<p>Some things about that link above are nice to read (I have read this before), and others make me cringe. In particular, I recall a line about how some guy presented ideas that most people at the school wouldn’t understand, and this guy’s application was deferred on that basis. Now I don’t know if this whole thing is realistic, but that’s one of the types of things that I’d hope not to be true. </p>
<p>As for your question OP, the reason I think standing out from your school will be a good thing is that it could send the message that you really have a special energy and passion, and perhaps this would make you more likely to come to a great school and actually use its resources. One of the things I would hope admissions officers look for is not for high achievement, but evidence that the given individual really will make his/her admission to the school “worth it” – i.e. that they will really make something of their years that draws something unique from the given high caliber school. </p>
<p>If this were graduate school, I would generally say coming from a good school is a huge advantage, because the criteria for admission are purely academic, and what you do at a good school typically means more.</p>