dallas808

zuzu, I applaud your determination to continue your study. The short answer to your question is going to a school like Eastern will not diminish your chance of getting admitted to top grad schools. But you may be interested in this story. Someone in my family went to a 4th-tier state school. He graduated with 4.0 major GPA, great LORs and one low-key publication. He was invited to interview in some of the top PhD programs and was eventually turned down by all. Fortunately, his professors used their connection to place him in a masters program at an Ivy grad school where he is happily pursuing his PhD (after getting a Science publication under his belt).

After getting involved with the admission/recruiting process in his department, it is clear to him that his supposedly-"top-notch" undergrad experience was simply sub-par compared those from HYP-like schools. Prestige is definitely overrated. However, the professors at top schools tend to do a better job advising and preparing their students for grad schools. In many competitive programs, hundreds of applicants apply for 10-20 funded PhD slots every year so excellent grades and scores alone don't cut it.

What does that mean to you if you choose Eastern?

First, be realistic. Either aim lower or prepare to use a stepping stone (a masters in a top school) to reach your "dream". Second, don't get discouraged if your peers (or even faculty) may not appreciate your lofty goal to attend a top graduate school (as it happened to my family member). Third, start building a relationship with faculty at your intended grad schools. Fourth, make sure your spouse is very supportive.