higher score at Toefl, GRE? -- that's only the entrance for the university. many local person cannot get such good mark compare with Chinese, but they speak and THINK in English, how about Chinese? ur US. classmates make no diff. with u.
otherwise, higher degree? -- that doesn't make sense too. many guys remain in the US. university just because they cannot find suitable job if they go outside the campus. even they get higher and higher degree, it's still not the right way.

the respect is not based on the degree and language, that's only tools. we immi. to CA, struggle from the bottom, live on out own hands, we are same excellent as any other ones.

come on man. think about this question is stupid. no one can give the definition to 'excellent'. i AM excellent, hope u consider the same way to yourself too.