TestMagic Forums - View Single Post - At what point does undergrad reputation hurt you?

pookie bear · 07-08-2008, 11:17 PM

I've read through the forums and there seems to be a lot of anecdotal/hearsay evidence that claims your undergrads reputation is very important. Anyways, I thought I would start a discussion on the matter.

I've heard of a few schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT) that have very few admits from lower ranked undergrad institutions. My question to you guys is, in your opinion, ceterus paribus, at what point does your undergraduate institution become a hinderance?

Also, at what point does it not really matter? Are you really seen any different if you go to UC-davis instead of Virginia Tech?

Do the top 5 start discounting you if you come from 25+ school? Is it only after your school is out of the top 50 that they start to grade you down? top 100? What is the marginal benefit to going to a 20-30 school vs. going to just a top 100 school?

Do the "2nd tier" programs (UCLA, Columbia, Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland...) have similar practices?

Discuss...

07-08-2008, 11:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
pookie bear Eager! Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 84	At what point does undergrad reputation hurt you? I've read through the forums and there seems to be a lot of anecdotal/hearsay evidence that claims your undergrads reputation is very important. Anyways, I thought I would start a discussion on the matter. I've heard of a few schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT) that have very few admits from lower ranked undergrad institutions. My question to you guys is, in your opinion, ceterus paribus, at what point does your undergraduate institution become a hinderance? Also, at what point does it not really matter? Are you really seen any different if you go to UC-davis instead of Virginia Tech? Do the top 5 start discounting you if you come from 25+ school? Is it only after your school is out of the top 50 that they start to grade you down? top 100? What is the marginal benefit to going to a 20-30 school vs. going to just a top 100 school? Do the "2nd tier" programs (UCLA, Columbia, Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland...) have similar practices? Discuss...