List of elite US students said to be doing well (2,1,4)
I believe the answer is:
on a roll
'be doing well' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'list of elite us students said' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'list' could be 'roll' (roll is a kind of list) and 'roll' is found in the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'na' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for on a roll that I've seen before include "Butter may be seen here" , "Going through a good patch" , "spread may be smeared thus" , "Enjoying a winning streak" , "enjoying continuing success" .)