)</p>
<p>But I agree with boysx3, both are well qualified.</p>