Looks good on paper. The record is strong, but the person is not yet proven in practice.
Foot in the door. A first entry into an organization that can lead to more.
Name-brand school. A university that employers recognize at once.
Résumé builder. A job or activity chosen mainly because it looks good on a résumé.
Book smart, street smart. Knowledge from study, and knowledge from experience.
Prove yourself. Show by the work that the confidence was justified.