All the while research indicated that you will most likely be more successful long term if you are one of these students and choose to go to a less prestiges school where you are in the top 2% versus going to one of the ivy league schools and being in the middle 50th or even the top quartile. Why are people trying to get in these school's again???
I have seen studies that show those rejected from the highly selective schools do as well as those accepted, but have not seen that they do better. Can you share a link?
As to why, I think some gifted people (me for instance) are at their best when around other gifted people, even if they are no longer the smartest person around. I have accomplished much more at work, and been more satisfied, when working with other smart people. During the times when that wasn't the case, I tended to coast.
