It's been a few decades since I've been around academia, but at least back then the secret (if you needed scholarships) seemed to be looking for well-run Honors programs at universities which were otherwise a couple academic notches below your own level. That would also get you a lot more individual attention from professors who cared about students and teaching.

And clearly personalized letters of recommendation from prof's who actually knew you might count far more than the "John was an average student in my huge class" letters you could get at some university where you just squeaked in the door.

Is anyone familiar, to know if this game plan still works?